A Dirty Dozen with JAX HOLLOW – December 2020

According to a recent press release: “Jax Hollow have released a music video for “High Class Bitch” off their upcoming debut album Underdog Anthems which will be coming out February 2021. “High Class Bitch” is the first single and is now available for stream/download. Jax Hollow is a complete artist. She’s never short on authenticity, badassery, vagabond soul searching and powerful songwriting. With a unique blend of classic rock, blues and American, her music stands out as an undefined and refreshing soulful expression. The album is produced by the legendary Michael Wagener. Also, joining Jax on her debut album are Leilani Kilgore and Angele Lese. Also appearing on the album playing bass is Peter Baltes (Accept).” We get Jax to discuss new music, reflection on her past, 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?

There are some top of the line special effects by Angie (Drummer), where Michael Wagener recorded us kicking around beer bottles and smashing them for “Wanted Woman.”

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

Led Zeppelin got me into music. As an introverted, awkward, 13 yr old kid, I just needed to attach myself to something, and music was the perfect outlet. I also wanted to be the female Jimmy Page.

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

It’s all over the place. As a guitarist, you respect the longevity of iconic classic rock riffs, and the raw vocal talent from the pre auto-tune days. But I’ve also gravitated towards Motown, R&B, rap, pop, and old school country. I guess there’s not a specific artist, maybe that’s why my sound is a bit hard to define.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

I love Racheal Price from Lake Street Dive, Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes (although I think they broke up), I like Jack White’s weirdness, I like Shakey Graves’ character, and I think Ashley McBride is a total badass who’s more rock than country. Oh, and Derek Trucks totally rips.

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

LIZZO ALL THE WAY! I feel like a co-write with her, or a studio session would be insane. Her energy is everything.

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?

I’d say it’s a bit of fresh air. There’s no auto-tune, the songs breathe, there’s a dynamic range to them, it’s not all BAM POP PRODUCTION IN YOUR FACE all the time. It’s old school approach, you let the song speak for itself and you put all your heart and talent into it. As far as cringe, not too much cringe yet- but give it time. Before I cut off my hair people would say “Oh Hey Taylor Swift” which is yikes, I don’t like that comparison at all, and can’t really see it.

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?

Unfortunately due to Covid, we haven’t had as much Band bonding as I’d like to, but we’ve certainly had a few great moments together. None of us cook, we just eat haha, and as soon as you put a guitar in front of Leilani or me, we’ll ignore you and go into our own little world.

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

Chris Stapleton, I rang him up back when I worked at a music shop, and after he signed the receipt, there was a slight hesitation from me, debating sticking the paper in my pocket and print another one out for him.

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?

The absolute best part of being an artist is when your songs resonate with another human, with the same magnitude you felt while creating/writing it. Sometimes songs are like having a significant dream- you can’t wait to tell someone about it because it means so much to you, but no one ever wants to actually hear what you dreamed about. So, it’s validation that you’re doing your job right. Human connection.

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’d like you to ask me about Berklee, so I can warn kids to stop going there. I’ve had to unlearn everything, none of the connections I made mattered much, it’s just plastic. Plus that’s not even the start of the crushing debt you receive. I understand and know how to craft a high quality song, but I never figured out why until I had to search for that purpose. School won’t give you that why.

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?

I’m still in the process of creating my “do-overs” (: But I love every min of it, esp the hardships. That’s why I made the Underdog Anthems.

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?

I think I’d want to part of a Muscle Shoals session, something organic and soulful. Or maybe Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors, where chaotic good happens, and tensions are high and released through music. Some kind of energy dispersed.

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?

Live performances. I had no idea how much that loss of connection, and just plain fun, would effect me until I lost it. I played almost every night in 2019, and to go from that high to nothing, was very hard.

JAX HOLLOW LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Interviews