I’ve been gaga for Jack Colwell since I heard his single “Captain’s Melody.” I caught up with this exciting new Sydney artist ahead of the album’s official launch at The Conservatorium of Music on March 30.
You’ve just released a new single “Captain’s Melody.” What was it about that song that made you want to share it with Australia?
“Captain’s Melody” was a really important song to me as it was written at what seemed a really transitional time, on that edge of accepting responsibly for your actions, especially when you’ve hurt others during a relationship and then realise that you want them back. The song has a catchy sound and everyone loves a ‘la la la’ melody.
You’re launching the single at the Conservatorium of Music, which is a world away from the pubs and clubs most modern bands play. Why did you choose this unusual venue for your single launch?
The Conserservatorium of Music is where I studied and gained most of my musical education, I have a lot of really important memories growing and learning inside the famous institution. The Con association CHAOS (Con High Association of Old Students) invited me back to perform as a guest performer and with my album on the way they were the ones to suggest I make it my second single launch. It is a real honour.
The song comes from the album Picture Window, which you’ll release in May. What can you tell me about the album?
Picture Window is a chamber pop album (Andrew Bird, Patrick Wolf, Joanna Newsom) which is heavily influenced by ’60s folk arrangements. The songs were written mainly around the piano and then fleshed out for an acoustic backing band ‘The Owls’ and on recording a small string ensemble. It deals with change and loss and like most good first albums, lots of leftover heartbreak.
You’re a classically trained composer. What do you think that education has brought to your music?
I think it probably just influences the sound or arrangements I choose to use. It certainly dosn’t make you a better songwriter or composer than anyone else. You can write away at a song for days using lots of compositional techniques and tricks but songs always tend to be one of those more intuitive things that people prefer to ‘feel’ or just go with.
Classical music is quite different from the alternative pop you’re producing now. What inspired you to change direction?
I think quite honestly I knew I couldn’t be a great classical player. I just didn’t have the commitment to practice for five-six hours every day like so many of them do and I found so much of the ‘alone’ time in a practice room to be really anti-social and depressing at times. Songwriting came naturally to me and I just continued to do it and do small shows. I never imagined I’d get the opportunity to be on radio and have my album performed with a Chamber Orchestra. It’s exciting to say the least.
Your band still appears to have that classical influence, with instruments that rarely grace mainstream pop recordings. What do you think the strings and woodwind instruments bring to your sound?
I’d like to think it makes it quite unique, but in recent years there’s actually been a renaissance of this sort of style of music and writing. The guidelines for a single, album, video etc. have all been thrown out the window these days. Hopefully at the very least it can show people that instruments shouldn’t be locked into set genres and they can have the ability to do all sorts of things before adding laptop effects. Certainly during the golden age of songwriting (’60s, ’70s) these instruments were used in their prime.
You’ve got such a unique sound. Who are some of your musical influences?
I spent a large part of my teens listening to Tori Amos’s Boys for Pele, that album really spoke to me along with Kate Bush’s The Kick Inside. Recently I’ve been listening to Goldfrapp’s Seventh Tree, the Beach House album, and believe it or not some Katy Perry! “California Gurls” is a great dancing song and I do love dancing.
So your hometown fans will get to see you at your single launch. Do you have any plans to take your live show to the rest of the country?
Last year I was lucky enough to do a small tour for the “Hopechest” single, to Canberra and Melbourne and in the past I’ve also been to Newcastle for the TINA (This is Not Art) festival, but due to weather complications was a difficult show to perform. I’d like to plan another tour in the works for Picture Window around Australia and am looking at going to the UK as well where my music has a small popularity.
What do you enjoy most about being on stage?
To be honest I don’t really. I get very anxious before I go on and during but I’ve learnt to overcome that in time. Live performance is always unpredictable, as though some kind of beast and anything can go right or wrong. I think though, having the songs be able to stand up on their own, in front of people who are hopefully connecting with them gives the songs a chance to really exist and live.
Do you have anything else in the pipeline?
Album launch in May with launch party TBA! Keep your eyes out. Rainbow Chan and I have our show on March 30 at The Conservatorium and are discussing writing and recording a duet in the near future. UK tour and a possibility of a main-stage Oxford Art Factory show in June. Big wheels turning.
Image used with permission from Positive Feedback