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Moving up in the world
Local solo artist Jayk on working with a band, his debut album
By Jacob Schneider
“It’s definitely been interesting because it’s a new dynamic playing with a band, especially considering how long I played without a band. Where before, I was able to slow down and speed up for dramatics, now there’s not really that option.” Local solo artist Jayk
Playing shows regularly over the past couple of years at venues like Bad Genie, Yield and Jackalope Lounge, young solo artist Jayk has secured a reputation as one of Milwaukee’s most promising up-and-coming artists.
The Post had a chance to sit down with Jayk and ask him a few questions while he was preparing for his performance as part of the UWM Union’s Gasthaus Entertainment Series, Thursday, Nov. 20 at 9 p.m.
Post: Jayk, you have been working on your debut album “Everything Ever” for a little over two years now. What are the chances of seeing a Jayk album available for purchase within the next six months?
Jayk: We actually have all the money now. So, I can say that financially it’s paid for. It’s just a matter of getting the work done. We have three or four songs complete for a demo, and it’s just a matter of getting the other six tracked out and mixed. So, I mean it could be done by the end of the month. It could be done by New Years. You just can’t force it. I don’t have anything else to do besides work on it. So, I would like to say in December it will be done.
*P:* Since your performance at this year’s Summer Soulstice festival you have modified your live show by performing with a full band. What has the chemistry been like?
*J:* It’s definitely been interesting because it’s a new dynamic playing with a band, especially considering how long I played without a band. Where before I was able to slow down and speed up for dramatics, now there’s not really that option. It was just a matter of getting everyone on the same page. It’s one of those things; practice makes perfect. The more we practice, the better everyone gets.
*P:* Can you give us a feel for what’s going to be on the album? Will it be a mix of your solo acoustic material and the band?
*J:* Everything you are going to hear on the record is going to have a band, with the exception of possibly “For the Taking,” which I think is going to be a stripped down, acoustic-and-vocals song. Otherwise, everything else is going to be a more broad rock n’ roll type sound, featuring a full band.
*P:* What sort of artists that you listen to inspire you in your writing?
*J:* I guess Tegan and Sara, Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers. I like that kind of stuff. I like strong vocals. Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie is probably one of my all-time favorite writers. When I started writing, I guess I took a lot of what he did and incorporated it into what I do, without being him, you know? I feel like my vocal range is far different from his. I try to take bits and pieces and do my own thing with it.
*P:* I understand you have just finished recording some tracks with Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy. What was it like having Andy in the studio, and what kind of advice has Andy been helpful with for you on your journey?
*J:* Well, Andy played on a couple songs. He played on a song called “Everything Ever” and another song called “Time Stand Still.” We’re hoping to get him in on one or two more before the process is concluded. But yeah, he’s been great playing in the studio. He came in after only having a brief period of time to listen to the songs I gave him, and he nailed ‘em. It was pretty incredible to watch. I mean somebody who has had that much experience in the studio, to watch how quick he moves compared to most of the guys we brought in.
As far as advice, we don’t really talk about the music business that often. What we have talked about, it’s been how he came to be in his career, how his band had to fight for it… basically shoved the record down people’s throats. As far as putting it in the right place, he could do that, but as far as making something happen, that’s basically on me.
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