Calgary-based creative force Jack Trades returns to the release radar alongside fellow Canadian musician Heather Janssen with ‘On My Mind’. The esteemed powerhouse’s latest directly follows his last Physical Presents release ‘Change Your Mind’ from earlier this March, and also serves as the talent’s fourth musical offering of 2021. Out now via Physical Presents, ‘On My Mind’ is available to listen to across all streaming platforms.
THE INTERview
CR: Hello Jack and Heather, Glad to have you on Canadianravers how are you doing?
Jack: Hello Canadian Ravers, I am doing great, thanks and appreciate you reaching out!
Heather: Hey Canadian Ravers! Thanks for taking a minute to chat with us and share the new track with your community.
CR: Tell us a little bit about yourselves, what is your story?
Jack: I am a Producer/Musician/DJ from Calgary, Alberta and Heather is a singer/songwriter from Toronto, Ontario. It all started with me DJing and being super passionate about Dance Music and that’s when I decided to pursue it from a hobby to a real career. I wanted to do it right, so l formally enrolled myself for Music Production/Engineering/Songwriting courses and have been producing electronic music for many years. Started off with Trance on an anonymous alias and then transitioned into Dance Pop Music with the Jack Trades brand.
Heather: As for myself, I grew up surrounded by music. I remember writing my first song at 8 years old, and teaching myself guitar around 13. I felt this urge and desire to share the things I was writing, and so I started on Youtube. I was able to grow a supportive community there, and throughout years of musical transitions, learning, and growing who I am as an artist and what I want to say (and how I want to say it), I’ve commercially released a number of singles and am now working on my biggest project to date.
CR: The track ‘On My Mind’, tell us a little bit about the process and how you connected with Heather Janssen for this?
Jack: This was actually a follow-up to my biggest song “Kill Me Slowly” with Heather and after all the success, we just knew the magic had to be re-created. The process started from laying a few of instrumental(s) ideas and sending it to Heather. From there basically she picked one and started laying down ideas and writing to it. Then we go back and forth with the concept of the song, lyrical writing/melody and after all that, the production process begins.
Heather: Jack said it all! I remember the demo of what is now On My Mind standing out to me, when I first heard it. At the time, I was going through a relationship of my own, and the lyrics naturally wrote themselves. It came together quite seamlessly.
CR: How long did it take you to find your signature sound for your tracks? Were there any hurdles along the way?
Jack: To be honest, it took 4+ years with the Jack Trades project and it is still evolving. The biggest hurdle was figuring out the balance of keeping the artistic integrity yet sounding commercial at the same time.
Heather: For myself and my own songwriting, it’s definitely been an evolution of sound and style. I think that’s just natural, as you grow up and understand yourself more, you naturally go through phases and realizations and self discoveries. You figure out what works and doesn’t work, and what feels right. I’m confident now that I have a pretty strong understanding of what my signature sound was meant to be all along. Just took a minute to get there.
CR: What is the best advice you received while pursuing your career as a DJ/Producer and who is your biggest supporter?
Jack: Stay in your lane, focus on the music and cut out the noise. My biggest supporters have always been the fans.
Heather: Patience, persistence, perseverance. Less advice that was given, but more of something I’ve learned over time. Sometimes, slow and steady really does win the race.
CR: We know Dance/Electronic scene is huge in Canada how did that influence you as an artist? Also, which club in Canada is your favourite to attend.
Heather: The dance/electronic scene here is amazing. Especially Toronto. It’s so inclusive and warm and there are so many incredible djs/producers. I’ve been lucky to connect and collaborate with a few, which has definitely influenced my ability and love to write for this genre. Can’t say I have a favourite club/bar. Love driving in to the city and happening on hidden gems. Although, I’ve always had a good time at Love Child and Lost and Found.
CR: Which Canadian artist would you love to collaborate with in the future?
Jack: They say shoot for the stars – none other than The Weeknd’
Heather: Joni Mitchel, through and through.
CR: What do you like to do during your down time when you are not producing music?
Jack: Podcasts & Fitness. Have to keep your mind and body fit.
Heather: Literally anything creative. Painting, decorating my home, cooking and baking, diy projects, writing, hiking, running, staring at Pinteres. Anything that’s sure to inspire.
CR: If you had the opportunity to open for one major artist, who would it be, and which venue would it be?
Jack: It would be Tiesto at the Zouk Nightclub in Las Vegas
Heather: Adele, Carnegie Hall.
CR: Are there any projects that you are working on? Any exciting post-pandemic plans?
Jack: Always working on a lot of projects but there are 2 in particular very excited about! Cant spill the beans just yet but can tell you one of them is with someone who is a close friend and a previous collaborator. Post pandemic would love to go out there and actually play my music live!
Heather: I’m keeping my lips sealed, but myself and my team are working on something that’s really close to my heart.
Heather Janssen
Texting or talking? Talking
Coffee or tea? Tea
Hard liquor or Wine? Depends on the night. Both, equally.
Cake or pie? Cake
Hot dogs or hamburgers? Hotdog
Xbox or PlayStation? Whichever one lets you play Mario Kart.
Movie theatre or arcade? Movie Theatre
Guitar or piano? Piano
Marvel or DC Comics? Marvel
Dog or cat? Dog (Huskies have a special place in my heart)
Hot weather or cold weather? Something in between.
Jack Trades
Texting or talking? Talking
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Hard liquor or Wine?
Cake or pie? Cake
Hot dogs or hamburgers? Hamburgers
Xbox or PlayStation? Xbox
Movie theatre or arcade? Movie Theatre
Guitar or piano? Piano
Marvel or DC Comics? Marvel
Dog or cat? Cat
Hot weather or cold weather? Hot Weather
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