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!
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