An Interview With The Promising Singer-Songwriter, SAMUEL JACK!

Samuel Jack is a unique and emotive storyteller whose rugged soulful vocals command the room. Raised on Blues, Motown, soul and roots music, the London born singer spent his formative years in Johannesburg with his father, a film director. The rich fabric of his childhood informs and oozes into the music he creates today which has been resonating with audiences across the globe.

Jack proceeds to showcase his own brand of contemporary soul and authentic songwriting, covering themes from love and pain, to occasionally even politics. Everything he sings is from the heart, about that moment in his life and the journey he is on, allowing audiences to connect to the musician on deeper levels. Jack confesses how writing for him is a form of therapy and that honesty plays a key role throughout his songwriting.

His broad musical palette and undeniable talent is evident in his highly anticipated album which is due later this year. The album narrates the struggles with inner demons, the turbulence of family and relationships, the desire and want for something or someone and how music helps to build bridges and establish new relationships. There’s anthems, there’s ballads and there’s some heavy hitters. Jack expresses, “I listen to all sorts of music, but there is something about Rhythm’n’Blues, about Soul, about Gospel that just gets into my veins. The history of it all, the hurt, the pain, the joy, the sex. And when those emotions are delivered by a voice that really means it, i just feel like there can’t be a better way to express yourself”.

Leading single ‘Feels Like Summer’ emits a summery and feel good vibe through its use of stomping percussion, anthemic melodies and bright brass. Highlighting Jack’s powerful gravelly vocals and passionate lyricism, the single bursts with vibrancy, all consumed by shimmering soundscapes. Lyrically, ‘Feels Like Summer’ centers around celebrating the good times and how something can make you feel alive and ultimately wishing you could live in that moment forever. Jack reveals, “There’s definitely a sense of nostalgia about the whole song. I wrote it at a time when I needed those good times to see me through some stuff. Music can totally transcend time and space and take you to all sorts of places when you’re not exactly where you want to be. That’s what this song is for me. It takes me back, it takes me forward, it takes me through”.

Jack has garnered widespread recognition having played a plethora of international stages including Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party and Larmer Tree Festival, as well as sharing stages with the likes of Passenger, Jack Savoretti and Jake Isaac. His music has also received numerous TV placements on shows such as Shameless and Nashville, and landed features from prestigious outlets including Clash, Music Week and BBC Introducing. With fire in his belly, Samuel Jack is ready to continue the next chapter of his journey with his much anticipated debut album slated for release this Fall.

Listen to Samuel Jack’s track, “Feels Like Summer” Here:

Connect With Samuel Jack Here:

Website – http://samueljackofficial.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/samueljackofficial/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/samueljackmusic

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/samueljackofficial/

Learn more about Samuel Jack in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

Hello! this interview finds me in a really very hot recording studio in England’s beautiful south west.

Now that we are more then half-way through the year, how has 2019 been treating you? What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them?

2019 is treating me well. I’ve already got a European tour under my belt which was one of my main goals for the frost part of this year, I’ve also picked up some good spots on tv – all is looking good with plenty more to come from me this year.

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

Music was, is and will always be a massively important part of my life. I think I realized I wanted to be a songwriter after writing a song called ‘Weatherman’ – it opened up so much for me that song. I recorded it late one night in my studio flat on an old toy piano.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life? 

I’ve dedicated years and years to music, there has never been a plan b – or at least since I wrote ‘Weatherman’ – a good friend once said to me, there isn’t a plan b, the moment there is, plan a will fail.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

The biggest surprise has been how much i love being my own boss, leaving the stability of a normal job is so daunting, and don’t get me wrong its really hard serving in the music world , but its been liberating. I think the biggest challenge i face is continuing to release quality song after quality and also keeping up a solid social media presence – its draining to say the least but an essential way to connect with fans these days and get your music heard.

Let’s talk about your newest single “Feels Like Summer.” What was the inspiration for this track? How do you think it prepares listeners for more music from you? 

I was inspired to write the song after meeting some mates for a beer one night – we reminisced about the good old days and it made me smile! It’s probably a song that is a bit ‘lighter’ than my listeners are used to but I’ve got so much more to come and I hope the song highlights my versatility.

When do you hope to release more music and a full collection of new songs?

I’ve got a new song coming out in the next 3 weeks, and then my debut album is penciled in for release in autumn of this year.

Where can people see you perform next? Do you plan to tour at all this summer or later this year? What has been a favorite performance of yours so far? 

I’m playing a special acoustic show on the 11th of August in the beautiful Babington house in Somerset, further to that I’ve got more European dates, US dates and more scheduled through October and into November.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music?

I think I’m developing all aspects – at least i hope I am! Be it my live performances, my song catalogue, self-management – I feel like all those things have improved since I started out. I was a different beast then!

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now? What has social media done for your career so far?

If I’m honest, as much as I love to stay connected to my fans, social media is a tiring thing to stay on top of. Without question, it also essential to success these days and a wonderful way to get your music out to audiences anywhere in the world and it’s helped me on so many levels. I love live streaming – I think its a great way to bring everyone in and really show them something about you.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future? 

I listen to so much music so it is hard to pick any favourites, but I love Michael Kiwanuka, Vance Joy, Jorja Smith, Mahalia, amongst loads of others. Right now, I’d love to get in the studio with Lewis Capaldi.

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

A blockbuster movie. All the bells and whistles. It would be big, cinematic and full of class.

What has been the coolest place/TV show/commercial that you have heard a song of yours? Where would you still love to hear a future song of yours played? 

I loved hearing my music on ‘Nashville’ and also UFC used a song of mine through one of their campaigns with Connor Mcgregor.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I just want to write music that resonates with people. I hope the connect with my songs, with me, and I hope it makes them feel something.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

With this space for my album, I’m so excited about it and its full of big, hard hitting , gut-busting soul – raw, emotional ballads and feel-good roots vibes!