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Jonah Maddox (JonahMaddox.com) is a prime example of this breed of musician, 27-years in the making and he’s just about ready to bloom. With songs that essentially adopt a folk infused vibe with sincere lyrics that guarantee to send tingles in every which way. Then there’s his on stage presence – an element of cheeky charm that will get the most serious of sorts giggling like they were 13 again. This all immediately begs the question, ‘Why on earth hasn’t the music industry snapped up such a great talent sooner?’ Or perhaps Jonah has actually been swimming away from the jaws of the giant whale? Allowing his sound to develop creating a catalogue of songs that will come together to create an honest and brilliant album.

Just over a year of dedicated hard graft in the studio and 'Together We Are Taller' is here. Produced by Simon Walker, ex-fiddle player for Dexy’s Midnight Runners; this carefully crafted coming of age album was purposely grown organically with no involvement from any major labels. Jonah explains: “I spent every spare penny I had on the album and enlisted the help of kind and talented friends to work with.” This is where the title 'Together We Are Taller' came from and has manifested into Jonah's mantra since then.

Inspiration from Andy McKee and John Martyn shines through in full force in this moving 12 track album. After being knocked down by redundancy in March 2008, Jonah decided to focus his efforts on his lifelong passion and subsequently he began penning from scratch his debut record.

An album that is accessible to all, 'Together We Are Taller' addresses the issues that we all face day to day, financial frustration, the trials and tribulations of love and where our lives are heading. Jonah explains: “Half way through my twenties everything suddenly became a lot more serious and apparent. I was on a career path, whether I liked it or not; I was not earning very much, my love life suddenly went from being about the now to being about the future and it set me thinking. I think this is a point everyone reaches and I felt I had to cast my eyes from my feet to the horizon.”

'Together We Are Taller' draws you in from the first chord like an addictive book; the tale unearths from 'Fold' a song of hope and the expectancy of new beginnings. Soon it’s the 'End of Summer' a walk through the great outdoors allows us all to step out and gain some perspective when things are stacking up. Jonah’s journey to London takes him to 'French Place', featuring up and coming artist Jose Vanders, he finds solidarity in the history of the city’s streets during a murky winter. When the days are tough our 'Happy Places' lift us up and even when the odds seem set against him the strength of unity in family can conquer illness in 'A Sad Soul Can Kill Quicker Than A Germ'. On a final note, the story closes on 'Butter Stone', reflective and compelling the realisation of time passing before our dreams are fulfilled – it’s time to make that change and move forward.

01 Dia De La Genté

Jonah, Lee and Susie visit Kerry Devine at BBC Introducing in Cambridge.

Live BBC Radio Cambridge

French Place

Sad soul

Dia de la gente

newlsetter freebie

Pictures On Pillows

A song for those who wander....wonder?....wander and wonder

Jonah Maddox - Ballad for the Lost

I covered some classic songs for Rosie Fiore's play Through a Glass Darkly. They were fun!

Tainted Love

Money's Too Tight To Mention

Holiday

Eternal Flame

A song I wrote for the play Eurydice, directed by Sal Fulcher. She wanted a very very sad song with some references to the words and events from the play. This song is played as Eurydice's ticket into the afterlife. 
Writing sad songs is fun.

jonah_maddox

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