John Harley Weston

Artist Information

Biography

All songs registered with APRA/AMCOS & PPCA (Affiliated with ASCAP in the USA). Film sync and master license contracts dealt with promptly. If you're a music/film/media professional and are unable to download these songs please email us and we'll authorise you.

As well as being a musician and songwriter John also works in the film industry as an Art Department Coordinator on major US and Australian film productions. So you can be guaranteed that any contractual needs will be dealt with professionally and promptly.


SOUNDS LIKE:
John Harley Weston's guitar-based rock is for authentic 'song' driven music lovers. Current album ‘Welcome Back To Reality’ John Harley Weston sounds like John Mellencamp & Bruce Springsteen's bands mixed with Paul Rodgers' soul, Gordon Lightfoot's subtleties, Bruce Cockburn's conscience, a subtle tone of vintage Neil Diamond (minus the bad taste in dinner jackets). And it's all wrapped in the pages of the Great Songwriting Handbook.


RECENT RESULTS:
Jan 2010 - John has just written (with long time guitarist Peter Devine) a song for Gold Coast United soccer team. They didn't ask us to write it...but it's a beauty and we hope they like it enough to get behind it! Paah, a football song!' I hear you say. Well, here in Australia sport is bigger than music so it's yet another kick in the right direction for award winning songwriter John Harley Weston. The song is currently in the hands of club executives and the word is they like it....keep you posted.


Nov 2009 - John is featured in a book called ‘Minstrels, Poets and Vagabonds’ written by Glasgow rock aficionado Robert Fields about 5 decades of rock music in Glasgow, Scotland. The foreword is by the great Frankie Miller and Mick Box (Uriah Heap). More at http://www.minstrelspoetsvagabonds.co.uk


2008 - Channel 7 Network Television Australia chose two of John's songs (‘Believe In Yourself’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’) for their Beijing Olympics playlist. Five million Australians (where the Scotsman is now based) watched the official broadcast. Freddy Celis, respected music reviewer at 'Rootstime' in Europe says 'Weston’s intimate translation (of Waltzing Matilda) has to be added to the gallery of the greatest'. Both songs featured on John’s current album ‘Welcome Back To Reality’.


2008/2009 - Many songs added to international film and television music production houses databases - these companies deliver music to major feature films, television shows and advertising companies. We're looking for more placements - please contact us if you're interested.


2008 - Secured airplay with Satellite Music Australia who supply music to Foxtel & Austar Pay TV digital radio channels as well as huge retail stores across the southern hemisphere.


2008 - nominated for a prestigious Gold Coast Honours Award in Entertainment by readers of the Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper for his support of organisations Cancer Council and Amnesty International.


As you can see John’s focus is local, national and international. Constantly working on promotion and growth as an artist and brand, his loyal fanbase, the media and music industry pros look forward to regular quarterly newsletters because Weston thinks outside the square from a promotional point of view. If you want to be on the list email us.


CURRENT ALBUM STATISTICS:
'Welcome Back To Reality' is proving to be a great follow up to Weston's first album 'Hope Harbour' - songs from that album won him the Australian National Songwriting Contest (2005) and accolades from Billboard and Unisong (2006/7).


1st single from 'Welcome Back To Reality' album, song title 'Whatever Makes You Happy' was playlisted on 30 radio stations around the world including BBC Radio.


2nd single 'Waltzing Matilda' (Feb/March 2009) was released by respected digital label Blue Pie Records Australia was again featured on BBC Radio. John has already had film interest for his version of the song.


Consistency of great songwriting across the album 'Welcome Back To Reality' is apparent; two songs, ‘Believe In Yourself’ & ‘Let Your Life Begin’ received highest level and honourable mentions respectively from Billboard World Songwriting Contest (2007). Both songs share the same lyrics but different arrangements showing Weston’s talent and diversity. Three songs 'Whatever Makes You Happy, Welcome Back To Reality' and What Do You Want From Me' made it through to the in the Semi Finals of the UK Songwriting Contest (2008) and nine songs made it through to the 2nd round of the Australian National Songwriting Contest (2008). More soon…


QUOTES FROM BIG NAMES IN MUSIC:
Click on ‘Press’ for testimonial from big names in music like the sound engineer for John Mayer, Santana, Sting and Christina Aguilera plus positive words from drummer/guitarist for Crosby, Stills and Nash, Johnny Winter and Jeff Beck and a great quotes from one of Australia's biggest music manager's (Powderfinger manager).


