A QUICK CHAT WITH JACOB FITZGERALD
YOUR NEW EP ‘JACOB FITZGERALD & THE ELECTRIC CITY’ IS GREAT! WHAT, OR PERHAPS, WHERE IS THIS ‘ELECTRIC CITY’?
Thank you! We’re super proud of these songs!
Anyone across my stuff knows I have a little lightning obsession. It just became the “thing” that I’ve done and became like a trademark. I couldn’t even tell you when it really happened… it sorta just did! So when the band started to become more and more involved with the music, it was only fitting we gave them a name that was “on brand”! ‘The Electric City’ is the band. It’s the team as a whole. The faces that make our live show so exciting and engaging. The reason behind that electric feeling you get when discovering an act for the first time. So not only is it a phonetic play on words, but it’s also a genuine identity for our outfit. There is no me without them.
WHAT DOES ‘JACOB FITZGERALD & THE ELECTRIC CITY’ MEAN TO YOU AND WHAT MESSAGES DO YOU WANT TO CONVEY TO AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD?
This EP contains a really special bunch of songs! I’d say the project has been the most meaningful one to date too. It marks a moment in my career where I was finally able to let go and build something different. I’ve found my people and creative team to help drive the music forward. It’s not just the rinse-and-repeat process of the previous records. So, in saying that, I guess I want people to know that this new era of the “Jacob Fitzgerald” sound is upon us. The band, our identity is no one. We’re chasing big band energy and really have made a conscious effort to put our own stamp on the sound of the new music. It’s just exciting to dive into!
WAS THE CREATIVE PROCESS BEHIND EACH TRACK DIFFERENT, OR WAS THERE A SIMILAR ROUTINE AND STRUCTURE TO WRITING THEM?
I’d say the writing process is pretty consistent for all the tracks. I often have a basic idea and will finish the structure of the song before taking it to the gang. It’s from there, most often in rehearsals or the studio, that we really flesh it out and find the right elements to fit.
However, I think that the sources of inspiration for these tracks were vastly different throughout the process of this EP. For example, ‘Muse’ was conceptually created to combat the fact nobody knew how to sing our songs whilst on tour. And ‘Long Way Home’ was co-written with bandmate, Alex “Rick” Walker after I went through a breakup. He was a catalyst for squeezing that song out of me. I wasn’t really “present” enough to write on it but felt the song come to life with the two of us on it together. That was very rare for me.
I guess overall, the songwriting process was consistent, but the way they came about conceptually varied. They aren’t all standard love songs and will often explore deeper emotions that have come through new ways of exploration!
YOU’VE SPOKEN A BIT ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT EACH MEMBER OF THE BAND IS TO YOU AND WHAT THEY BRING TO SONGWRITING AND PERFORMING LIVE. IF THEY WOKE UP TOMORROW WITH SUPERPOWERS, WHAT WOULD EACH OF THEIR NEW ABILITIES BE?
What an awesome question. I’d say they almost already have superpowers with the way these guys play music… but here goes!
Reuben – Shapeshifting:
This guy is LOVED by everyone. I seriously don’t know anyone who doesn’t like him. He’s like Bob Ross. I’d narrow that down to being a social chameleon and having the widest range of hobbies I’ve ever seen. Pair that with the power to shapeshift and Reuben would have the best one-two combo in his arsenal! Dangerous
Charlee – Flight:
It’s a classic but it’s fitting. The ability to fly. See, Chaz is so effortless, so smooth and so elegant (not to mention so BUSY!) If she could fly… not only would it match her personality and solidify her place as the coolest person I know, but she’d be the most productive, powerhouse woman I’ve ever seen. I know she would enjoy a “handier” superpower too!
Dakota – X-Ray Vision:
Whilst we call him “Lance Farmstrong” amidst our ranks, super-strength wouldn’t be this man’s ability. No, Lance would have X-Ray Vision. When we drive on tour, the man can see everything! “Hey look at that”, “Did you see that person’s sandwich!?”, it’s crazy! I feel like that, mixed with the ability to see through walls and such, would make him a top detective and crime fighter hahah!
Alex – Telepathy:
Alex already has a super-human gift man. No lie. He could make the most nervous person in the world feel calm. He must release some kind of pheromone that makes you euphoric. We laugh about it all the time. For that reason, I’d want him to have Telepathy. Imagine wigging out over day-to-day things and ol’ “Rick Hollywood” sends you some words of wisdom or positive thoughts to calm ya down. He’d be unstoppable! Crime would dissipate completely, the world would stop fighting wars, and the planet would somehow stop warming, all because Rick sent a message saying, “chill out guys”.
ANY SHOWS PLANNED IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
Yes! We’re hitting the road with Loose Bricks over Nov/Dec 2022. We absolutely love those guys and can’t wait to play their East Coast run with them. This tour was really meant to happen in 2021, but of course plans had to be adapted! We are so pumped to play these tracks live and reconnect with fans. It’s a whole new thing baby! I hope everyone is as excited as I am!