Jai Patel Supporting Iron Maiden on Tour

Jai Patel was a student at Drayton Manor Sixth Form from 2007 until 2009 and is currently supporting rock legends Iron Maiden on their world tour with his band The Raven Age. Jai is currently in Rio de Janeiro but has taken a break between shows to tell us a bit more about his musical journey.

“With a tour like this you think it's going to be the most amazing thing, but it really is much more. I knew it was going to be huge but you don't really get it until you experience something of this magnitude. Iron Maiden have their own plane and we are so lucky to be travelling on it too, not to mention the venues and the crowds which are huge! There are people waiting at airports and hotels and they even know who we are, not just Iron Maiden, which is surreal. Playing in stadiums is such an incredible feeling, I never thought or even dreamed of doing something like this.”

Jai started playing the drums for the Duke of Edinburgh Award when he was 14 but did not focus on them until he joined the school. “I got my first drum kit in November 2007. Two of my best friends both played the drums and they showed me the ropes which I picked up quite quickly.”

He also tells us how he became part of The Raven Age. “It's a pretty interesting story actually. I did a cover on the drums of a song called Dark Day by Parkway Drive on YouTube and it got a lot of views as it was one of the first drum covers online. Guitarists Dan and George of The Raven Age saw it and messaged me to ask if I wanted to join the band as they needed a drummer. I ended up visiting the studio and recording a song for them and the rest is history!”

The tour with Iron Maiden does not finish until August, and Jai is focused on ‘spreading the Raven’s wings’ and building their ever increasing fan base.

“We have our debut album coming out this year so we are very excited and we hope to support other acts on their tours and really build on the fan base we are currently generating around the world.”

During his time at Drayton Manor, he was part of a band called Fall From Within with fellow students who performed at various assemblies and received huge praise from staff and students. The band were also interviewed for a feature in the 2008-09 Phoenix magazine.

“My time at Drayton Manor was great! I was the only drummer on the music course and the school was very supportive. They bought a drum kit which I did my exams on and I was able to play my first concerts at assemblies and other school events. It is great that we have managed to keep in contact because I have a lot to thank Drayton Manor for. If it was not for my time there, I would not be living my dream right now.”

The school would like to congratulate Jai on his success and wish him the best of luck for the rest of the tour and for the future. We hope to welcome Jai back to the school one day to hear more about his musical journey.