Making a Miracle: An interview with Luke J Dorman

With Stones in His Pockets chats with Luke J Dorman about his struggles and triumphs as a singer-songwriter in Kent.

I had intended this blog to be not much more than a set of updates and reflections about With Stones in His Pockets. But it turns out, beyond a punishing practice schedule and mercifully short recording schedule, there’s fairly little to write about. So let’s talk about somebody else.

Let’s talk about Luke

Since releasing his debut album Pure in 2023, Luke J Dorman has become a linchpin of the Kent music scene, maintaining a consistent live schedule with his powerful four-piece band. In person, he has a charismatic but unaffected air which translates directly into the impassioned rock songs that make up Pure. You can catch a glimpse of a soulful crooner within songs that straddle folky blues to straight-ahead rock - think mid-period Kings of Leon mixed with Cage the Elephant. On stage, he’s a gracious frontman, and on the bills I’ve shared with him, he’s made sure to give a shout-out to every other act playing.

Luke’s debut album, Pure, came out in 2023

This sense of camaraderie and community bleeds into his off-stage musical pursuits. He’s a founding member of Sunshine Ocean Records (of which I’m a member), an organisation dedicated to promoting Kent musicians and sharing opportunities. The music video for Luke's single Daylight won Best Music Video at Ramsgate International Television & Film Festival 2022. Also in 2023, he guest-starred as a busker in the 6,700th episode of Eastenders! It seems like Luke is on the cusp of transcending to the next level of success

I wanted to discover more about Luke’s songwriting routine, his influences, his musical upbringing, and any advice he has for up-and-coming songwriters.

Starting out

“I grew up in a house where there was never a day without music playing. I was a massive fan of The Beatles‘ songwriting. I got really into the structure of their songs. And when my brother started to learn classical guitar, I got interested in playing too.”

As Luke’s just hinted, he is part of a musical family. Not only is his daughter Daisy a singer-songwriter in her own right, but his Dad has been playing guitar since childhood and currently plays in The Supermicks.

“The Dormans have music in our blood for sure. Daisy always had tons of genres on in the house, like I did when I was growing up. And I remember everyone telling me what a legend my Dad was, playing guitar in his teens and twenties. I taught myself guitar by nicking Dad’s electric when he was at work, or my brother’s flamenco when he was out playing footie or chasing girls! I picked up Dad’s vinyl copy of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme by Simon and Garfunkel, which had a songbook that came with it, and learned to play that way.

“But when grunge came along and I discovered Nirvana, I knew music would become my life’s passion. Little did I know it would become my therapy too.

So Luke formed a covers band, with the frankly amazing name Surf Dude Grandad. But it wasn’t long before he was writing songs for them too.

“I needed to write to let out my feelings. It felt like therapy. I wanted to put every part of life - frustration, love, sex, desire, passion, anger - into my songs. Obviously, during my teenage years, most of what I wrote was awful, but with the odd banger here and there. One is called She Left Me - which ended up on Pure. By then I’d learned it wasn’t enough to just write and sing with feeling - the whole song had to be on the same vibe. I wanted to literally put my heart into She Left Me - so the drums start like a heartbeat, speeding up gently and then racing. My songwriting was definitely maturing.

The Luke J Dorman band playing Exhausted at Ramsgate Music Hall, 2024. Video courtesy of Live Gigs in Kent.

Here and now

At heart, Luke is one of those songwriters who just needs to do it, who would make music even if there was no hope of recognition. So I wanted to know, having put so much work into his craft, how he writes a song right now.

“Have you ever sat down and felt the source just flow through you? Some of my best songs were natural wonders - I can’t tell you how I wrote them, not even the lyrics. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I get writer’s block. And I do write with intention.”

I know exactly what Luke’s talking about. Some of my own songs I’m most fond of have seemed to decide to be written. Sometimes you’ll be struggling, working on a song or two that seem to be going nowhere, and a completely new one will barge in and derail you. It’s how I wrote The Canal - walking from the Tesco Express on Islington Green to my home near Regent’s Canal and, out of the blue, singing a song which cast the everyday things around me - a streetlight, a motorcycle - in a sinister light.

Luke frequently says that music is like therapy to him. How does that manifest when he’s writing?

“The song It Never Rains was a dark one. I’ve recently recovered from depression and anxiety, and this song was about that darkness - not wanting to deal with inner demons anymore. With the support of my wife and kids, as well as counselling and CBT, along with an ADHD diagnosis, I’m much more mentally healthy now.”

