{{short description|English singer-songwriter (born 1974)}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Jay Diggins | image = Jay Diggins 05.08.14.jpg | caption = Diggins performing in August 2014 | landscape = no | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1974|9|17}} | birth_place = Newark, Nottinghamshire, England | origin = Lancaster, Lancashire, England | genre = Alternative rock, folk rock, art rock | occupation = Singer songwriter, musician, producer | instrument = Voice, guitar, harmonica, bass, drums, organ, percussion | years_active = 2011–present | label = Ditto Music, Wyre Bank Records | website = {{URL|jaydiggins.com}} }}
'''Jay Diggins''' (born 17 September 1974) is an English singer-songwriter. He is best known for his work with John Parish<ref name=grace>Lakin, Nick. [http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/entertainment/gig-guide-if-you-fall-from-grace-1-5767945 "If you fall from grace..."], ''Lancaster Guardian'', Lancaster, 14 June 2013.</ref> and for turning down an opportunity to appear on the hit BBC One show ''The Voice''.<ref name=meet/> Height: 6’2
==Early life==
==Career== [[File:Jay diggins.jpg|thumb|right|Diggins playing a 12-string acoustic guitar]] He was taught how to perform in a band, by well-known music producer John Parish, in Yeovil, Somerset.<ref>Lakin, Nick. [http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/entertainment/two-bands-one-heart-1-5591594 "Two bands, one heart"], ''Lancaster Guardian'', Lancaster, 18 April 2013.</ref> He then spent two years learning how to record rock music at Parish's studios along with well-known English musician PJ Harvey.<ref>Plunkett, Sue. [http://www.garstangcourier.co.uk/what-s-on/music/debut-album-and-tour-for-scorton-singer-1-5999627 "Debut Album and Tour for Scorton Singer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054837/http://www.garstangcourier.co.uk/what-s-on/music/debut-album-and-tour-for-scorton-singer-1-5999627 |date=21 September 2013 }}, ''Garstang Courier'', Preston, 1 September 2013.</ref> He won a place on the world's first Popular Music Sound Recording course at Salford University. More than 200 times over-subscribed, the course was tutored by record producer Bill Leader.<ref>Plunkett, Sue. [http://www.garstangcourier.co.uk/what-s-on/music/debut-album-and-tour-for-scorton-singer-1-5999627 "Salford University Course 200 Times Oversubscribed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054837/http://www.garstangcourier.co.uk/what-s-on/music/debut-album-and-tour-for-scorton-singer-1-5999627 |date=21 September 2013 }}, ''Garstang Courier'', Preston, 1 September 2013.</ref> In 2011, he designed and built Wyrebank Studios.{{where|date=March 2014}}
In May 2013 he recorded "Fall From Grace" and "Ain't No", with John Parish at Toybox Studios in Bristol. The recordings were published online and this led to his music being discovered by BBC programme ''The Voice''. Diggins turned down an offer to appear on the show, however.<ref name=meet>Plunkett, Sue. [http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/big-interview-jay-diggins-1-6000576 "Meet the Scorton based singer/songwriter who turned down Jessie J!"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055037/http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/big-interview-jay-diggins-1-6000576 |date=21 September 2013 }}, ''Lancashire Evening Post'', Preston, 30 August 2013.</ref>
The two tracks received critical acclaim, with independent radio play and numerous full page reviews in the ''Lancaster Guardian'', ''Garstang Courier'', ''Lancashire Evening Post''. Diggins was special guest and performed a live acoustic set on 94.4 Salford City Radio,<ref>Salford City Radio. [http://podcast.canstream.co.uk/scr/index.php?date=2013-06-19 "The Joel Pantry Show"], ''Salford City Radio'', Gtr Manchester, 19 June 2013.</ref> before performing on the UK festival circuit.<ref>Lakin, Nick. [http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/fun-for-all-at-first-ever-festival-1-5935010 "Halton Festival"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055042/http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/fun-for-all-at-first-ever-festival-1-5935010 |date=21 September 2013 }}, ''Lancashire Evening Post'', Preston, 8 August 2013.</ref>
Diggins' debut album ''Searching'' was released on 20 September 2013, with a sold-out album launch at the Grand Theatre, Lancaster.<ref name=halton>Lakin, Nick. [http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/what-s-on/music/band-s-debut-album-launch-makes-for-a-grand-affair-1-6042937"Halton Festival"Band's Debut Album Launch Makes For A Grand Affair"], ''Lancaster Guardian'', Lancaster, 12 September 2013.</ref> The album was recorded at two separate studios: at ToyBox Studios in Bristol, in May 2013, for the tracks "Fall From Grace" and "Ain't No", featuring Diggins with John Parish<ref name=grace/> and at Wyrebank Studios for tracks "At Your Expense" and "She Longs for Yesterday", on which Diggins played a prototype Vox Continental organ, the only one known to be still in existence. Diggins used the same Vistalite Drums kit, that Michael Lee had used for the Jimmy Page and Robert Plant reunion tour. The album mastering was by John Dent and Jason Mitchell, who are noted for their work with Bob Marley.<ref name=halton/> Reviewing the album for ''The Lancaster Guardian'', Nick Lakin said, "It is an album greater than the sum of its parts, a rare find these days, and it's perhaps a shame that some of the tracks didn't last longer... Either way it is an accomplished piece of work, with a lot of depth and high production value, the drums, for me, standing out in particular."<ref name=lakin2>{{cite web|author=Nick Lakin |url=http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/what-s-on/music/album-review-jay-diggins-searching-1-6202522 |title=Album review: Jay Diggins – Searching |work=Lancaster Guardian |date=31 October 2013 |accessdate=18 July 2015}}</ref>
In 2014 Diggins returned to the Grand Theatre, Lancaster, and also performed at some large theatres supporting The Beautiful South at the Lyceum Theatre in Crewe and with Bruce Foxton's From The Jam at Buxton Opera House.<ref>Lakin, Nick. [http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/what-s-on/music/big-shows-on-the-way-1-6682533 "Big Shows On The Way"], ''Lancaster Guardian'', Lancaster, 19 June 2014.</ref>
During 2015, Diggins toured the UK with Mark Morriss of The Bluetones.<ref>Lakin, Nick. [http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/what-s-on/music/former-bluetones-frontman-joins-jay-for-special-grand-gig-1-6974904 "Former Bluetones frontman joins Jay for special Grand gig"], ''Lancaster Guardian'', Lancaster, 27 November 2014</ref><ref>Lakin, Nick. [http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/jay-makes-his-mark-with-bluetone-mark-1-7066295 "jay makes his mark with bluetone mark"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518103631/http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/music/jay-makes-his-mark-with-bluetone-mark-1-7066295 |date=18 May 2015 }}, ''Lancashire Evening Post'', Lancaster, 23 January 2015</ref><ref>Kirby, Daniel. [http://www.gigsoup.co.uk/reviews/gigs/bluetones-ritz-manchester-19th-september-2015-live-review/ "The Bluetones – The Ritz, Manchester"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514013020/http://www.gigsoup.co.uk/reviews/gigs/bluetones-ritz-manchester-19th-september-2015-live-review/ |date=14 May 2016 }}, ''Gig Soup'', Manchester, 9 October 2015</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External References== *{{URL|jaydiggins.com}}: official website *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140403091118/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/26c15f74-1b32-4ddc-bd4d-3073e0edaca5 Jay Diggins] at bbc.co.uk
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Diggins, Jay}} Category:1974 births Category:English male songwriters Category:Living people