ENDORSEMENTS:
John Harley Weston has scored endorsements with Takamine guitars, D'Addario guitar strings and Neumann Microphones.


ABOUT 'WELCOME BACK TO REALITY' (2008):
Weston’s writing is reminiscent of the message songs of Ben Harper, Bernard Fanning or Bruce Cockburn. That common thread is evident from the cajun-flavoured 'Whatever Makes You Happy' to the Sheryl Crowesque 'Believe In Yourself' on to the epic self-discovery song 'Welcome Back To Reality'. It continues with 'Let Your Life Begin', revealing shades of Paul Rodgers, through to the bluesy 'Wouldn’t Miss A Day' and on to the Johnny Cash styled 'Righteous Son' about Australian, Van Nguyen, who was hanged in Singapore for carrying drugs. There are also tones of vintage Neil Diamond (one of the most successful songwriters of all time despite his taste in dinner jackets).


FIRST ALBUM 'HOPE HARBOUR' (2004):
He released his first independent album 'Hope Harbour' in 2004/5 and picked up some serious awards; winning the prestigious Australian National Songwriting Contest 2005 (rock category) with 'Last Days Of Summer', a song co-written with renowned drummer Tony Beard (Crosby Stills and Nash, Jeff Beck, Daryl Hall). John also received highest level honourable mention from Billboard World Songwriting Contest (2006) for the humanitarian lament, 'Brothers and Sisters'. He scored a top 20 spot at the notoriously difficult Unisong International Songwriting Contest (2006).


SONG FOR BRISBANE LIONS FOOTBALL TEAM:
After moving to Australia from Scotland in 1997 Weston found himself working next door to a major record label who suggested he write a song for the mighty Brisbane Lions Australian Rules Football team. And so 'Road to Victory' was born. (Released via Festival/Mushroom 1999).


RECORDING IN LEGENDARY STUDIOS
Such as Peter Gabriel's 'Real World', 'Rockfield Studios' (birthplace of Bohemian Rhapsody), Jimmy Page's 'The Old Mill', Pete Townsend's Eel Pie Studio and George Martin’s ‘Air Studios'.


GIGS:
He’s headlined and supported acts like 'Wet Wet Wet' (UK stadium tour including Wembley Arena) and Gun (UK university circuit), Indigo Girls, Duran Duran, Lighthouse Family and John 'Swanee' Swan. He's also performed for the Queensland Premier, Gold Coast Mayor, Beaudesert Shire Mayor, Brisbane Lions, appeared live on Channel 7 Network Television and had interviews on Channel 9 Network. He’s performed hundreds of shows including venues such as Wembley Arena, Manchester GMex, The London Astoria, Rics Bar Brisbane, King Tuts and Barrowlands Glasgow, the 6* Palazzo Versace Hotel Gold Coast , The Artist Festival Gold Coast, Songbirds and Brunelli's on Tamborine Mountain and The Boardwalk and Marina Shopping Centre, Hope Island.


THE BEST TEACHERS:
John's musical apprenticeship was served with some of the cream of the industry. As lead singer and songwriter with Scottish band Frontier (signed to Polydor now Mercury Records in the early 90’s) he learned from luminaries such as Gary Katz (Steeley Dan), Sandy Jones (Wet Wet Wet), Steve Jackson (Bryan Adams), Tony Philips (Seal), Ian Kewley (Paul Young), Dave Bascombe (Tears For Fears), Kenny McDonald (Texas), Adam Mosely (Rush) and Wix (Paul McCartneys band). The breadth of experience shows in John's songwriting, production and live work.


WHERE CAN YOU BUY THE MUSIC?
John's music is available to buy from his main website, his myspace site, facebook, iTunes, cdbaby, myTracks Myxertones, Blue Pie, Walmart and dozens of others.

Scroll to bottom to see links to main websites.

Click on 'Contact' opposite to email us or cut and paste this email address info@johnharleyweston.com

Instrumentation

John Harley Weston - albums are guitars, vocals, drums, bass, accordion, hammond, piano, strings)

Currently performing live acoustic shows
(duo - 2 x vocals & 2 x acoustic guitar)
(trio - 2 x vocals & 2 x acoustic guitars and percussionist)
(band - drums, bass gtr, elec guitar, piano/keyboard/accordionist, lead vocal/acoustic guitar.

