Jack Savoretti

Concorde 2, Madeira Drive, Brighton, Sunday, October 18

AS the old saying goes what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

When Jack Savoretti released his third album Before The Storm it took its name from the multitude of challenges he had facing him – from being dropped by his record label, to getting married and having children.

Now with its follow-up Written In Scars he is taking the opportunity to look back.

“I wouldn’t change what did happen,” he says midway through a soundcheck. “I learned a lot from those experiences, and how to do things the way I wanted to, rather than how other people wanted them done. I’m still learning today.

“With Before The Storm I was preparing myself for going it alone – the storm was coming full on straight at me and I was working out how I was going to fix it.

“Written In Scars is a bit more retrospective, but it’s also an album with a lot of pride and a sense of triumph. I survived, and I’m proud of the scars.”

He admits before he got dropped from De Angelis Records and got in a legal tangle with his former manager he needed a kick up the backside.

“I got more than I bargained for,” he says. “It might have been harsher than it could have been, but if it wasn’t for what happened I would never have written this album.

“The industry was living up to all its clichés.

“Many people were smarter and quicker at realising that the industry was going upside down – I didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t grow up fantasising about getting a record deal – I didn’t know what one was until I went to London. I just wanted to write songs and music.”

The experience did have the desired effect – not only has his latest album become the best-selling of his career, reaching number 13 in the UK charts, it is also his first to be released on major label BMG Chrysalis UK.

“BMG have an amazing history within the music industry of doing things their own way,” he says.

“I’ve had the chance to make the record like I’ve always wanted to make it. I can have a career without chasing targets that have nothing to do with music.

“Now fortunately I have created a team around me who make sure it never gets too much.”

The results showcase the powerful voice of the singer, who on his first appearance in 2006 was favourably compared to fellow-Italian-born songwriter Paolo Nutini, backed largely by his acoustic guitar.

To ensure a raw and fresh sound Savoretti recorded every track on the day it was written – enlisting the help of Adele’s musical director Samuel Dixon, Jake Bugg collaborator Matty Benbrook, and guitarist Pedro Vito as co-writers.

“I feed off collaboration,” says Savoretti. “Why wouldn’t you want to work with people who are really good at what they do?”

He is enjoying the closeness the internet is creating to fans across all music genres and lifestyles.

“People are going to the roots and origins of the things they consume,” he says. “Whether it’s food or music people are waking up to these companies that are pushing them into eating bad food, listening crap music and watching poor films. We have an opinion and a choice – we can find out who is making our clothes, or our food and what music we want to hear.

“It’s easy to point the finger at industry and labels but a lot of artists and musicians expect everything so quickly.”

He is hoping to go back into the studio at the end of next year or beginning of next year.

“I don’t want to force anything,” he says. “We’ll just see what happens – I’ve decided not to rush anything, I would rather get it right than just get it done.”

Support from Gizmo Varillas.

Doors 7.30pm, tickets £16.50. Call 01273 673311.