Start Listening To: Henry Webb-Jenkins
The North London songwriter on fast, live recording, building the right band around him, and keeping things grounded in country tradition.
North London’s Henry Webb-Jenkins keeps things simple, honest and rooted in tradition. Drawing heavily from country and Americana, his latest EP HANK captures a live, unpolished energy, shaped as much by tight studio time as it is by the band he’s built around him. We caught up with Henry to talk about recording quickly, heartbreak as a songwriting staple, and why sometimes good really is better than great.
For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?
My name is Henry Webb-Jenkins, I’m from North London, Crouch End. The music I make is very influenced by Country and Americana.
What was the inspiration behind the title of your latest EP, HANK, and how does it reflect the themes within the music?
I was touring with a band called Swimmers before Covid-19, they were from Oakland, California and always called me Hank. I thought it was short, snappy, and suited the EP well.
Can you share some details about your recording process at Snap Studios and how it influenced the sound of this EP?
I wanted to get it done quickly, I’m very inspired by how they used to record music very quickly and quite live, like the Nashville Sessions where they’d do an album in 2-3 days. There are overdubs on this EP but it’s pretty much live. We only had two days to record it!
I think when you listen to it, it feels quite honest because of the time constraints and instead of experimenting in the studio we tested all the material at gigs beforehand. Recording felt pretty free flowing and easy. Snap is also a beautifully laid out studio with amazing equipment so I think that really helped with the work flow.
How did collaborating with Jonah Winslet, Adrian Woodward, and Clem Appleby shape the final sound of HANK compared to your previous work?
We all come from very different worlds but all love this sort of music. I’m very much into 90s country - people like Alan Jackson and George Strait. Jonah’s a big metal head, he’s good on a double kick pedal and likes some roaring. Clem is the most talented person I’ve ever met and is very underrated in what he does, his musical knowledge and opinions are always spot on. Adrian is an incredibly talented guitar player and teacher and runs a YouTube channel called Anyone Can Play Guitar. It’s the best band that I’ve had. It feels as if the sound of this EP grew with this band just by playing both covers and originals at gigs and we learned a lot more about how to structure the types of songs I wanted to make.
Are there any specific stories or experiences that influenced the songwriting on tracks like 'Lose You' or 'Hope You’re The One'?
They’re both based on relationships going wrong. I like and listen to a lot of songs about heartbreak and all that good stuff. The songs have grown over time, but they’re both very much based on lost hope.
What role do visuals play in your music?
I never want to make a music video ever again in my life.
How do you typically prepare for live performances, and what can fans expect when they see you on stage this year?
I try to throw some surprises in there, like a cover that I really want to play or new and unfinished songs to test the waters. We’ll usually rehearse and make sure we do the best set we can. I will usually have a couple beers or a cheeky tequila before stage to liven up the mood.
In what ways do you think your North London roots have influenced your music and the stories you tell through your lyrics?
I love North London but I’d say the UK as a whole has a bed of great artists that have influenced me - Graham Nash, Elvis Costello, the Rolling Stones. All those artists, even though they’re not strictly country bands. I love the community Haringey has to offer and I’ve met and am friends with a lot of great artists from there, however I would say I’m more influenced lyrically by personal experiences.
Can you describe your favourite moment from performing at venues like The 100 Club or The Shacklewell Arms?
I supported Jim White at the 100 Club, that was really amazing. I love his songwriting.
The Shacklewell Arms - I think it has the best sound of that sort of venue in the UK (that I’ve experienced). It's a real old school venue, and we need much more of that.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received as an artist?
Great is the enemy of good.
How do you engage with your local music community?
I teach kids guitar, which can be a bit painful sometimes but also very rewarding and fun. I work a lot with other artists, pedal steel and banjo, etc.I try and go to gigs as much as I can.
As a multi-instrumentalist, how do you decide which instruments to use for each song, and what do they add to your sound?
I write all my songs on guitar - that’s usually how the songs start off. When it comes to pedal steel, I see it very much as a lead instrument. I don’t write much on banjo but rather use it as a flavour for the sound.
What do you love right now?
Ice cold beer.
What do you hate right now?
Warm hot beer.
Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?
(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) by Lynyrd Skynyrd, I remember being in a supermarket when I was around 11 or 12 years old, I was big into AC/DC, Led Zeppling and bands like that - I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd on the shelf - I thought they looked similar to those bands so I thought “Let’s check that out” and I loved it. Great band.
When someone hears your music for the first time, what do you hope sticks with them?
I hope that people find solace in it in some way and resonate with it. I don’t write music about anything other than things that I’m seeing. I hope people can connect with that, and also see what goes into making music. It doesn’t just appear on streaming platforms out of nowhere, there’s a lot of work that goes into it. That side of it should be appreciated as well as the songs themselves.
