1. Where are we talking from today?
A. Seattle! My band and I are currently on a full west coast tour from San Diego to Seattle and back; we play our last Seattle show tonight and then it’s back to Portland tomorrow and back home to Santa Barbara after that.
2. Where did you get your artist's name from?
A. As of now, I am a solo artist that plays shows with a band, so the band’s name is Jack McCain Band and on tour, we tour as a trio.
3. Music-wise what are you working on right now? Are you currently promoting a single or album?
A. I am currently working on my first full-length album called Out From the Dark. The title track single was released in January of this year and it won three awards from the Indie Music Channel in LA (best rock song, best rock producer, and best rock recording). I also released another single from the album called To Be Happy Again, both songs are available on all streaming services. I hope to have my album done and ready to release by the end of this year.
4. Who or what were the most significant influences on your musical life and career?
A. My biggest influence musically is a band from the UK called Catfish and the Bottlemen. The way Van McCann writes his lyrics and so beautifully pairs it with awesome music truly inspires me to make the best music I can. Another big influence on my guitar playing specifically is John Mayer; I incorporate a lot of guitar solos into my live shows and recordings and studying Mayer’s techniques and abilities have helped me become a better guitarist as well.
5. Who are your favorite musicians?
A. My favorite musicians are all the musicians in the following bands: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, The Hunna, John Mayer, and Cage the Elephant just to name a few.
6. What have been the greatest challenges/frustrations of your career so far?
A. The greatest challenges I have faced and am currently facing are financial barriers. Sometimes a lot of things I want to pursue in my career requires a lot of money like recording costs, touring costs, etc. I currently work part-time on the side of music as well to help, but juggling music and work is a challenge that I am working through to make it to where I can sustain myself from music without work. Luckily, I have a job that allows me to tour for a month or two at a time and pursue my passion so I am extremely grateful for that and the opportunity to pursue music in the first place.
7. As a musician, what is your definition of success?
A. My definition of success is to make 100% of my income from music and music only, without having to work on the side. I believe that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. I love music and everything that comes along with it; my success will be when I can afford to do nothing but make and play music.
8. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A. My idea of perfect happiness is being able to see the world through playing music...and bringing my dog Rose with me everywhere I travel.
9. What is your present state of mind?
A. My present state of mind is a little anxious, mostly anxious to get back home and get in the studio. I’m itching to make some more new music and may even write some new songs for the album. I have all the songs currently written and mostly recorded; but while touring, I’ve had a lot of new ideas so I may record new songs for the album as well.
10. What is your most treasured possession?
A. Well, it’s not a “possession” in the inanimate sense of the word, but my puppy Rose is very awesome and my favorite companion. She is a four-month old husky/German shepherd mix. She is on tour with us currently and loves being on the road and coming to our shows. Another treasured possession of mine, is my Jim Root Fender Telecaster, the guitar I play on stage. I love how amazing it plays and sounds when I solo and I would be devastated if something happened to it or my puppy, Rose. :)
11. What do you enjoy doing most?
A. Well, the obvious answer to that is music: I love every step of the process; writing, recording, touring and playing live. But other than music, I enjoy surfing. I grew up in San Diego where there is a big surf culture. I didn’t start surfing from a young age like most San Diego locals who surf, but I enjoy it and have surfed in some pretty cool places with some big waves.
12. Where would you like to be in 10 years?
A. In ten years, I want to still be making music, touring and making a comfortable income doing so.
13. Where you @ online?
-On Instagram, I can be found at the username @jackmccainmusic. All of my music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. under the artist name Jack McCain.
Instagram link:
https://www.instagram.com/jackmccainmusic/?hl=en
Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/album/0pqH9KjHvmBCuNiBdcOJlY?si=VV803QY-Q5uGr7V7FkMF9w