Writing, performing, producing, arranging, planning, wrangling – I like to do it all when it comes to music!
Since moving to Manchester in 2015, I’ve engrossed myself in the local scene here, playing hundreds of gigs, and developing close ties to the musicians here
I’ve done both writing and production work on EPs, singles, albums and music videos, as well as handling the publicity and marketing for all my own projects.
SCATTERCHILD
Role: Songwriter, Producer, Multi-instrumentalist, Management
Described as angular, emotional, or sometimes just ‘sad yelling’, Scatterchild is my primary music project. I take inspiration from the likes of Radiohead, Everything Everything, The Strokes and David Bowie. We create music that is urgent, exciting and direct.
2024 saw the release of our debut album An Everyday Landscape, supported by a UK tour with sold out shows, an album launch, four self-directed music videos and a string of eye-catching social media content. We are currently recording our second album, which has received funding from the GMCA Inspire Grant.
Our live show consists of guitar, drums, bass, cello, costumes, and even an old rotary phone retrofitted with a mic. We’ve quickly established a reputation for incredibly exciting performances that showcase the drama, quirky lyricism and musical ferocity of our core players.
Scatterchild is a project I spearhead, managing and co-ordinating all aspects including gigs, music videos, recording, producing, and wrangling as many opportunities as possible.
Quotes & Awards:
“Fantastic” – RGM
“One of Manchester’s most compelling and innovative acts” – The Pentatonic
“Manchester’s answer to Thom Yorke” – Sunday Best
”Soulful, intricate instrumentation” – Music Is To Blame
“A musical journey that transcends conventional boundaries” – Pure Mzine
Recipient of GMCA Inspire Fund 2025.
‘Staring Me Down’ awarded BBC Introducing Song of The Year in 2022
GREY: THE STORY OF LADY JANE GREY – MUSICAL
Role: Music Producer & Composer
GREY is a genre-bending one-woman historical drama with a modern, emotive soundtrack. Written by Laura-Rose Layden, it follows the nine-day queen, Lady Jane Grey, in the final hours before her execution. As dawn approaches, Jane reflects on the moments that led her to this fate, whilst battling the pull of sleep and the unknown horrors lurking within it.
Laura approached me to record and produce the music, as well as write some new pieces for the play. She wanted to take a contemporary, indie/electronica approach to the sound, referencing artists such as Radiohead, Nick Cave and Kate Bush (very much up my street!). The vast majority of the material was pre-written for piano, and so I fleshed out the arrangements with additional instrumentation, bringing the world of Jane to life through the music.
The show premiered in Manchester on 19th February 2025 with a two-date sellout run, and was a recipient of the ‘Keep It Fringe’ Funding Grant, presided over by Pheobe Waller-Bridge. GREY sold out its entire week-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe, and has received five-star reviews from Broadway Baby, as well as rave reviews from audiences who praised Laura’s captivating performances and the music which I produced.
“As soon as I started my project, I immediately knew I had to have Jay on the team and after working with him I’m so glad I did…I couldn’t have done it without him!”
Laura Rose Layden
It’s been an exciting collaboration, and the play is a fantastic study into the life of an oft-overlooked figure in Tudor history, whilst having a lot to say about women’s roles in contemporary society and power structures.
For more information about GREY, click here. Or follow their Instagram.
BONFIRE TIDE
Role: Songwriter, Guitarist, Recording engineer
Formed in the early days of 2020, Bonfire Tide’s music is emotionally fragile with dense, cinematic arrangements. Reminiscent of Bon Iver, The National and Arcade Fire, they released their debut album ‘Talk Of Being Saved’ in June 2025.
I was one of the primary songwriters for the project, as well as contributing vocals, guitar, keys and production across their discography. Particular highlights include songs ‘Dream Of It’, ‘Armour’ and ‘Burn The Sky’. I have also been a recording engineer for various parts of their debut album, particularly the bass and backing vocal parts.
