Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Jack The Radio

European Indie Music Network: Formula Indie Interview – JACK THE RADIO

Left-to-Right: Danny Johnson, Kevin Rader, George Hage, Dan Grinder // Photo Credit: Jillian Clark

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

Kevin: playing in a sand box at age 3 or 4 and hearing my uncle pacing the yard sing “Song Sung Blue”.

Danny: Listening to the radio in the car around 4 years old and becoming inconsolably upset by the lyrics to Billy Joel’s “Only the Good Die Young.” I guess I took it a little too literally.

Dan: when I was 6, my dad taking me up to our unfinished attic, dusting off his old LPs, showing me how the turntable and receiver worked, and putting on Abbey Road.

George: Dancing to my parents and grandparents playing vinyl records. I don’t remember the exact age but I would hold on to the record shelf and bounce while the music played.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

George: My music journey started when I was 13 years old and I was offered the chance to get out of math class once a week by taking classical guitar lessons. I’m left-handed because the teacher only had right-handed guitars, which is why I play right-handed today. I was bummed at the time, but I’m grateful because left-handed guitars are not the easiest to find.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

George: Jack The Radio has been playing as a full band since 2010. We took a hiatus in 2015, with shows here and there, and we reformed with a new four piece line up in 2020. Our focus is on creating roots-rock music that blends rock, Americana, blues, and folk.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

George: Jack The Radio blends rock and blues sensibility with Americana, folk, and country to create a tapestry of swampy southern-tinged sounds. Tom Petty and The Black Keys are two influences.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

Kevin: Play with your ears and leave space for others.

Dan: don’t limit yourself to a certain sound or style. It’s easy to fall into a certain pattern, but getting those diverse experiences helps you create something unique.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

George: The core of the band is drums, bass, guitar, and vocals, but we love to bring in other instruments when the music calls for it like lap steel, baritone guitar, mandolin, various synthesizer keyboards, Wurlitzer piano, and various percussion.

Danny: We’re gearheads, so like George said, it’s an endless list, but I’ll go simple and say a good Telecaster. It’s like a security blanket, and I could pull off most of the things in my bag of tricks with a solid Tele.

Dan: I usually buy what Danny tells me I should buy. He’s pretty much always right.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Danny: Margaret Glaspy’s “Act Natural” and Slow Runner’s “What If This Is Me Trying?”.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

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What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

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What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

Kevin: Stay consistent and you will eventually see results. This goes for learning an instrument, writing songs, and just about everything else in life.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

Danny: I’ve already had a chance to check off one of by big ones with the 9:30 Club, but add a new target and say the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Danny: As a writer, Taylor Goldsmith from Dawes; I’d rank him among the best lyricists around in indie rock. On the production side, Blake Mills; I’ve yet to hear anything he’s had a hand in that didn’t blow me away!

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

George: They pick up our records on vinyl at shows or on our website and they can find links to stream our music on our website here www.jacktheradio.com/music!

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

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What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

Kevin: I hope that the genuine passion and care that we put into our music is apparent to our listeners.

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