NOW

Ean J is a singer songwriter from Aberdeen, Scotland who's songs are primarily about his experience, strength, and hope since he gave up drinking in 2015.   His debut album ‘A New Beginning’ reached #11 in the iTunes Singer Songwriter Charts in 2020 and he followed this up with a second album ‘Simplify, both featuring songs about his experience, hope, and recovery.

Although born in Manchester, Ean has lived in Aberdeen since 1991 and considers himself Scottish, having lived in the Granite City ever since.  From 1995 until today he has owned and run XSP Entertainment Agency, representing local and national bands, singers, speakers, and a few celebrities.

Having adopted a ‘work hard play hard’ attitude to life from an early age, he found himself drawn to a business where drinking was not only acceptable but often encouraged; and where most occasions, socially or otherwise, were usually accompanied by real ales, malt whiskies, and fine wines. However, as the see-saw slowly tipped, the hangover tolerance reduced, the Glenmorangie started to morph into Glenlidl, and the time to make an important life change decision had arrived. 

Most of the “fun” had gone; to be replaced by habit which became compulsion, and finally (never really being one to go out for ‘a couple of pints’) he made the decision to quit drinking alcohol in July 2015.

He’s has consequently never felt healthier, happier, and more content.  And one real 'joy in sobriety' was writing, arranging, co-producing and professionally recording over 30 self-penned songs. 'A Long Time Coming' is a celebration of sobriety and hopefully inspiring to others.  And ‘Simplify’ continues in an upbeat vein with songs about how good it really can be.

Today he enjoys productive and enjoyable days being involved in the agency and promoting his original music, whilst always making plenty of time to help others suffering from unhealthy relationships with alcohol.  He tries to spread through his words and music the message to anyone strugglling: "it doesn't have to be this way, there is a solution’.

THEN

Born in Manchester, the family moved in Barcelona, Spain (whilst still ruled by Generalissimo Franco!) when he was 10 and then relocated to Antwerp, Belgium during Ean's teens.  He speaks fluent Spanish and Dutch/Flemish, the former through necessity as no one in Spain spoke English then!

The son of the chief engineer of the Hammond Organ company (and a keen restorer of classic pianos), Ean was never far from an instrumen;, starting to play piano, Hammond organ, and guitar from an early age, and progressing to writing original songs in his early teens.

He played in various original bands but at the age of 20 he abandoned this noble path to become a professional musician playing mostly covers (and backing artists) at Butlin’s, Warners, and other entertainment centres (holiday camps!), and was not slow in engaging in a vigourous after-hours social life with his new set of ‘friends’ and money in his pocket.

Ean moved to Spain for a second time in the 80's and seamlessly transferred his particular brand of audience-pleasing commercial music to Benidorm and Tenerife audiences, learning 100’s of new songs along the way, and developing his rapport with audiences over the years.

During his time in Benidorm he created and entertainment-managed the Bermudas Nite Spot, a "retro nostalgia music club" where he was Musical Director/keyboard player to no less than 17 hit recording artists of the 50's and 60's, with 6 of these stars** having had a #1 hit in the UK hit parade.

* stuffed

** Ronnie Hilton "No Other Love"/Ruby Murray "Softly Softly"/Ricky Valance "Tell Laura I Love Her"/Danny Williams "Moon River"/Craig Douglas "Only Sixteen"/Jet Harris "Diamonds"