Interview:

Thank you very much for agreeing to do this interview! Can you introduce yourself?

Sure, I’m Jack Jeffery from northern Virginia.  My music is probably best classified as Progressive/Psychedelic rock and Ambient. But there’s some Folk — even Americana — on the album!  My influences are Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, Brian Eno, The Beatles, The Moody Blues, Roger Waters, Syd Barrett, David Gilmour, Kraftwerk, Procol Harum, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), Nick Drake, Ash Ra Tempel, Manuel Göttsching, Tangerine Dream, John Lennon, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Stephen Stills, Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel, Yes, Rush.

How did you start playing music?

I originally started playing trumpet, but later learned guitar and keyboards.  I’ve always enjoyed music from the 1960s, particularly great records like “Revolver” by the Beatles.  I was very inspired by the great bands of that era along with Pink Floyd and Alan Parsons of the 1970s.  I started recording in 2006, but have been playing music for over 20 years.

Were you in any bands?

My music is a solo project in every sense of the word.  On the “Passage to Agadir” album, for example, I played every instrument, sang the vocals, and programmed some synthesizer, percussion, and special effects.  I also produced and mastered the album, and designed the artwork for the CD itself.

You just released your first full length album called Passage to Agadir. I would like to know how it was recorded and also if you can tell me about song writing a bit…

The “Passage to Agadir” album was recorded in my home studio using the following gear: Martin HD-28 acoustic guitar, Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar, Marshall amp, Roland SH-201 synthesizer, Studio Projects B-1 large diaphragm condenser microphones, Shure SM-57 dynamic microphones, Adobe Audition 3.0 (digital audio workstation).

I write songs purely on instinct and try to reflect how I feel at the time.  Sometimes it starts with a musical idea or phrase and builds from there both musically and lyrically.  Also, there are some moody instrumentals on the album which are intended to transport the listener to another place.  In fact, the last 20 minutes of the record is purely instrumental.

You must be listening to a lot of late 60’s and early 70’s  psych records. What are some of the best, that had a big impact on you?

Certainly anything by the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Alan Parsons had a tremendous influence on me (and still does).  I particularly like “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” by Pink Floyd and “Pyramid” by the Alan Parsons Project. Also, I really like “Easter Everywhere” by the 13th Floor Elevators, and albums by Syd Barrett, the Electric Prunes, Kaleidoscope (both US and UK versions), Country Joe & the Fish, the Pretty Things (“S.F. Sorrow”), the United States of America, the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, and the Small Faces.

What are some future plans for the you? Touring?

I’m working on material for my next album which is about 75% complete. 

What is your opinion about psychedelic scene these days?

I think it’s great that some bands today are returning to the sounds of the 60s — truly the golden age of psychedelic music.  I think we’ll see more of that as more bands begin appreciating what those bands were able to achieve with very limited resources.  Bands of that era used the studio as an instrument and made the most of what they had at the time and achieved very impressive results — often with just 4 tracks!  

Do you have anything else to add about the yourself?

Just to say that it was great fun putting the “Passage to Agadir” project together, and I hope that you and your listeners enjoy it. The tracks on the album are sequenced to transport the listener on a trip seamlessly through ambient, psychedelic, electronic, acoustic, and folk rock soundscapes. Headphones highly recommended! Just hit play on your CD player and enjoy the journey! 🙂

Lastly, on a philosophical note, the internet is the greatest thing to happen to the music industry in a long, long time. The landscape for all musicians now — indie or otherwise — is simply unlimited. For indie artists like myself, coverage on sites like yours makes all the difference — we need your feedback and respect your opinions. Thanks for providing that valuble service to indie musicians.