Where are you currently based?
I’m currently based in Sydney, Australia.
How did you first start playing music?
I saw Frenzal Rhomb playing at the ARIA Awards on TV in 1999 and it changed my life. I wanted to be a musician so bad but didn’t really know how to do that. I then had some family friends in Newcastle start a local band and that inspired me to no end. I started a band pretty quickly after that with some friends from school. We eventually got instruments and learned to play, well after the fact of calling ourselves a band. We played all through high school at anywhere that would have us, scout halls, surf lifesaving clubs, town halls, youth centres.
What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been so far?
Yeah it’s been really strange, to say the least. I’m an early childhood teacher during the day, so I’ve been working as an essential service all throughout this whole time. It’s strange having that part of my life stay the same, when so much of the other aspects of my life have changed so dramatically. It’s been really hard for me to not go and see shows. I get a lot of fufillment out of the music community, and it’s been tough not seeing artists that I love do their thing.
Your single ‘Blood’ and debut album ‘Middle Everything’ are out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting for the album?
I have a stack of different influences – from Bloc party to The National, from watching old professional wrestling matches to Beetlejuice, from Batman to Kurt Vonnegut. But more than anything, the sound was really influenced by having my live band present for the recording, and having it be produced by Jonno Tooke from Cry Club. I just feel so lucky that I get to work with artists I respect so greatly.
How did you go about writing the music?
I’d meditate and go for really long walks; where I would write down almost random thoughts that I had. I’d come home and spend the night working shopping these random thoughts in to songs on GarageBand on my phone. I then brought these ideas to the band and Jonno and they helped bring them to life.
Where and when did you record and who with?
I recorded in Sydney during April 2019. I was with Jonno (Cry Club), Emily Duncun (an amazing solo artist), Marcus Tamp (Amends, Burn In Hell and Vices) and Lauren Guerrera (Columbus).
How did you approach the recording process?
We all spent quite a long time workshopping and learning the songs before we got in, so the actual recording process was pretty straight forward.
What programs/instruments did you use?
It was a pretty straight ahead band format, with guitars, bass, drums and keys
How did Blood come about and what does this track mean to you?
Blood came about in the same way that most of the record came about, just through meditation and reflection. It’s about leaning right in to being frustrated, and finding resolution within that.
You’re playing Vanguard in Sydney on Nov 10, how do you prepare for live shows and what can we expect?
There’s going to be an intimate solo show first, with a few B sides and rarities, and a band show after, that really showcases the bigness of the record. To prepare I spend a lot of time practicing the songs, and getting the sequencing right for the set.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
The usual suspects: Phoebe Bridgers, Skepta, The National, Bloc Party, Action Bronson
What do you like to do away from music?
I really love watching really old Wrestling matches; there’s just so many memories and nostalgia attached to it for me.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
I’ve got the next album written, and I’m gonna spend the end of this year and beginning of next year putting it together.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I’m going to say Nachos, but there’s really too many faves to mention. I love hanging out with my girlfriend, Michelle – wherever we are is pretty ok.
https://www.facebook.com/jack.r.reillymusic
