Today is something of a celebration for Jxckson, given his debut EP Paradox was just released. In his own words, “[it] explores a mix of genres including pop, dancehall, and synthwave, where no two songs sound alike, yet drive the listener through the twists and turns of one cohesive story.” The EP, alongside the songs, features two poem written by Jxckson’s sister, who’s working on her own debut, but in the publishing world.
Read on to learn how Jxckson uses visuals to create lyrics & stories, and how much of an influence Britney Spears is for him.
And of course, you can listen to Jxckson’s music here, and follow him on twitter.
How did you first get into making music?
I’ve been singing and dancing since I was a toddler. There are countless home videos to back this claim up to haha. It’s always just something I’ve done. I started piecing full songs together and recording them for myself when I was 17. Terrible terrible songs, but over 10 years of just writing helped me find my songwriting voice and style. But music has always been a huge part of my life.
What are your favourite genres to listen to?
I love all sorts of genres. Pop, K-Pop, R&B, Rock, Hip Hop – you name it. I would say I generally listen to pop, but I love elements from all music genres – and that’s a main reason why I love experimenting with different sounds in my own music.
Any kind of music you don’t really listen to?
Honestly, I feel like I could find a song in any genre that I like, so it’s hard to think of any kind of music I won’t listen to or at least give a shot. Maybe Polka?
How do you get inspiration for your music?
Watching and listening to other artists inspire me. I’m also inspired specifically by music videos. Something about seeing a visual paired with the song can really make or break it for me. I’m also a creative writer, so I love telling stories through music – essentially playing a character in each song and getting into that mindset. There’s some kernel of personal truth in each song but I love exploring them as stories.
What is your creative process? If you write your own melodies & lyrics, which is your favourite to do?
Oh, great question! I’m a visual thinker, so I typically start with melodies and visualize what a video or performance would look like based on the melody. What sort of vibe does it give off? I then use that as my inspiration to explore different stories and lyrics – from playful innuendos to metaphors that bring a certain feeling to life.
Which three artists would you say have influenced your music the most?
So many artists influence me – across various genres. But at this moment I would point to Tinashe, Lily Allen, and Britney as my overall music influences. Tinashe influences my overall sound and inspires me to be a better performer. Lily Allen influences my songwriting style and my overall lyrical approach – playful and tongue-in-cheek at times. Lastly, Britney put my love for pop music in overdrive growing up so there’s always a hint of Britney in everything I do.
Give us a five word description of your latest release.
Paradox – simple, complex, chill, fun, and unique.
If (when!) your music was to be used in movies, what sort of movies would you like to see it in? Any directors in particular?
I would love to see one of my songs in a queer romantic comedy! I love a good feel-good comedy moment.
It’s safe to say that there are more openly LGBT artists nowadays than ever before. What does seeing so much representation mean to you?
It’s crazy to know and listen to so many openly queer artists now. It makes up most of the music I listen to these days, mainly because it feels amazing to have representation. These artists better understand my experiences. I would like to see even more representation in the mainstream, but I feel like we’re getting there.
Rec us some of your favourite LGBT artists
Oh wow, so many to name. But here’s a few – Eddie the Kidd, E. Alvin, Travie Austin, Boy Sim, Cory Stewart, Kisos, Gina Chavez, TeawhYB, Eraste, Alexzone, Jonny Jukebox, Kady Rain, SAILEM, CRUX, and many many more. I love them all.
What’s one piece of advice you would like to give your younger self?
“Be confident, you’re more than worth it. Don’t let the fear of how other people will perceive you dictate your life. Be you.”
If you could have dinner with one member of the LGBT community, dead or alive, who would it be?
I would have to go with MNEK. I loved his album Language and his songwriting style overall – and I feel like I could learn a lot from him. He just seems like a fun person to be around.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jxckson is an Austin-based independent pop artist best known for his keen pop instincts. Delivering his best lines with a smirk, Jxckson combines infectious melodies with witty lyrics and metaphors. Although he treats genre like a moving target, Jxckson’s unique storytelling approach to his lyrics are a constant presence in his music.
Jxckson been making his mark since 2019 following the release of his debut single “Icarus”. Jxckson has since been in PAPER magazine, them. magazine, and his previous single “Mango” reached #1 on popular indie LGBTQ+ blog Q Review’s music chart.
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