Where are you currently based?
I’m currently based in Melbourne, Victoria – I hover around the Sunshine and Richmond suburbs!
How did you first start playing music?
I was always fascinated with writing absolutely anything, whether it was fictional or based on my personal life. I had no prior knowledge of singing or songwriting until I started writing my own songs in my last year of high school and learnt the rest at university through a songwriting degree!
What’s been happening recently?
Recently, I’ve been honing and tightening up my sound in terms of production on old and new songs and creating demo after demo where possible! Also my alma mater, JMC Academy, nominated my first single ‘Lockdown Lover’ for an award! Super stoked!
Your new single ‘System’ is out on April 30 which is a shift in sound from r&b and pop to something more darker with rock, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
This shift in genre and sound to dark-pop/rock is long overdue. I realised a few years ago that I had suppressed feelings of rage, revenge and rebellion relating to past relationships and situations that would come out in the form of angry songs. I love expressing myself through R&B and pure pop music but it’s so much more fun being bad.
How did you go about writing System?
Daniel Roughley – my bassist, co-writer, partial housemate and music guru – sent over a track he made that sounded nothing like ‘System’ does now. It was more like ‘Green Light’ by Lorde and… I wanted to write something similar to that – the desperate and chaotic need and fight for freedom from someone toxic. I wrote all of ‘System’ to that first track and before we knew it, we went through numerous changes and landed on dark-pop/rock.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
The track was initially recorded at my house during Stage 4 lockdown before deciding to record it elsewhere in a proper studio set-up. However, we decided to go with the initial vocal takes as we felt it suited the song best! It was produced by Daniel and mastered by Nicholas Di Lorenzo of Panorama Mastering.
How did you approach the recording process?
As someone who has only been singing for 4 years, I find my best vocal takes happen when there’s no pressure from anyone else. I tend to overthink when people are in the room and I need to be with someone I’m incredibly comfortable with. Doing it on my own meant that I could take my time, feel the song and not become fixated on or nervous from potential judgement.
What programs/equipment did you use?
The latest version of Logic Pro X with a Rode NT1-A Condenser Microphone, Audio Technica headphones and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 as the audio interface.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I have an obsession with UPSAHL right now! Her writing is insane and her use of chromatics… soooo juicy. I’m also listening to REI AMI and Olivia Rodrigo!
What do you like to do away from music?
I love exploring new places and travelling! I got bit by a travel bug after my Bali trip which was right before the pandemic started. I’m waiting impatiently for international borders to open!
What’s planned for 2021?
A music video for ‘System’ could very well be dropped soon… but otherwise, you’ll definitely hear more singles in the lead-up to a dark-pop E.P!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Check out Delhi Streets in the city, superb Indian food! And… my favourite place to hangout isn’t even an actual place! It’s a late night drive carpooling with mates to Maccas/rehearsals or a day drive to somewhere far, far away!
Link to JXCKY’s socials:
Facebook – https://facebook.com/jxckymusic
Instagram – https://instagram.com/jxckymusic
Twitter – https://tiktok.com/jxckymusic
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB9KPzeyHmQ0C0j4S95vtxg
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BaMvb4XicSCtYWqjXw3hV
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@jxckymusic
