Brooke White says Jack And White made a record in her living room!

Via a blog post on her blog Brookie Babble, Brooke White of Jack And White posted behind the scenes photos of how they made their latest EP Winter in her living room!

 Check out more photos in Brooke's blog post HERE!

Jack And White's new "Night After Night" music video

Check out Jack And White's new music video for "Night After Night" off of their new EP Winter.

Album Review: Jack And White - Winter EP

Today, songwriting duo Jack And White released their second EP titled Winter. And just like their first EP, this new 5-song album definitely does not disappoint. From the intriguing and random song titles to the catchy beats to the clever and inspirational lyrics, Jack And White can do no wrong.

"Night After Night" takes you through heartbreak with that known Jack And White beat. The witty lyrics and spooky chorus about ghosts and haunting hearts make for a great opening song. "XYZ" gives you a little bit of a country feel and ends with a little bit of rock 'n roll as Brooke and Jack explain life. Then the duo takes it down a bit in the ballad "Voices," with a yearning melody and longing lyrics describing what I believe is about winter.


But my favorite song on the EP would have to be "Bright Side of the Bad News." This upbeat song has the two asking, "where would I be without you by my side?" This song is fun and can relate to anyone who has an essential person in their life that you don't know what you'd do without. You by my side, In a free fall, In a landslide, You're the first call, On the bright side of the bad news, You're the sure line of my dark blues, the two sing. Simple, yet such meaningful lyrics in this edgy yet deep song.

The EP also includes a live version of their song "Telephone Games" off of their first EP Gemini. In sum, half of the EP gives you a winter feel while the other half gives you that same, joyful Jack And White sound. The way Brooke can go from happy and positive to sad and longing in this mix of songs is incredible, and the songwriting and musical talents that Jack brings make the entire duo what they are: good by themselves, but even better together. This is another great album from Jack And White and I can't wait for the next!

Jack And White 'Winter' EP available next week!

Brooke White and Jack Matranga will have a new EP out next week! Jack And White's new Winter EP will be available on iTunes on January 24.

You can read my review of their first EP Gemini HERE and read my interview with Jack And White HERE.

Top 10 Albums of 2011

From debuts to come backs to re-leases, 2011 was full of hot albums from pop, rock, American Idols and even soap opera stars. Here are my Top 10 album picks of the year.

10. Scotty McCreery - Clear As Day
The latest American Idol winner Scotty McCreery released his debut album Clear As Day last month, selling 197,000 copies in it's first week. The country singer became the second American Idol winner to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 with a debut album, and if you've heard it, you know why. With hit songs like "I Love You This Big" and "The Trouble with Girls," Scotty shows off his stunning voice in these sweet, country songs.

9. Port Chuck - Port Chuck
General Hospital based band Port Chuck released their self-titled, debut album this past April, featuring pop and rock covers. Between the fast-paced "No One Like You" and Scott Reeves' slow "Hallelujah," which was featured on the soap, this album showcases the guys' unique voices, as well as their personalities.

8. David Cook - This Loud Morning
After a lot of waiting and anticipation, David Cook released his sophomore album this past June, titled This Loud Morning. This time around, Cook has a more mature and distinct sound with songs like rock single "The Last Goodbye" and the soft "Fade Into Me." Better than his debut, this new album does not disappoint.

7. Enation - My Ancient Rebellion
General Hospital star Jonathan Jackson and his Indie rock band Enation released their latest album My Ancient Rebellion a few months ago, on the same day they were honored by About.Me.com and featured on a billboard in New York City. With songs like their single "The Rushing Wind" and "Tears of Hope," this album is soulful and artistic, just like Enation.

6. Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
Kelly Clarkson came back stronger than ever on her newest album, featuring powerful anthems like her single "Mr. Know It All" and the title track "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)," as well as soft ballads like "Breaking Your Own Heart" and "Standing In Front of You." This is one of the best and strongest albums of 2011.

5. Hot Chelle Rae - Whatever
I never thought twice about Hot Chelle Rae until I saw them live in concert. Boy bands in the rock genre have never really been my thing, until now. Hot Chelle Rae released their debut album Whatever last month, and prove that their more than just a rock 'n roll boy band. Between their upbeat, hit singles "Tonight Tonight" and "I Like It Like That," to showing a sensitive side in songs like "Keep You With Me" and the beautiful ballad "Why Don't You Love Me?" with Demi Lovato, these guys show their uniqueness and creativity in every song.

4. Big Time Rush - Elevate
Big Time Rush's sophomore album Elevate is bigger and better than their first, featuring all new pop and rock songs, eight of which were co-written by the guys themselves. The guys show off their fun side in songs like their single "Music Sounds Better With U" and "Time of Our Life," and a sensitive side in songs like "Invisible" and "Cover Girl." Though the guys are mostly known for their pop rock sound, Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan also show off the balladeer in them in songs like "You Are Not Alone" and "All Over Again." This album is fun and sweet, just like the guys!

3. Jack and White - Gemini
The Brooke White and Jack Matranga collaboration took off with the release of their first EP Gemini. The 6-song EP features their single "Double Trouble," as well as other cheery and upbeat songs, perfect for this one-of-a-kind duo.

2. David Archuleta - The Other Side of Down: Asian Tour Edition
After making the decision to leave his record label this past year, David Archuleta re-released his sophomore album The Other Side of Down in Asia, just in time for his summer tour there. The Asian Tour Edition features four brand new songs from David, along with his hit song "Zero Gravity." David shows a more mature sound on songs like ballad "Everything And More" and the longing, pop song "Wait." This re-release became #1 on CDWow.com, and though he plans to take a two-year break to serve an LDS mission next year, I know there's still a bright future for David in the music industry.