“Jay has stood out as being an operator of the highest calibre in terms of professionalism, work ethic and the quality of his work”
Craig Gibson, Bonfire Tide
Additionally, being a very visual band with 2 award-winning videographers as members, I’ve been heavily involved in creating our music videos. This includes sourcing locations, props, extras, and being on-hand on to help direct movements and performances.
Notable achievements include playing The Great Escape in Brighton, supporting China Crisis at Manchester Academy, supporting James Holt at Trinity Church, and opening up the stage at Scruff Of The Neck’s Year’s End Fest.
Once Upon A Time In The North-West – FILM
Role: Composer, Music Producer
This short film follows a lone cowboy as he searches for meaning in the wilderness of North-West England. I was commissioned to score this comedy western, calling back to the likes of Django Unchained, but with a lighter, more comedic angle.
The producers cited classic westerns and Steely Dan as musical inspirations for this comedy short film, so I crafted a theme tune for main chracter Flint, interwoven throughout the score. As Flint gains confidence, his theme becomes stronger, more pronounced, more triumphant. A simple trick, but it worked wonders!
Jay was an integral piece of creating the world and story for our film: it was a highly rewarding experience to work with him.”
– Kaspar Jessett, Producer
The film is loaded with moments of very silly comedy and somber reflection, but the brief from the film’s producer Kasper was for the music to be earnest, playing on the seriousness with which the main character Flint takes his role as a cowboy.
It was a lot of fun to work on, and a great example of collaboration across multiple mediums.
‘Once Upon A Time In The North-West’ premiered at The Odeon in Manchester and is currently submitting to film festivals.
SECRETS & SQUEALS – FILM
Role: Composer, Music Producer
I was approached by MET Film School (formerly Manchester Screen & Film School) to compose a score for a short film. Secrets & Squeals tells the story of a young girl struggling with grief and insecurity…whilst wearing a huge inflatable pig costume. It’s a brilliantly made, very funny film that has genuinely heartfelt moments.
Due to having lost their previous composer, the turnaround for this was tight, and expectations high. I wrote, mixed and mastered the entire score independently, working closely with the production team to ensure their vision. The director pitched me a few ideas, in reference tonally to shows like ‘The Inbetweeners’ and ‘Skins’. As such, my score was quite indie-focused, with some more grandiose elements such as horns, strings and operatic vocals added to comedically amplify what was taking place on screen.
Case in point, this excerpt from the final film, in which main character Pippa comes up against a group of men with ill intent. I took inspiration from an old western stand-off, with a modern twist, to ramp up the silliness of this scene, whilst keeping the drama intact.
‘Secrets & Squeals’ had its premiere at The Odeon in Manchester and was screened at Bolton Film Festival in 2024.
Director: Sophie Waight. Screenplay: Dan Brookes. Story: Meagan Hutchinson. DOP: Keely Pickard. Editor: Mitch Allen
ADDITIONAL MUSIC CREDITS
Writing & Collaboration
Abi Til (2024): electric guitar and sample contributions on Being. Also acted as consultant on release strategy and wrote press releases for the album ‘Do It For Her’.
Theo Sayers (2024): synth and electric guitar contributions to Email Song from debut album ‘Ramen For Two’. Connected Spanish artist MOÉT with Sayers, leading to her vocal collaboration on the song.
Anyone’s Ghost (2023): piano and vocal contributions on Molotov, from their debut album Necromancer.
Mortal Tides (2016): electric guitar contributions across their debut album ‘Light In/Light Out‘, most notably on I Grow Cold, Shadows and Naiad II.
Production & Mixing
St Cloud (2025): produced mixed and contributed various performances to her debut EP ‘What Matters’.
Collabavirus: Isolate & Collaborate (2020)– executive producer and project co-ordinator for charity album project.
https://collabavirus.bandcamp.com/album/collabavirus-isolate-collaborate
Commissions
CREATE Music Ltd. (2022): Composed songs used by tutors to teach beginner guitar techniques to under 12.
https://www.facebook.com/wecreatemusic
Remixes (Various): produced, mixed and mastered remixes of songs by Everything Everything, Alicia Catling, Motor Tapes and The Seven Twenty.