Music Q&A:
John Parry

What informs your music and songwriting?
To be honest, it feels weird branding myself as a songwriter. I commentate on my life. Every song is a story. I don’t “write it” – it just happens after a night out or after getting with a girl. You run into trouble when people start picking up the story and realising a song is about them. I’m still looking over my shoulder after a girl realised a song I wrote named Dirty was about her.

How have you evolved as an artist over the years?
Mate, a year ago I was writing acoustic ballads that I couldn’t stand listening to. When I played shows people didn’t want to listen and I couldn’t blame them. Who wants to go to a venue, pay a fiver and listen to someone who sounds like they’ve stubbed their toe for an hour. Now when I play people want to actually listen, dance, get silly and have a good time.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
At the minute, I’m writing, recording, shooting videos and creating content and I’m having the best time. Just really getting ready to play shows and come across as the best possible version of myself.

What’s on your rider?
Vodka. I’m easy.

Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience.
I’m always embarrassing myself but the art is owning it and playing out like you meant to do it. I once got with a teacher’s sister on a coach on the way home from a festival. Let’s say the meetings after were pretty awkward.

What song do you wish you’d written?
You Raise Me Up by Westlife. I’d be minted and know Louis Walsh. He seems like a right laugh.

What’s your worst lyric?
“Nice shoes, nice shoes, nah nah nah nah nah nah nah, nice shoes”, and it’s out now…