Virginia artist Jack Jeffery performs progressive and ambient music influenced by Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, and Brian Eno. Other influences are John Lennon, The Beatles, The Moody Blues, Neil Young, Oasis, Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, and Kraftwerk.
Jack’s third album, Enlightened Horizon (2014) follows his critically-acclaimed second album The Constant That Remains (2012), and once again transports the listener through a compelling musical journey through ambient, psychedelic, electronic, acoustic, and folk rock soundscapes. Jack’s debut release, Passage to Agadir (2010), was likewise favorably received as a noteworthy and ambitious progressive rock release in the style of early Pink Floyd and Alan Parsons along with ambient Brian Eno-esque soundscapes. Jack’s music has been featured on radio and podcasts, and is available from CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon.com, and other online music outlets.
01. How did you get started in music?
I’ve always been interested in all kinds music, starting with playing the trumpet in marching and concert bands, and later playing acoustic and electric guitar and keyboards. I grew up on a steady diet of classic and progressive rock, so that sound has always influenced my music to some extent.
02 .Where did your direction come from?
Many different genres including Progressive Rock, bluegrass, and classical music.
03. Who were your major influences and inspirations?
The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, Yes, Roger Waters, and Alan Parsons are strong influences, but I’ve also been inspired by any genre that featured strong melodies and songwriting. Even very early music, including renaissance music, has inspired me!
04. What inspires you to make your current type of songs and sound?
Music, like paintings, sculpture, and other forms of art, is a medium of expression. Although music can be entertaining, I view an instrument, like a guitar’s fretboard, a keyboard, valves on a trumpet, etc., like a blank canvas and a means to unveil the art from inside.
05. What can someone who has never seen you live before expect from your shows?
I don’t play live, but I would say that my records reflect my expression as an artist informed by my influences. They are intended to take the listener on a journey, yet contain some unexpected sonic surprises along the way.
06. How do you begin writing your songs? What types of themes and subjects do you deal with?
Songwriting begins with an idea: either melodic or lyrical. These ideas can spawn when playing on the guitar or keyboard with no particular endpoint in mind: just letting the creativity flow and take over the playing. But sometimes ideas can arrive suddenly when I least expect it: exercising, eating, or even in the shower! The challenge is capturing and refining them so that they’re not lost forever.
07. How has your music evolved since you first began playing?
I’ve continually worked not only on instrument playing technique, but also production techniques and acquiring new instruments. So with each album, there’s new sonic territory to explore not only with the new sonic textures of additional instruments and sounds, but also production processes. The studio is truly an instrument with unlimited possibilities, so there are new sonic surprises to be unveiled on each album as my sound evolves.
08. What has been your biggest challenge? How were you able to overcome this?
Because I play all instruments on my albums and produce them as well, it’s a challenge to be objective when making production decisions. Sometimes just letting a track sit for a while and returning to it with fresh ears can make all
the difference.
09. If you could pick any song, what would you like to cover most and why?
“Imagine” by John Lennon. The anthem’s simplicity and poignancy is a masterpiece that reflects Lennon’s genius and vision perfectly.
10. Where do you envisage being in five years time?
Releasing music on an artistic level higher than what I released five years earlier.
11. Who would you most like to record with?
Alan Parsons, Brian Eno, David Gilmour, and Roger Waters. The collective experience, artistry, and achievements of those masters would certainly provide an inspiring recording session! Paul McCartney would be great too!
12. What should we be expecting from you in the near future?
As the inspiration strikes, releasing records that reflect my artistic vision and influences that are made with the quality of the music as a
paramount consideration.
Web Links:
facebook.com/Jack-Jeffery-Music
twitter.com/JackJ
soundcloud.com/jjeffery
cdbaby.com/JackJeffery
youtube.com/JackJ
