Dublin-based duo, JamLive, consisting of high school friends J on vocals, and Jacob on drums, have created an ethereal musical duo, influenced by Radiohead and U2, fused with acoustic and alternative. The duo’s musical cohesiveness is evident in their lyrics and musical style, and the duo’s vision focuses on the audio as well as the visual. The debut music video for their single “Stay,” features J and Jacob dressed up performing on a desolate land, with interspersing scenes showing the good and bad of a new relationship. Each scene flows smoothly with J’s voice as he sings the story so richly.
In our interview with J and Jacob, the duo chat about their music focused on the audio and visual components, and why they’re both so important, the writing, recording and filming for “Stay,” and what’s next.
You both attended high school together and went separate ways to schooling; what drew you both to pursue music as a duo?
J: Our friendship.
Your music focuses on the audio element along with the visual component. Why and how do you feel these are most important aspects with your music?
J: I think film can be just as important as music. When I write a song I visualize it. I imagine the message and feeling through the video and make a story – one that represents what it means. I then usually tell this to Jacob and we expand. For example, for our next single we planned a video of us running away from evil, finding a house and a key – It was a retelling of the Prodigal Son. I have other songs where I visualize capturing the feeling/emotion/experience of deep grief, loneliness, sadness and resolution visually. Jacob and I agree and expand upon these ideas together.
I absolutely love “Stay”; it’s emotive, lush, and dreamy. What is you guys’ writing and recording process like?
J: Thank you. It was actually a very stressful song. It was redone and took months of editing. We started working on the track in December and had a master in April. But I was very happy with how it turned out with Jacob, me (JamLive), and our producer Joe Egan.
Filming the video for “Stay” features both of you singing on bare land, with clips of a blossoming relationship falling to the wayside, then blooming again. Did you both have a lot of input with the trajectory of the video?
J: We both sat down and did some storyboards together. We worked with the AD, DOP and editor Patrick while filming and taking turns. We enjoyed the experience of directing our vision. The video was all our idea and we planned almost every aspect of it.
What’s next for you guys; a single, a video, a new album/EP, etc.?
J: Next up is a lyric video for our next single ‘Home’ over the following few weeks. A new album
is also in the works.
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite so far?
J: I went to see The Script in the O2 arena with my friend about 10 years ago. My favorite may have been Liam Gallagher back in November because it was great being with my friend. I don’t like concerts if I’m honest and I don’t go often.
Jacob: I think my first was Green Day in Marlay Park, Dublin. The best was probably Helmet because their playing is unbelievable, their music is perfectly suited to live and it was in a small, intimate venue or Idles because they play extremely well and have some of the best stage presence I’ve seen.
Who’s your bucket list concert to see?
J: No one really comes to mind. I’m focused on crafting right now.
Jacob: Deftones, but I would have preferred to see them circa 2000.
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
J: I love beauty. I love beautiful music. It’s so important to experience beautiful soul-touching
music so at its deepest level: “Hymn of the Cherubim – Tchaikovsky.” Other songs mean a lot to me because of my friendships, especially after a few beers when we really connect over songs that we’ve always loved. “Just The Two of Us” by George Washington, Jr, and Bill Withers because of what it means for my Mum and I and this old Russian Tv show song as well (no one really understands apart from us). Then probably “All I Want Is You” by U2. My Dad always picks up the guitar and plays that song to me ever since I was a kid. “Beautiful Day’” by U2 is another one that’s important to my Dad and I.
Jacob: Deftones-Around The Fur, Freddie Gibbs-Freddie, U2-Achtung Baby, Djrum-Seven Lies, Kanye West-Yeezus.
What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?
J: Interesting…My mum would play “Just The Two of Us” – that was a CD she would play when we were young. It’s a track that will always mean a lot to us as mentioned.
Jacob: A Kylie Minogue CD I believe.
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
J: Relaxing Jazz (laughs), really long and commercial jazz as well – but sometimes it’s just what I want to hear.
Jacob: Nav.
Connect with JamLive on Instagram.
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