A Dirty Dozen with JACOB KULICK from KULICK – November 2020

According to a recent press release: “PA alternative rock singer/songwriter Kulick (who recently accumulated over 3 million combined streams on Spotify), continues to give fans a preview of his upcoming debut full-length album Yelling in a Quiet Neighborhood, out October 16 on ENCI Records. Originally from West Penn, PA, Jacob Kulick who now goes solely by his surname, turned his tiny closet into his own private music studio at age 12 and began writing and recording songs as a way to cope with his anxiety and the loneliness of being an outcast. “Middle school was a tough time—I went through a lot of disassociation and bullying, like a lot of people do when they’re different in a small town,” says the 28-year-old singer/songwriter.” We get the Jacob to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Yelling in a Quiet Neighborhood is my debut album, written about loss, guilt, shame, and acceptance. I have listened to these songs way more than two times, and I still find new things in the songs. I wouldn’t say there is anything super hidden, besides some small production tricks and a few lyrics.

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

I started with drumming and singing, but I really took it seriously when I learned the acoustic guitar. I was always journaling before that, so writing lyrics felt very natural. I don’t think I ever had a single “moment” where I knew I wanted to be a musician. I gradually grew to love it.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Tom Petty was one of the first inspirations I had, without knowing he was even inspiring me. He wrote such short, catchy, storytelling songs, and that’s exactly what I wanted to write. A Day To Remember’s Homesick was a special album to me too. They showed me that you could blend genres together, still have a storyteller lyric, and use production tricks, like bass drops and multiple vocal tracks, used as a wall of sound.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Tom Petty, A Day To Remember, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Story So Far, and Twenty-One Pilots.

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

Ryan Tedder. He is a talented singer, songwriter, and producer. I have always wanted to work with him. He does everything that I want to do, and he does it well.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Loud, Honest, Emo-Pop Rock music. One reviewer started their review with “We almost decided not to like Kulick on principle; he’s just too cool for school, cheekbones and all that.” I just didn’t like that I was possibly being looked at as “selling cool” because that is the opposite of what I try to do. I don’t like how the industry sells sex and “coolness.” Being cool is just loving yourself and being humble.

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

Cooks: The fast-food chain we’re at; Drinks: The drummer, Keith Gensure. He becomes KeKe; Acoustic Singalong: The drummer, Keith Gensure. Normally after he becomes KeKe.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Meeting John from The Goo Goo Dolls. It was backstage at one of their shows in Scranton, PA. It was just crazy to see him in person after listening to so many of his songs throughout my life. To share management is incredible.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Being able to create out of feeling. If I had another dream job, I think it would be making soundtracks for movies. I always love audio, especially in animations.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I like the far-out questions, so more of those haha! The main question I dislike is “how did you start music” only because that answer could be written in chapters of a book. There isn’t one reason, it’s a series of luck, chance, and general moments throughout my life.

11. 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,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

The only thing I would have liked to see is my single “Ghost” pushed to alternative radio instead of active rock radio, just to sit if it would’ve lived better on that format.

12. 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?

It would probably be the recording of “We Are The World” but only because there were so many greats in that studio.

BONUS QUESTION – Due to the current world situation with COVID-19 / quarantine / shelter in place, what have you discovered you miss the most from your life before the pandemic struck?

Aside from the obvious being playing and seeing shows, watching sports live. I’m not a huge fan of sports, but it’s something very nostalgic for me and relaxing. It is also typically a family bonding experience for me as well.

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Category: Interviews