Interview with Zakk Jones
Zakk Jones is a modern country and fusion singer.
Why did you want to do music professionally?
Well, I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a "professional musician" but I truly had no conception of what that actually meant for a long time. I think the question for me has always been-"what else could I possibly see myself doing besides music?". Even in the hardest, hungriest of times as an artist, I never found myself straying far from the music business. Music has the transcendent ability to make me cry, laugh, shout, think, and dance, sometimes all at once. Participating in the creation, production, performance, and educating of this art is what keeps me coming back day after day, year after year.
What inspires your music?
Inspiration comes in all shapes, forms, mediums, and times of day (or often, night!). Recently, I used my Great-Grandfather's poetry as a direct source to compose a suite of music called "The Whispering Gallery". I used his words sometimes very directly and literally-turning them into lyrics and melodies that match the cadence and imagery of his work. At the same time, I was able to use his work in more abstract, conceptual ways as well. Besides that specific example, I've been bitten by the creative bug while watching movies, listening to podcasts, taking a walk, playing with my cats, building relationships with friends and loved ones...Life imitates art!
What things get you in the mood to write songs, or do lyrics come spontaneously?
Writing is always a unique part of the discipline, because it is absolutely something that can be practiced and worked on everyday just like you would with an instrument. That being said, it's hard to deny my own personal experiences of a song/composition just hitting me out of nowhere. I think there are ways to get myself into that headspace, where I'm able to tap into the mana source of art that emanates from our universe. Improvisation is my personal gateway to composition-the two are almost indistinguishable sometimes. In the world of improvising, there is no good or bad, right or wrong. Finding answers isn't the goal, it's the process of asking questions. After a period of exploration, I can go back and start to edit and refine an idea that strikes me as having some potential for a more organized existence. Ultimately the process is the most important part, with a successful product sometimes being a nice cherry on top, but is not always the case.
How do you want your music to affect people?
This is always an interesting question to ponder. I hope for people to be engaged enough to listen to my music with open ears and hearts, but I don't have any expectations as to how someone may interpret my music individually. The music I write isn't entirely mine-while I may be the one discovering it and solidifying it in some way via written sheet music, recordings and videos, it's ultimately never finished until it's filtered through an audience. While I may have some personal views and emotional relationships with a given song, I don't mind if someone ends up having a completely different idea of what they think it means or conveys-that's actually the beauty of art in my opinion.
Do you test out your songs before releasing them? How do you do this?
Absolutely. Such a large part of my musical identity is based around my life as a performer, so I love to workshop new tunes by playing them out. Most of my repertoire is designed to be flexible, so it will often take on some sort of new identity depending on the people playing it with me, the people listening, and the space that we're in. With my two records as a leader, they have been done in a live playing scenario, and I don't spend much time altering the performance after the fact. The honesty of in-the-moment music is something that has always appealed to me.
How do you prepare for a gig?
No matter what the gig is, I want to make sure I'm accountable for the music! In many cases, I will be on stage without rehearsing with a band, so I need to know what songs we are playing, which version/arrangement, any extra parts or solos I need to cover, etc. If it's a new group or artists I'm working with, I want to do my homework beyond what is given to me-find any live youtube videos, watch interviews or listen to podcasts...anything to give me a leg up, be completely in control and confident, and show the artist that I really care about their music and this gig no matter how big or small. Besides showing up and knowing the music inside and out, the other aspect that is absolutely crucial is being professional, on time, respectful, and ready for anything to change at a moment's notice. You can prepare all you want, but things can and WILL go differently than planned. I always tell my students that we're not here to learn how to avoid mistakes, we're here to get better at your response to them.
What is your favorite song that you've written?
It would be "Spring In Ohio". It's generally a pretty straightforward country/americana inspired song with lots of cowboy chords, but the "solo" section is freely improvised everytime. If you've ever spent time in Ohio during the spring, you may leave for the day in a t-shirt and shorts yet by the time you get home you'd be wishing you had on a parka and snow pants! I've legitimately seen temperature differences of almost 80 degrees in just a couple of days. So, while the main melody and chords stay the same, the middle part will ALWAYS be a mystery-sometimes rainy, sometimes sunny, sometimes stormy, and sometimes it's downright raining frogs from heaven!
Has there been a reaction to one of your songs that you've been surprised by?
I'm always grateful when someone tells me they get lost in the music, and can really hear a story. No matter what that story is to them, the fact that my song gave them that experience is beautiful and humbling to me.
What are some ways that you promote yourself?
I used to spend quite a lot of time on social media, but I believe wholeheartedly that the best way to promote myself is by fostering deeper connections with people that go beyond liking and dropping a quick comment on videos. The smaller I make my circle, the more I can impact those around me, which will ultimately create larger reverberations than if I was trying to keep up with thousands of people online.
I do host a podcast called "Beyond the Frets", and occasionally put out youtube videos. My role as the Director of Jazz Studies at a prominent Conservatory also puts me in a forward-facing position.
What would you say has been the biggest challenge of your career?
Accepting that I can't please everyone. Building a reputation often means saying "yes" a LOT and delivering on promises. Now that I'm older and have a clearer vision of what I want in my life both in music and beyond, I am learning to be comfortable with the word "no". Saying no to someone else really just means saying yes to yourself, allowing more time to cultivate other parts of your career and life that may not have had any sunshine in a while.
What have been your favorite places to tour?
I'm extremely grateful to have had myriad opportunities to explore the US on tours. Places that stick out are Burlington VT, Missoula MT, Seaside (FL), and NYC. One venue that I'll never forget is The Troubadour in LA...a legendary rock club whose walls have been graced with the sounds of everyone from David Bowie to Carole King to James Taylor and..my band, Doc Robinson!
Are there advantages to being an independent musician?
I can't quite define what an independent musician is or isn't, but I can certainly say that I'm a lucky son of a gun to make a living through playing my guitar, writing music, and teaching the next generation. I have no desire to put my 30 years in somewhere and retire-this lifestyle is perennial. While the day-to-day specifics of what I'm doing may certainly shift as I grow, I always know music is at the core of my identity and will always be something I pursue.