Noah Jack
Noah Jack is an artist who continues to move the goalposts of popular music. The singer/songwriter credits his high school production class as the catalyst to his current musical endeavors, which have recently paid off. Jack only made his debut last year but has since shown distinct versatility and lyrical ingenuity amongst his Emo-Punk contemporaries. He isn’t afraid to let his emotions speak for themselves, too, and his first three releases are all of the proof needed. It would be criminal to limit his sound to one genre – you can hear distinct hyper-pop and even r&b elements within his songs. Take “FACELIFT” for example, his sophomore single that currently has over 35 thousand Spotify plays. That overarching Emo-Punk sound combined with a serious knack for emotional relatability earned him five spots on the platform’s curated playlists. We spoke to the artist following the release and discussed his upbringing, lessons learned, and more. His latest song, “ANGST" which is accompanied by a new music video, is out now!
Hey Noah! First of all, congrats on the new release! How are we feeling now that it’s finally out?
It’s been so nice to see how receptive people have been to “FACELIFT”! I didn’t have any expectations going into the release and to hear such kind feedback has been a blessing.
“FACELIFT” is fantastic. What was the inspiration for the song?
“FACELIFT” was really about me being sick of writing dark music and my frustration that all my lyrics were going in that direction every time I’d sit down to write.
There’s a really cool vibe here for sure. Were you going for anything specific with the production of the song?
To be totally honest, not at all. When I’m going into a session or recording by myself I try to let my emotions speak for themselves. That day I was just really frustrated with myself for continuing to make the same, kind of sad music, and I let that set the tone for the day.
“ANGST” Cover Art - Click to Listen!
Let’s talk a little bit about your background. How did you first get into making music?
I started this journey when I ran out of art classes to take in high school and my only options were chorus and intro to music production. I was super self-conscious of singing in front of other people so I chose the production class, and it was only a week in that I was hooked.
Who were some of your main musical inspirations growing up?
I can’t really remember the context as to why I downloaded SoundCloud, but I remember being one of the only kids in my high school to be into underground music. I really felt a connection with guys like X and Juice who were telling incredibly personal stories and trials that they were facing, but then was put on to artists like Aries, Dylan Brady, and Kenny Beats. Now I listen to a lot of pop-punk and hyper-pop.
You’re described as Emo-Punk but your sound is really so much more developed. How would you describe your music to a new listener?
I’d say that while Emo-Punk is a great way to generalize the music, I definitely hate putting myself into a box. I’d probably describe my music as a blend of pop-punk and hyper-pop, but I love to keep people guessing. I’m also constantly trying new things because I’m still a developing artist, but feel as though the umbrella term “alternative” will always be thrown out there with my music.
Have you learned anything new about yourself since beginning this journey in the music industry?
I’ve learned how important it is to surround yourself with talented kind people and trusting them to help you. Collaboration is something that’s new to me but I’m already seeing better results because of it.
If you couldn't be a musician full-time, which is the next profession that you’d want to work as?
Before I made music I devoted all of my time to design, and I think that being a fashion designer would’ve been a great alternative for me.
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of the studio?
Music takes up most of my time these days, but when I am doing something else it’s usually thrifting or playing Call of Duty with the boys.
How have you been holding up during the pandemic? Has it affected your music-making process at all?
The pandemic really gave me the time to focus on becoming more technical in recording and producing. Although quarantine has sucked, it definitely allowed me to focus on music intensely.
What is the best advice that you’ve been given?
When I was a kid and I’d get upset, my dad used to say “rub some dirt on it.” I guess it’s kind of a different way of saying when you fall down, you have to get up and keep going.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would that be? What do you enjoy most about making music?
I’d tell myself to not care as much about what everybody thinks about what you’re doing. I remember psyching myself out of trying new things because I’d be so concerned about how my peers would react, and that’s such an easy way to stunt your growth as a person. I love that music can be so healing to not only the artist but also the listener, almost like a group therapy session.
Who do you owe your biggest thanks to?
My parents have been my biggest supporters in every season of life, and with music, it’s been no different. They love what I’m doing now and push me to be a better artist and human.