AJ Porter

AJ Porter is a pop, rock and acoustic singer-songwriter based in Manchester. Originally from Derby, and brought up in a passionately musical family, Porter developed admiration for artists such as The Beatles, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Prince, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Nick Cave, Stevie Wonder and Kate Bush from an early age. He first got on stage in his early teens playing pop-punk and rock, and he has always remained open-minded towards many different styles of music since. Some of his more contemporary influences include Everything Everything, Christine & The Queens, Hozier, Passenger, London Grammar, Bon Iver, Mark Ronson, Elbow, Tame Impala, Belle Mt. and Twenty One Pilots. His broad array of influences are reflected in his own music. 
Porter is an impressive guitarist and unique composer, with an ability to write unpredictable yet catchy melodies. A fan of R & B, Jazz and Soul artists from Etta James to Nina Simone, and heavily inspired by the effortlessly unusual chord progressions in early Lennon/McCartney compositions, Porter often uses unconventional yet accessible chord progressions in his songs. 

Aside from his forthcoming solo project, he has been playing lead guitar for 4-piece band “Turner”, led by Salford’s Louise Turner, since 2017. His work will feature on their album “Daydreams and Stars” - to be released on Detour Records in 2021. His time with the band so far has seen him grace the stage at some of the UK’s most legendary venues, ranging from the 100 club  in London, to the Cavern Club in Liverpool. 
After a prolific 2020 writing new music, debut single “Don’t Meet Your Heroes” is the starting point for an exciting solo career ahead. Recorded with producer Chris Taylor at Noiseboy studios, the song was written and performed entirely by Porter. Stylistically   , it features unique and eye-catching acoustic guitar playing, inspired by fingerstyle guitar greats such as Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) and Newton Faulkner. The song is rhythmically varied and demonstrates a wide range of pop, rock, folk, blues, indie and funk influences.