April 9, 2019

INTERVIEW: JACK GRAY

Jack Gray has had an explosive 2019. Fresh off tour with Dean Lewis and unleashing his creativity in LA, Gray is currently unstoppable. The extent of his ambition is unmatched, and his outpour of releases this year highlight his broad and extensive brand of music. Jack talks about experimentation and the contrast between his latest two tracks, ‘Down Side Of Up’ and ‘Take Our Time’.

Each of the tracks you’ve released so far has its own distinctive sound and arrangement. Can you talk about what it’s been like to manipulate your voice to fit a diverse range of sonics?

I have so much fun playing around with different vibes and experimenting. I never feel the need to change or manipulate the way I sing as it’s one of the few elements that I want to be consistent throughout the project. However, I do mess around with vocal effects and layers which I find very amusing.

Has it been an easy or challenging change?

Easy. For me, it’s not like I have one particular thing that I’m good at and I stick to that.. I just play around with different ideas until something sticks. Fake it till ya make it!

You linked up with Zekiel once again to write ‘Down Side Of Up’. What does he bring to the table that makes it so effortless to write together?

Yeah, Zeke is one of my best mates so it’s always a vibe writing with him.. There’s none of that awkward “getting to know you” shit like in a typical writing session. We just hang out and throw ideas at the wall. He’s amazing with words, so he writes like 12 verses in 5 minutes and then we just workshop the best bits.

Why is ‘Down Side Of Up’ the first song we’ve gotten from you with a weightier, rockier sound? What makes the theme of this one so fitting with the sonics versus other tracks?

Trust me, you’ll get more of these. I’ve always been obsessed with rock bands especially in live scenario’s. So I wanted to incorporate that into my music whether it was on brand or not.. Because ultimately who gives a fuck?! As long as the song is cool that’s all that matters.

Is the grungier sonic something you’re going to continue to build even more?

If I feel like writing and releasing a heavier, more live band oriented song, then that’s what I’ll do. I definitely have more songs with a similar soundscape. But I don’t see my release plan as a build. I would actually prefer to be as random as possible. Keep everyone guessing.

Because it does mark a progression in the production, with a more alternative rock direction, are you more nit picky when trying to perfect it?

No not really. I found this track easier than any other song I’ve released to get right. It’s the opposite I think. I sit on the ‘poppier’ ones longer because, generally speaking, more work goes into the production and finding a balance of catchy and artistic is a fine line that I’m always cautious of.

How has the music scene on tour and the entire tour dynamic and surrounding helped you broaden your sound to be able to release a track like this, especially when you’ve come off two more pop oriented sounds?

On the Australian Dean Lewis tour in November last year, I was on the road with my band. Hearing the songs in a live format with a slightly heavier, more organic sound really made me think about my production. Should this song have acoustic drums here instead of 808’s? Should I have a real bass in this part as oppose to a synth bass? It got me thinking. It reminded how much I love that gritty live sound.

Do you see your music as genre-less?

I don’t really thing about music in genre’s. Especially mine. I could be wrong but I think the idea of grouping artist’s work into genres is on the way out. I mean everything’s kind of been done before so I think now people are starting to experiment with all kinds of sounds and broaden their horizons. It’s to hard to categorise something that sits in 4 different lanes. You just sound like a dick when you start saying shit like “umm yeah my music is like alt/pop/folk/rock”.

Can you expand on the blend of sounds you concoct in such a short track like ‘Down Side Of Up’?

Because the song felt so grungy, I added heaps of ear candy in the background. Arpeggiated synths and bright pads all helped create that quirky feel the song has.

I wanted the track to build up tension to a big release. The explosive guitar section at the end feels way bigger and more epic because I didn’t let the song go there before that point. Putting that last part together was the most fun I had while recording the song. Riding those crashes and hitting those big ‘reverbed’ keys glued everything together.

The sentiment of the lyrics of ‘Down Side Of Up’ is tinged with confusion and gives a glimpse of uncertainty when things are going south, despite the illusion that a situation is controlled.

Can you talk about when and how the idea of flipping happiness upside down came about?

So, Zeke and I weren’t sure whether we wanted to write a happy or a not so happy song. So we decided to do both. We thought it would be cool to have a pessimistic view on an positive situation. Maybe there’s a part II to the song… idk.

Can you talk about getting in touch with your feelings? Is it a challenge to accept that every positive or everything familiar is a double-edged sword?

Yeah, that idea is something that I play off a lot in my music. It’s funny, when I’m trying to write something positive and happy, I somehow always find a way to put a dark twist on it. Even when I’m actively trying not to. And I’m a happy guy, so I find interesting how it’s easier and sometimes more natural to write a sad song.

How does co-writing help you find a better grip and understanding of these emotions?

I guess because you can have a conversation about the feeling and try to get to a deeper level of the theme. Having a better understanding of what you’re trying to say makes the process so much easier.

Lastly, how does this track guide or diverge from what we can expect on the EP lyrically and sonically?

It’s funny that you previously mentioned the positive ideas tinged with its downsides because that’s one of the prominent themes across the EP. This track doesn’t guide nor diverge from the rest of the songs on the record. It’s simply just a collection of thoughts and sounds that I’ve been sitting on for past year or two. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!

**Note: This interview has been edited for clarity

Jack’s debut EP, ‘Nights Like This’ is set for release on May 31st. The anticipated EP will feature both ‘Down Side Of Up’ and ‘Take Our Time’.

Keep up with Jack here: