While it might be tempting to think that pianist Joe Webb primarily draws inspiration from the jazz genre, both he and his Joe Webb Trio demonstrate that first impressions can be misleading. Drawing on a diverse range of influences, from jazz legends like Oscar Peterson and Fats Waller to ‘90s Britpop and football icon Lionel Messi, Joe’s debut album ‘Hamstrings & Hurricanes’ serves as a rich exploration of his Welsh identity, presented through his unique and expressive style. Having garnered praise from notable figures such as Jools Holland, Jamie Cullum, and Giles Peterson, it’s evident that the Joe Webb Trio is redefining modern jazz. Fresh from being shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize, we spoke with Joe, along with his bandmates - drummer Sam Jesson and double bassist Will Sach - to learn more about the album. The Mercury Prize has consistently aimed to celebrate the artistry of albums, encouraging listeners to appreciate them as complete, cohesive experiences. With that in mind, how does it feel to be shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize?
Joe Webb: I’m overwhelmed. When we initially entered the studio to record this music, we never imagined we’d find ourselves in this position.
Sam Jesson: Listening to full albums seems to be fading away. I listen to albums all the time, so it’s wonderful to have created one that feels like a mixtape of our live performances and studio work, crafted in a way that might encourage people to listen to it from start to finish.
Will Sach: It means a lot because we spent four days assembling it, purely for the joy of it, not expecting anyone to hear it, so to receive this recognition is a delightful surprise.
“Our influences are extremely diverse, so we were working to unify them.”
Did you have any memorable experiences while recording ‘Hamstrings & Hurricanes’?
Joe: The studio had a large live room below, and we slept upstairs, living almost as a family during that time; it felt like being at home, but we were in a recording studio.
Were there any friendly rivalries since you were so close to one another?
Joe: Honestly, we began playing together in a wine bar in Marylebone, just providing background music, so we had already spent countless hours together by that point.
Sam: It was pretty intimate – sometimes too intimate!
Joe: What are you implying, mate?!
The final track of the album, ‘Hiraeth,’ was partially inspired by Oasis’s ‘Shakermaker’; how did that come to be?
Joe: The drum section is essentially a more relaxed rendition of the drums from [Oasis’s] ‘Shakermaker’, mixed with some influences from [Claude] Debussy, [Franz] Liszt, and other classical elements. Our influences are really varied, so we aimed to bring them all together.
Sam: Songs often start one way and transform into something entirely different by the time we finish recording.
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The ultimate guide to the 2025 Mercury Prize shortlist by DIY.