Discography

May 2008 - 10 song album 'Welcome Back To Reality' - released independently. Genre - rock/folk.

Two songs chosen by Channel 7 Television for their Beijing Olympics playlist. (5 million viewers). Two songs, ‘Believe In Yourself’ & ‘Let Your Life Begin’ received highest level and honourable mentions respectively from Billboard World Songwriting Contest (2007). Both songs share the same lyrics but different arrangements showing Weston’s talent and diversity. Three songs 'Whatever Makes You Happy, Welcome Back To Reality' and What Do You Want From Me' made it through to semi finals of UK Songwriting Contest (2008) and nine songs made it to the 2nd round of the Australian National Songwriting Contest (2008). 90% of album was written, produced, performed by John Harley Weston including acoustic/electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, accordion, piano and strings.

2009 - respected digital label Blue Pie Records released 2 stand-alone digital singles 'Waltzing Matilda' and 'Believe In Yourself'.

2004 - 10 song album 'Hope Harbour' released independently. Genre - rock.

Produced by Sandy Jones (Wet Wet Wet). Includes the song 'Last Days Of Summer', winner Australian National Songwriting Contest 2005 rock category. (co-written by Tony Beard) Also includes the song 'Brothers and Sisters' (featuring Wet Wet Wet guitarist Graeme Duffin) which received highest level honourable mention from Billboard World Songwriting Contest 2006 and is featured on Australia's cutting edge rock radio station Triple's J Unearthed Queensland Online.

2004 - 'Our Backyard' compilation album released via Beau FM, AMRAP and CBF. (Features John Harley Weston song 'Last Days of Summer'.

1999 - 'The Road To Victory' (single) released via Festival/Mushroom Records Sydney, in conjunction with the mighty Brisbane Lions AFL team (Aussie Rules). Produced by Sandy Jones (Wet Wet Wet).

1992 - 'Lonely Heart' (single) released via Phonogram Records UK. Lead singer/songwriter with Scottish band 'Frontier'. Produced by Gary Katz (Steeley Dan).

1992 - 'The Sun Is Gonna Shine Again' (single) released via Phonogram Records UK. Lead singer/songwriter with Scottish band 'Frontier'. Produced by Kenny McDonald (Texas).

Links

• Facebook
• iTunes
• youtube
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Facebook

Audio

• Last Days Of Summer (master)
  Listen  
• Let Your Life Begin (2008 master)
  Listen  
• Waltzing Matilda (2008 master)
  Listen  
• Whatever Makes You Happy (2008 master)
  Listen  
• Picklefork (2008 master)
  Listen  
• Wouldn't Miss A Day (2008 master)
  Listen  
• Believe In Yourself (2008 master)
  Listen  
• Brothers And Sisters (master)
  Listen  
• Righteous Son (2008 master)
  Listen  
• Beautiful Day In The City
  Listen  
• What Do You Want From Me (2008 master)
  Listen  
• Welcome Back To Reality (2008 master)
  Listen  
• I'll Never Leave You Lonely (2008 master)
  Listen  
• A Road 77 (master)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Whatever Makes You Happy (2008 master)
• Wouldn't Miss A Day (2008 master)
• Believe In Yourself (2008 master)
• Welcome Back To Reality (2008 master)
• Picklefork (2008 master)
• Righteous Son (2008 master)
• Last Days Of Summer (master)
• Brothers and Sisters (master)
• Let Your Life Begin (2008 master)
• A Road 77

Video

Channel 9 Australia television interview 2005 (includes impromptu jam session with Aussie legend John 'Swanee' Swan & acclaimed slide guitarist Kirk Lorange). More videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/johnharleyweston

John Harley Weston performs 3 original songs at Acoustic In The Park - Southbank Piazza, Brisbane, Australia

Photo Gallery

Press

• What Music Industry giants say about John Harley Weston [+ Show ]
  

  It's easy to big note yourself but these quotes show what other music industry professionals think o...It's easy to big note yourself but these quotes show what other music industry professionals think of John Harley Weston...
  
  KHALIQ GLOVER (Los Angeles based Grammy award winning recording/mixing engineer for Prince, Justin Timberlake, Herbie Hancock, John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Santana, Sting, Marcus Miller) says 'Wow, you sound great. Great songs and craftmanship and your singing is spot on..'
  
