This autumn, complete with the full backing of the band who bunkered up with him in Giant Wafer Studios earlier this year, Beans on Toast will be hitting the road once more for a 15-date ‘Double Trouble’ UK tour.
Every night, Beans will go to head to head with his Xtra Mile label mates SKINNY LISTER for these double billing shows throughout November and December. BEANS ON TOAST is also delighted to announce his forthcoming new album ‘Cushty’.
Skinny Lister Will be taking part in the Double Trouble tour with Beans on Toast
Ahead a forthcoming show at Cardiff Globe Andy Howells recently put questions to Beans on Toast AKA Jay McAllister
What lead you to decide you wanted to become a musician?
When I was in school I decided I wanted to be in a band and formed one with my mates before any of us could play or owned any sort of instrument. After grafting the band’s name all over school, i realised I needed to back it up with something, so I got a guitar and we formed three-piece grunge band, I started writing songs and haven’t stopped since.
Who are your music influences?
My favourite songwriters would be Todd Snider, Conor Oberst, Kate Tempest. And of course, the greats like Dylan, John Prine and Guy Clark. At the moment I have a slight obsession with UK MC Jan Baxter, he’s a lyric wizard and his words actually blow my mind. Which I guess is influential.
Can you tell us about your new release?
CUSHTY – is my 9th record. I gathered up some musical friends and we locked ourselves away for a week at Giant Wafer Studios, in the heart of the Welsh countryside. Was a brilliant time and we played down songs about The Future, Love, Teachers, Drinking, Thinking, Fracking and talking to the moon. It’s got honky tonk piano, Skinny flavoured accordion and some sexy fiddle. I’m very proud of it and can’t wait to get it out there.
If there’s a track that best defines you as an artist what is it and why?
If that song exists, I haven’t heard it yet. Sounds like a good idea for a song though, I’ll tackle it later tonight and let you know how I get on.
What can people expect from your forthcoming show at The Globe?
This is a very special show, I will be bringing along the musicians mentioned above and we’ll be playing songs from my whole back catalogue. Also playing our table mates and drinking buddies Skinny Lister, it’s a co headline thing and you’ll have a night of drinking, dancing, thinking and falling in Love.
What are you listening to presently?
I kind of touched on this above, but as well as Jam, there was a new Turnpike Troubadours record out this week, which is incredible and I’ve recently stumbled onto an artist called Johnny Fritz – who is brilliant.