Music is definitely in Jackson Lynch's blood. The New York-based mainstay of Jackson & The Janks, a band described as "New Orleans-inspired rhythm & blues, garage gospel, and straight rock & roll," spent his early years in Ireland, a land with rich musical traditions.
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His great-grandmother was "a county farming lady" who played the concertina. Lynch's grandfather was a fiddle and harmonica player. And his dad was "a working musician" who specialized in Americana and rock and roll. He owned a fabulous, eclectic collection of records that young Jackson grew up listening to and loving.
Now, at 35, Lynch is set to release his second album with The Janks on Jalopy Records on June 27. Titled Write It Down, its first single, "The Kick," drops on Wednesday, April 9. Two other singles from the album, "Windowsill" and "Let's Leave Here," will be released on April 30 and May 28, respectively
Lynch recently spoke to Wide Open Country about his unflagging passion for the American music of yesteryear, his intense desire to keep it alive, and what motivates him creatively.
Listen To Jackson & The Janks' New Single, 'The Kick,' Here
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Jackson & The Janks is the culmination for me of a lot of my musical inspirations," Lynch said. "I started playing music in high school especially the traditional music of America, through a lot of different musical influences, whether it be country blues, jug band music, old time fiddle music, bluegrass and country. I stared just trying to play traditional music to learn the language...with Jackson & The Janks when I was living in New Orleans, while playing traditional music, I felt like I had the language to start writing my own songs."That artistic evolution signified that Lynch was prepared to create something himself, "as opposed to only playing and respecting the old stuff," as he put it. He added, "These songs [on Write It Down} are respectful, and can stand alongside the old music that I love so much and the universal stories it tells."
Jackson Lynch Is Justifiably Proud Of The Upcoming Album
"On this record," Lynch said, "there are very intimate songs, heartbreak songs, and breakup songs and love songs. But there's the song, "The Kick," which is just about a dance that kind of me and my buddies in New Orleans made up on a Thanksgiving night."
Lynch's songs are keenly personal for him, reflecting his experiences and background. "Most of the songs that I have, whenever I sing them, I still remember the moment and the people and the times that I had that inspired these songs. Each song is like a Polaroid of a memory."
He Talked About His Musical Heroes
Lynch's country music icons include heavyweights like Hank Williams (1923-1953), who, in Lynch's opinion, was "one of the best songwriters in recorded music," and Kitty Wells ((1919-2012), plus two other monumental figures. "Lefty" Frizzell (1928-1975) and Webb Pierce (.1921-1991). Of the latter two, Lynch explained, "I think of them all the time when I'm singing. I'm very focused on how to be a crooner, but with some edge to it. Lefty Frizzell and Webb Pierce are two of my influences in the art of singing."
Lynch Is Enthralled By Writing And Performing Music
When I spoke to Lynch, my overarching impression was that he absolutely gravitates to music. He adores singing, performing, recording, and being with those he cares about to do all the above. In fact, even before Write It Down is out in two months, he is writing songs for his next album.
"Whenever I have time," he said, "all I want to do is just like sit down and learn a tune. Just for the love of it."
He continued, "My overarching priority is playing music with friends. If it works out, great. If I can make a living doing that, great. But I know, no matter what happens, I'd be just as happy playing music with friends and enjoying it and make my money being a bartender for the rest of my life. And die sitting in a chair playing music with my friends. That's the ideal way to go for me."