  TONY BEARD (drummer/guitarist with Peter Frampton, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Bee Gees, Daryl Hall, Dave Stewart, Jeff Beck, Wyclef Jean, Madonna, McCartney, Jeff beck etc). He says 'Whatever Makes You Happy' is a hit and a great metaphor'.
  
  PAUL PITICCO (manager of one of Australia's biggest bands Powderfinger, Bernard Fanning and the Grates) says 'Congrats mate. DIY has worked great for you .....you should write a "how to" book. It has been great to watch it grow. Here's to your continued success'.
  
  MARK HOLDEN - (Australian Idol judge, music producer and songwriter)
  Hi John.....really good site you have for listening - excellent material - good onya...'
  
  JOHN 'SWANEE' SWAN (Iconic Australian rock singer - Swanee co-wrote one of the songs on John Harley Weston's new album). He says, 'The album sounds great John. I loved being allowed into your life as an artist and a friend. You can hold your head up very high my friend, your a class act.'
  
  COLIN BUDDS (Australian Film/TV Director) says 'the song 'Righteous son' makes you really take notice.....this new album sounds like it's going to be the more essential John Harley Weston'. (Righteous Son is about the Australian Van Nguyen who was hanged in Singapore for carrying drugs).
  
  John Harley Weston is endorsed by Takamine guitars and D'Addario guitar strings and Neumann Microphones

• Press reviews & feature articles about John Harley Weston [+ Show ]
  

  John Harley Weston has received features/reviews in Rolling Stone owned Australian Guitar Magazine, ...John Harley Weston has received features/reviews in Rolling Stone owned Australian Guitar Magazine, themusic.com by Christie Eleizer who also writes for Billboard Australasia, Rave Magazine, Tsunami Magazine, Gold Coast Bulletin, Australian Sunday Mail, Australian Courier Mail, Gold Coast Life magazine, Queensland Homes magazine, Tamborine Times, Albert and Logan News, APRA website, Beaudesertshire News, Scottish Evening Times, Glasgow Daily Record, Glasgow Herald and more.
  
  Cut and paste the following url in to your browser to view full press articles about John Harley Weston http://www.johnharleyweston.com/critics.htm (Scroll down to PRESS ARTICLES).
  
  To get you in the mood here are some snipits from media around the world....
  
  About album 'Welcome Back To Reality' (June 2008)
  
  '....Strong voice and instrumentally of high standard (again memories of Mellencamp) the accordion played superbly! That talent is present in the performance of the Australian classic ‘Waltzing Matilda’. With so many versions of that song Weston’s intimate translation has to be added to the gallery of the greatest'. (Freddy Celis 'Rootstime' Belgium July 2008)
  
  'You could call John Harley Weston the latest Gold Coast Olympian....two of Weston's songs will be used by Channel 7 (television) during it's coverage of the (2008 Beijing olympic) Games'. (Steve Spinks, Gold Coast Bulletin, Australia, August 2008)
  
  '....Remarkable is the emotionally loaded acoustic track ‘Righteous Son’ a reference to Van Nguyen a young Australian convicted and executed for drug smuggling....the beautiful sounds would also turn Bruce Springsteen green of envy'. (Freddy Celis 'Rootstime' Belgium July 2008)
  
  '...John Harley Weston travels across many genres with passion and conviction in every word written and performed....he is a true story teller of the millenium. (Kitana Mahoney of Kitana's Music Mansion radio show at www.phibble.com USA - May 2008)
  
  '...John writing is reminiscent of the message songs of Ben Harper and Bernard Fanning. From the cajun-flavoured first single ‘Whatever Makes You Happy’ to the Sheryl Crowesque ‘Believe In Yourself’ on to the epic self-discovery title track'. (Ian Russell, Kilmarnock Standard, May 2008).
  