1. Demi Lovato - Unbroken
Demi Lovato made the biggest come back this year after spending months in rehab. Demi came back stronger than ever, musically and personally. Her third studio album Unbroken became #1 on iTunes within hours of it's release. With the hit single "Skyscraper," along with ballads like "Lightweight" and "Give Your Heat A Break" to upbeat songs like the title track "Unbroken" and "Hold Up," this album shows the best of Demi, and I know things are just going to get better from here.

There's my Top 10 albums of the year. Happy New Year!

Interview with Jack and White

Indie pop duo Jack and White have become a popular pairing since their hit debut EP Gemini. Consisting of singer-songwriter Jack Matranga and American Idol's Brooke White, these two mellow musicians put their uniqueness and similar musical vibes together to create fun, free-spirited music. I had the chance to ask these two about their music, their partnership and what's next for this perfect musical match.




How did the two of you meet?
Jack: Brooke and I were set up by a friend to write a song for her solo record. We had met a few months beforehand at Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, but basically just shook hands and said nice to meet ya. The writing day was the first time we had a chance to get to know each other a little. That day we listened to some tunes, shared some stories, and wrote a song we call 'Feathers' that ended up being on the Gemini EP.

Who’s idea was the name Jack and White?
Brooke: Well, I guess I should take responsibility for this one :) It started out simply as our pen name when we were just writing songs before we ever became serious about becoming a duo. Whenever we'd finish a song or a work tape we'd name the mp3 file "jack and white". So one day before our writing session, out of curiosity I thought I'd check godaddy to see if jackandwhite.com was available, and it was, so I bought it... and that was that! haha! Obviously it's a play on "Black and White"... and ya know, it's our names with "and" in the middle :)

What was the process like of making your EP Gemini?
Brooke: Unstoppable. The process couldn't have played out more smoothly, we had pretty much a next to nothing budget, a handful of great songs, a couple talented and generous friends and a fire within us to create a solid record. No A&R guys or fancy studio, but a humble and yet capable bedroom set-up with all the equipment needed and loads of open minded creativity. It was a bunch of laughs, some delicious tacos and tamales and productive focus and free form musical expression that led us to the magic. Our friend Danny, a genius musical engineer was kind enough to record and mix the whole thing for us. Another friend Justin, played the drums and then Jack and I created the rest, track by track. Loved every second of it.

What’s more fun, writing the songs or performing the songs?
Jack: They are both different kinds of fun. Writing is a lotta fun for the right brain and not so much for the left brain. Performing is a lotta fun for both sides.

What inspires both of you to write a song?
Jack: Harmony mainly, but also life experiences. My favorite sound in this world is when different voices are singing together. So incredible. I also like to write down experiences...sometimes try to interpret their meanings, sometimes just observe. Language and communication are very intriguing also. Playing words in different patterns, rhyming words to tell stories, to share experiences. All very inspiring to me.
Brooke: I'm gonna agree with Jack, life experience is where the best songs stem from, whether it be personal or an experience of another.. Often times we don't start with a specific concept in mind, we will get a musical idea... a couple of chords, and the emotion of the music will prompt a lyric and melody simultaneously, and as the song progresses and takes on a life we tend to pin down the experiences that then lend themselves to the lyrics and story. We follow the inspiration to wherever it leads us, while it's our job to write the songs, it sometimes feels like the songs dictate themselves to us, they already know where they want to go... like they've always existed.

What’s your favorite song to perform together?
Brooke: I go through phases, I love the songs that are heavily harmonized, and while "Telephone Games" is one of the hardest songs to pull off vocally, it is the most emotionally charged song we have, and I really dig into singing those heart-achy songs. New tunes are always exciting, "Night After Night" is also a high point in the set for us.
Jack: Usually my hyperactive tendencies take over here and I most enjoy playing whichever song is the newest to the set. Right now this holds true and my favorite song to play is one from our next ep that we're calling "On the Bright Side of the Bad News."

Choose one word that describes your music.
Jack: availableonitunes
Brooke: Haha! Brilliant Jack. Ummm... free-spirited... that's one word-ish.

Now choose one word that describes your partnership.
Brooke: FUN.
Jack: Natural.

What are words you live by?
Jack: That golden rule.
Brooke: Recently read this and loved it "follow your heart but take your brain with you"

Any advice to future songwriters/performers?
Brooke: Write, write, write... the more you write, the better the songs get. Then get out there and play, play play... the more you play the better performer you become. Be patient with yourself, it takes loads of time, experience, rejection and resilience to get from mediocre to Good to GREAT! It's about consistency, its about a lot of good ol' fashioned hard work... and ultimately it's about the love for what you do. You better LOVE it... a lot.

What’s in the works for you two?
Jack: All writing and recording for the rest of the year. Dec 9th we'll start working on our 2nd EP. We've basically been writing here and there ever since we finished recording the Gemini EP, and now we've got 4 new songs ready to track. We've left the calendar empty of shows for the rest of the year so that we can focus and finish up the recording around new years, in hopes of releasing this next ep at the end of January.

Do you have a message to all your fans?
Brooke: We sincerely thank you, we need you, we love you... everything we do, we do it for you :)


Big thanks to Jack and White for this great interview, and look forward to the new music!

Jack and White covers Fleetwood Mac!

At their show this past Monday at the Bootleg Bar in LA, Jack and White did a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams"! Check out the video below:


Credit to jbotting99

Jack and White premiere "Double Trouble" music video!

Yahoo Music premieres Jack and White's new music video for their single "Double Trouble". This video is fun and playful, just like the song! With a variety of different scenarios, this video is confusing, yet so intriguing. It's random, and it's exactly the kind of music video this song needs and that Brooke White and Jack Matranga would provide. Watch below: