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- Hi Jeckel, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
I’ve been good, thanks! Releasing a debut album is an interesting and fun experience. With the pandemic hopefully whimpering out, the summer now in full swing, it feels like we’re at the cusp of a new era of humanity.
2. Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Unite”?
I feel positive about the future, I really do & yet there is so much inequality and horror in the world. I wanted to capture the sadness & the sheer implausibility of issues such as homelessness, planet pollution and war almost as a historical document. We, as future ancestors to a modern, fair and self-actualized humanity will be asked some tough questions. They will say that we avoided uncomfortable emotions. I wanted the issues to be laid bare and to highlight basic facts that people are dying for no good reason. The only way we can stop all this is, is to Unite as one people, as one planet. Celebrate our differences & Unite!
I also wanted to capture the overall mysterious nature of our existence, that we really don’t know why we’re all here, probably so we can learn important lessons like this.
3. Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
Not really. It’s about acknowledging negative feelings in a world where it can be taboo to express negative emotions. The title of the album ‘Rewilding’ is about just that, rewilding as humanity – getting real, figuring out what’s wrong as human beings and fixing it. Not just fixing corporations.
4. How was the filming process and experience behind the video?
The video was produced by the amazing Mariska Roothman from South Africa. She beautifully captured the essence of the song and translated it into this captivating video. It’s a real skill to identify stock footage so pertinent and sequence/manipulate it in such a way that makes it authentic to the song.
5. The single comes off of your new album “Rewilding” – what’s the story behind the title?
We need to rewild to stimulate growth of nature as our urban concrete jungles grow, but it’s as important to rewild emotion back into society. Why is it that folks feel it appropriate to share what they’re really thinking with paid engagements like therapy? What friendships used to be about was talking, sharing, expressing the good, the bad and the ugly without fear of judgement. The art of friendship needs to be rewilded. The art of expression through any means needs to be rewilded. The News cycle needs to be rewilded to include positive news stories. Let’s put it all out there and stimulate authenticity once again!
6. How was the recording and writing process?
The album was recorded, produced and mastered by the incredibly talented and cool dude Mr Greg Bieck of Drive By Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Greg has an uncanny way of bringing the best out of all musicians with an unrelenting positive vibe. I must also call out the amazingly talented James Mitchell who played all of the electric guitar parts that you hear on this album. Alison Krauss is one very lucky lady to have him in her band!
The writing process was in my studio ‘the shed’ at my home in Dublin, Ireland. I sometimes get lyrical ideas out of nowhere when I’m out and I type these into my phone before I forget. I suspect songs and melodies come from a place that we can’t see, so tapping into that field is an art form onto itself.
7. What role does Ireland play in your music?
Ireland is the land of saints and scholars, a country where music is indelibly inked into its people historically. Music is about expressing emotion and even the term keening is of Irish origin. Traditional Irish music is uplifting and the platform for Irish dancing which is done mostly in groups. Modern music and dance is individualistic & we’re slowly losing our culture sadly in Ireland to shiny western culture. I hope to more deeply explore Irish music in the future and incorporate it into my music.
8. How did the pandemic influence the writing on this album?
There’s one song on there called ‘Malaize’ that was written during the pandemic and expresses the Malaise that being confined for such long periods of time created. The pining to break out of it and yet the knowledge that it’s not possible.
9. Where else did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?
I reflect and write on things that others can relate to, things that elicit emotions and help us move forward.
10. Was it easy to be this positive and hopeful in times like this?
Yes. There is no other way. If Victor Frankl was able to do so, then so can we.
11. What else is happening next in Jeckel’s world?
I’m a busy father of four, so my wife and I enjoying raising our young family, trying to balance work and home life. I’m looking forward to seeing Alanis Morissette live for the first time & I constantly pray that Radiohead will release more new music. 😊
Streaming/Download: https://tinyurl.com/Jeckel-Music-Rewilding
