Hopefully you’ll agree that Maryland native Jackson Dean is one of the most exciting rising country artists around right now in every respect. His breakout album “Greenbroke”, his first since signing to Big Machine Label, put him firmly on the map as a phenomenal writer, musician and vocalist, and anyone who has seen him perform live with his incredible band (who he considers family) will no doubt bear testament to the energy they bring to the stage….. captured of course on his “Live From The Ryman” album release earlier this year.
Having played his debut show in the UK a few months ago at Highway’s Festival, one of the highlights of the day for many, he has recently made a welcome return to this side of the pond for a string of headline shows alongside his set at The Long Road Festival.
It was great to catch up with him in London (our third interview with Jackson, find the earlier ones on our website ) as this trip drew to a close and I hope you enjoy our chat.
LH Hi Jackson so good to meet up again! A quick turnaround for you having played Glasgow last night. I take it you and the band travelled down overnight on the tour bus? Guess you’re a bit sleep deprived…
JD Yes we did … and yes !
LH Last time we chatted was back in May before your first ever show here. What memories do you have of that whistle stop visit that made you excited to return to see us …. or not, maybe!
JD It made me definitely want to come back. Two standing ovations will do that to you . I told them way before that I wanted to come over here and make a name for myself which it seems I’ve been laying the groundwork for. I knew that it would be a different vibe here than it is in the States. And I was right!
I was the last one to walk off the stage at the Royal Albert Hall after those two standing o’s, I just looked over my shoulder and did a double take, everyone was in their feet and I was just like “oh my God, this is insane!“ and I stopped ( lead guitarist ) Brandon who wasn’t looking, grabbed his shoulder and said “have you seen this s**t !” . It was nuts.
LH So many people were talking about you and the band more than anyone it seems after that festival. You made a huge impression and won a ton of new fans.
JD I was out back with Kip, me him and Stephen were all hanging out …..he went out to the bus and there were about 150 people standing waiting for him ….. just how much they wanted to be where they were was just really awesome. It didn’t feel like it was just to grab a picture, they wanted it in a different way. Very much more respectful … we’ve been welcomed very warmly over here and I’ve been extremely grateful for it.
LH You’ve been playing in Europe this visit too…Sweden and Germany I think….plus you’re off to Australia later this year I see.
Country music is really global now isn’t it?
JD Yeah it’s all over the place! I feel country music gives a lot of people a platform , especially right now for people such as myself, that just want to make music and be around music. Of course they’re going to get it in Australia, it’s same-same I feel, at least mentally it’s a little similar to the United States in terms of country living …. they ranch too …. tho I’ve never been …
LH It’s great there, I’m sure you’ll love it.
LH Since we last spoke, you’ve been out on the road playing massive stadiums opening for Eric and Luke, and you played CMA Fest. And now you’re over here headlining at smaller, more intimate venues…..do you like the chance that gives you to be up close and personal with your fans, connect with them ?
JD There is very few things that will compare to a good club show. We spend a lot of times playing arenas, don’t get me wrong I love them, our sound thrives in that setting as it’s what the music was being written to be played in. With these shows it’s a little bit different, I’m popping my ear monitor out so I can hear what’s happening in the room, and there’s an instant, guaranteed different kind of connection when you go from an arena to a club. I also feel that over here everyone is pretty honest about what the show is, we’re all sweating our arses off in a tiny little club and we really go for it….not like in an arena where you can sit back and be reserved and away from it. At these shows they’re right up on you, I can see every head, every single one of them, which you don’t get in bigger places.
LH So will you always want to carry on playing smaller venues as long as you can…there may come a time when it’s possibly not an option …
JD It really comes down to having a choice. I never wanted so skip over the club scene and go to the next level, I want to have done it. A big part of our path is doing it organically, taking the proper steps and not leaving one undone. I don’t want to just play giant shows. When you’ve played them and go back to a club it’s like “woah, that was a lot of fun!”. And I’d always want to play certain clubs. Arena shows, unless you’re the headliner, are way different ‘cos everyone’s finding their seats, thinking “ Who’s this?” …. it’s a different vibe, the audience are so far away and in a club you can reach out and touch them. Apart from with your voice. For what we do, we really have a great time in a club.
LH. You’re coming to the end of your tour here, have any songs in particular been resonating with the audiences?
JD Last night which was really funny, just before we played “1971” I introduced Brandon, Sean and Rich and I’m talking about how it’s the first song we ever wrote and it’s the longest running song in our set and then said “well anyway, this is ‘1971’” and the crowd just went crazy for a solid 35 seconds ….. so then I’m like “ok, we’re just going to play it now! “.
LH That must have been so special for you cos it wasn’t on “Greenbroke” but it was included on your “Live From The Ryman“ album so it proves the fans are digging deep and doing their homework .
JD Yeah it’s from a separate project that they have to go and seek out . It proves that they are legit fans! And they sang every word.
LH Do you and the band have any preshow rituals backstage?
JD We used to sing a bit, Fred Eaglesmith’s “Trucker Speed“ in four part harmonies, but now we just roll sabotage and go out and do the damn thing! They’re so much fun.
LH So, the new album was taking shape last time we chatted, what stage is it at now?
JD It’s good, everybody and their mother is as busy as hell right now and I’m not in a big rush. I’ve started to get some stuff back from those sessions, I’ve got about nine back, it sounded good and it’s definitely in the direction ….we need a full day to EQ a few things. We’re going back in hopefully November/December and go for more. People are dropping really big records right now, lengthy…
LH I think you said this one will be 13 tracks last time we discussed it?
JD Oh it’s going to be way more! The last time we cut it was 11 plus 2 one-takes I think but it’s definitely going to be more than that. A big body of work and the range of what the project is going to be is a very, very wide range. There’s a lot of different vibes happening.
LH Has the success of “Greenbroke” put pressure on you for the new album?
JD I don’t feel pressure that much, I know these songs we have right now are good s**t . It’s more like angst, I feel itchy … I know for a fact that the songs , not many people in my category I guess, would dare try but I know I can pull them off .
LH And I guess with a new album comes new merch. How involved are you with that side of things?
JD Oh I’ve been involved with it from the beginning. I didn’t want stuff that looked bad! We have some cool items planned, I want to pull inspiration from lyrics from a couple of different songs. I have a song called “Train” and we’re doing some around that …. there’s no repeating word …. and we’re doing something based on “Heavens To Betsy“. There’s a lot of things visually that I think we’re going to do as it’s a very visual record.
LH Talking of visuals, I love the videos for your collaboration with Ashley Cooke (“What Are You On Fire About?” ) and “Fearless”. Do you enjoy that side of the creative process?
JD Yeah it’s cool, it’s another outlet for art form. The one for “Fearless” was a lot of fun, that’s my brother, sister in law and niece . Getting to do that with them was awesome. I thoroughly enjoy great photos and cinematography, the guy who shot “Fearless” I think has Christopher Nolan vibes … the more palatable stuff is really great too but I like this dark and moody kind of stuff!
LH Well from what I’ve heard today I’m even more excited about the new album, and of course tonight’s show. Hopefully you’ll be back here to promote the new music at some point and we can hook up again.
JD I would love it! We will be back very, very soon.
More artist information can be found here – https://www.jacksondeanmusic.com