10 Quick Ones with JACKIE DAYTONA – March 2018

According to a recent press release: “Jackie Daytona’s new album SHE’S SO HOT will release on Friday March 2nd via Tremolo Records. The debut album consists of 7 gritty garage-styled power pop anthems that was self-produced and mixed/mastered by Norman Matthew (Murder FM/As Strange As Angels). In August 2012, bassist/vocalist Jackie Daytona and drummer Justin Robinson began discussing the idea of creative partnership on a drum-and-bass style record. “We kind of started it as a joke,” Daytona said “because a drum and bass band would be the only way we’d get to make any decisions. I ultimately got Justin to agree that if I wrote some songs, we would make a record.” We get Jackie to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

This record is the product of a bass player and a drummer making all the decisions, which in a normal recording situation is never the case.  That being said, the drums have more freedom, and on a few of the songs we wrote in drum solos which just aren’t an option most of the time. On the bridge of “Uptown Baby” I “sing” a drum part, and that is actually part of the scratch in which Justin and I were trying to figure out what to play.  I sang that part to give him an idea of what I was thinking and we ended up keeping it!  You can hear his interpretation of the drum fill at the end of the section.  Also, the whistling part on there was from the demo that I cut.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

We always had music around my house growing up.  Neither of my parents were musicians, but something was always playing. Tom Petty, Seger, James Taylor, Aerosmith were always close at hand, but we also listened the radio often. I picked up the guitar towards the very end of high school, and immediately loved it.  I finished my 2 year degree at a local college back in FL and was selling ladies’ shoes at Dillard’s (seriously!), and had an opportunity to move to TX to play music.  I went for it knowing that if it didn’t work out, I could always go back home.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Right now at least: Tom Petty, The Killers / Brandon Flowers, The Ventures, Steve Earle, and Spoon

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Butch Walker is at the top of my list of people who I would want to work with.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

It’s aggressive, it’s charming, it’s blunt and its dreamy.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

The best thing about being a musician is that there are no rules.  There is freedom to create what we are inspired to create.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Justin and I have known each other for over 10 years and have traveled in other bands together.  We always ended up being roommates on the road, so we operate pretty well together.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

In my spare time I enjoy restoring old cars, so I think that would have been a great option.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

No real missteps, I think the biggest thing for me looking back is that I realize how much time I wasted.  I feel like I could have done so much more if I had managed my time better and focused more on my craft.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers recording Damn the Torpedos.  One of my favorite records of all time with one of the best bands of all time, produced by one of the best producers of all time.

JACKIE DAYTONA LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

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Category: Interviews