  '...The title track 'Welcome Back To Reality is a cleverly constructed Beatlesque meets Billy Joel offering, snuggled in warm backing vocals and harmonies that has you reaching for the repeat button.(Kitana Mahoney of Kitana's Music Mansion radio show www.phibble.com USA - May 2008)
  
  A fabulous patriotic addition to this album is the unoffical Australian anthem 'Waltzing Matilda' that I believe should replace all other renditions across the globe!' (Kitana Mahoney of Kitana's Music Mansion radio show at www.phibble.com in the USA - May 2008)
  
  And about John's first independent album 'Hope Harbour' (2004)
  
  '...well crafted rock songs with strong soulful vocals....bluesy rhythms....and a voice that strongly recalls Paul Rodgers on Free's All Right Now'. (Rave Magazine, Brisbane, Australia)
  
  'an economical album for the masses.....late afternoon urban blues......socially aware vocal narrative.....' (Tsunami Magazine, Sunshine Coast, Australia)
  
  ‘….an album of diverse rock songs with bluesy overtones’ Robert Santos, Rolling Stone owned Australian Guitar Magazine. (Nov 2005)
  
  'superb songwriting skills....mixing rock and pop and adding a pinch of country and blues his sound is original.....music is his life......John Harley Weston could quite easily have come from a mould of Van Morrison'. (Gold Coast Music Industry Association live acoustic review)
  
  ‘….Glasgow-born, Gold Coast Australia based seasoned songwriter and musician….a collection of well-crafted songs with elements of rock, pop, country and blues. Support a rising talent….’ (Queensland Homes Magazine (Summer 2004/5)
  

• John Harley Weston - Channel 9 Australia television interview [+ Show ]
  

  You can view this television interview mentioned below on this Sonicbids profile. Channel 9 ‘Ex...
  You can view this television interview mentioned below on this Sonicbids profile.
  
  Channel 9 ‘Extra’ Television interview aired 13/6/05 and 17/6/05.
  
  After winning the Australian National Songwriting Contest (rock category) John was interviewed on prime time television by Channel 9 Television. The interview features an impromtu jam with John’s neighbours and musicians of high regard John 'Swanee' Swan and acclaimed slide guitarist Kirk Lorange. Here is a copy of the transcript from the interview:
  
  CH9 EXTRAONLINE (transcript)
  You may not realise but Australia has its own national songwriting contest, and in our midst is the winner of the rock music section. Doug Murray caught up with Mt Tamborine's John Harley Weston to see why he took out the award.
  
  John Harley Weston's award-winning song comes from the heart. “It's a snapshot of my youth. I had a great youth,” reminisced John. Growing up in Glasgow, Johnnie played an unlikely instrument for a wannabe rock star. “I played the accordion for seven years, you know! And I finally picked up the guitar when I was in my mid-20s.” The switch launched a rock career that enjoyed international success; and later, migration down-under.
  
  Early this month he scored the National Song Writers Award for his composition 'Last Days of Summer'. “Overnight success? It's only taken about 20 years!”
  
  Six years ago, John featured on Extra, displaying a completely different style. His rousing tribute to Brisbane's footy heroes, the Lions, became an unofficial anthem, causing some amazement when his strong Glaswegian-talking accent miraculously disappeared in song.
  
  In a coincidence of musical harmony, John's new neighbour on top of Mt Tamborine just happens to be another refugee from Glasgow and a musician of note - John 'Swanee' Swan. “John comes in with his guitar and he pops himself down, and before you know it five hours has gone and we've got this really beautiful song,” laughed Swanee. Could this be the start of a beautiful collaboration? “If you'd have told me that you're going to find somebody that you can write with! I came up here to write, to the mountain. I bought a place up here to write and to get away from music - and just walked into the best music scene that I've seen in years,” said Swannee. “Absolutely, we're already collaborating and you know, he feels the same way,” added John.
  
  Listen out for some more award-winning mountain music with a slight Glaswegian accent wafting down from the rarefied atmosphere of Tamborine.

• Radio interview links to listen instantly [+ Show ]
  

  On 9th July 2009 John Harley Weston was interviewd by ABC Coast FM Radio presenter Briony Petch on t...On 9th July 2009 John Harley Weston was interviewd by ABC Coast FM Radio presenter Briony Petch on their 'Soundwaves' show. If you didn't get a chance to tune in you can hear part of the interview featuring one of the 5 songs - an acoustic version of 'Welcome Back To Reality' and the story behind by cutting and psting this url in to your browser http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/gold_coast_evenings/index.html
  
  Listen to BBC Radio Scotland play John Harley Weston's Waltzing Matilda - August 2008. Presenter Iain Anderson talks about the song's connection to Scotland, John's Olympic story and Amnesty International. Cut and paste this url in to your browser http://www.johnharleyweston.com/bbcradioscotlandairplaywaltzingmatilda.html
  

Setlist

Originals gigs - normally 1 or 2 sets x 45 minutes

Basic Requirements

Calendar