ADHD and creativity seem to go hand in hand. Symptoms that make everyday life difficult - impulsivity, hyperfocus, and divergent thinking - can be gifts when it comes to songwriting or any creative endeavour.

I was diagnosed with combined ADHD in October 2022, just as I was finishing work on Missives. My own diagnosis put my creative life in a new context. My creativity had always been extremely potent but lacked in execution - assuming it ever got to that stage. So how does Luke feel ADHD affects his life as a songwriter?

“There are pros and cons. I think it’s been a great advantage with writing, as I’m more open to trying new things. But promoting my music becomes far too overwhelming. I find promoting other people way easier than doing it for myself.

“I think people confuse shyness for arrogance, and I do feel shy around new people - with a hint of excited dog in there - so it can be confusing for people. But the CBT my therapist gives me helps a lot. With It Never Rains, the treatment helped me produce what’s probably the best vocal performance on Pure. You can hear the pain in my voice. I broke down in the studio after that performance. It done me hard, that one, but it was cathartic. I say music is my therapy, but this was something else.”

Luke formed the band Meister in 2016. They toured the UK, performing shows with Reef, Feeder, The Libertines, and London SS, among others. The band went on hiatus during the Covid lockdowns of 2020. When things opened up again, Luke began performing under his own name.

“My bassist, Neil, came over from Meister, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We have a natural musical connection, and it feels right to play alongside each other. He’s like a younger brother to me, even though we are the same age! I met André, my drummer, at a Meister show at Ramsgate Music Hall, and we clicked - he’s another brother to me. We all get each other and have a natural affection and connection. My daughter Daisy joins us on keys sometimes.

“But Kent is a tough place for a gigging musician. The industry looks at it as being a county full of cover bands. It was overlooked up until the last four years. Folkestone Music who are friends of mine have helped put not only Folkestone but Kent back on the map. And they’re truly wonderful people, and driven as hell!

“That’s why I helped set up Sunshine Ocean Records, to get local artists to form mutual connections, and promote Kent as an exciting and vibrant community of amazing songwriters and bands writing original music.

“My least favourite thing is trying to get venues to put me on. I hate that we’re losing our venues. Opportunities are decreasing unless you’re a known artist or promoter.”

The Luke J Dorman Band playing Go To The Light and All I Wanted Was Love at Ramsgate Music Hall, 2024. Video courtesy of Live Gigs in Kent.

But Luke’s managed to transcend the limitations of Kent’s musical infrastructure, and gigs frequently. He’s become an experienced live performer and recording artist in the process, and he always puts on a great show. I wanted to know his best piece of practical advice for up-and-coming singer-songwriters.

“Research, research, research, content, content, content. Work consistently and stay strong - it’s not as easy as they say. Nowadays, I think it’s harder to get ahead of everyone else fighting to do the same thing.

“I hate the accepted myth that you have to be good and write catchy music. Everyone’s good! You just have to work out your niche. And, as they say, keep on keeping on. Nathaniel Rateliff was about to give it all up, but then, boom - his career took off!”

Luke’s living proof that his advice works. His diligence in researching opportunities to put his songs out there has led to some great success.

“I’m very proud of the Pure music video, but the video to Daylight winning Best Music Video at Ramsgate International Film Festival was truly humbling. Last weekend I got to play alongside my Dad at one of my gigs. It was such a buzz!

“But my proudest memory is from back in the noughties, plating a hometown gig at Ramsgate Harbour with Surf Dude Grandad. We were playing a cover of Stereophonics’ Maybe Tomorrow to an audience of four or five thousand people. Hearing my voice bouncing off the cliffs, and the roar of the crowd was phenomenal. All my family and friends were there, my mate Stu on guitar, and the band beaming from ear to ear. It was magical.”

What’s next?

All that work has got Luke to where he is. And I wanted to know what Luke’s ambition is like. Is he satisfied with his current level, or is he striving for bigger and better things?

“I’ve got so much on - there’s too much to mention. Sunshine Ocean Records is trying to organise a whole host of events, as well as setting up a new learning programme for kids to learn instruments with local artists. I’m collaborating with some DJs this year too, working in other genres, and making more connections. The Luke J Dorman band will continue, but Meister is coming back too! We’ve just finished recording Time to Love, our EP which we’ll hopefully be touring later in the year.

Luke Dorman has overcome a lot to reach his current level as one of Kent’s most active and enthusiastic singer-songwriters. Catch him playing live throughout the year, including at Sound of Kent Festival at Woolton Barn on August 16th.

Thanks to Luke for agreeing to this interview and for giving such great answers.