PHOTO CREDIT: PureGrand
Popping onto the scene like a breath of fresh air, Jack Rua gives us invigorating, confident tracks. With sucker punch dance beats, his singles give a glimpse of the potential pop powerhouse he could become. Speaking to our deputy music editor, Jack spoke about his hypothetical debut album, his influences and the importance of fans.
Congratulations on your new single ‘Curious’ and the success so far! How has it been releasing music into the world and what has the reaction been like so far?
Thanks so much! Curious is possibly my favourite song I’ve released so far. I say that every time I release a song but ever since Porridge (my collaborator and co-producer) and I made our first demo of ‘Curious’ I knew it was going to be a single, so it’s very special to have it out. It’s been amazing to be releasing music again, I took a bit of time out from releasing my music and underwent a personal and artistic rebirth. A lot of hard work and time went into making this music, so to have it out in the universe and to have it be well received is a dream.
What can you tell me about your new album?
My new what?? What do you know? Who have you been talking to??… If hypothetically I were to release a project in the next 2-3 months, I would say that the project would be a collection of songs that represent a coming of age, both personally and musically. It’s about seeing your reflection and falling in love with it, but also fearing that love and that co-dependency. It would be about embracing your ego and unshackling yourself of the things that are holding you back, but it’d also be about recognising that the world is frightening and that this newfound confidence can be taken away from you in an instant…. But this is all hypothetical isn’t it?
Your music blends emotive pop and synthy beats together reflecting the resurgence in powerful pop once again, do you feel like you’re contributing to this renaissance?
It is amazing seeing that type of music start to rise up again. I mean I’m not sure I could say that I’m contributing to that renaissance per se, I’m just making the music that I want to and feel like making. I would say that I want to write music that inspires people and gets them moving. Sometimes if you want to get people to think, you have to get them to dance first.
Would you consider your music ‘queer pop’ or would you see yourself more as a queer artist who makes pop?
I would say that I’m a queer person who is currently making pop music. My music is very queer almost inherently because it’s fun, theatrical, upbeat and fierce, but I don’t want to limit myself to just making pop music.
Who would be your biggest influences?
My four biggest inspirations are David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Madonna and Prince. I have always been fascinated by artists who embrace theatricality and present themselves and their art in a very glam way. A lot of people are very surprised to know that Lily Allen is one of my biggest influences but I absolutely love her music, particularly her lyricism. I also love John Grant, St Vincent, Charli XCX, Joan as Police Woman, Allie X… loads!
Do you have any dream gigs you would love to play?
My current goal is to play festivals this summer. I’ve never played a festival before and I really want to. I’d also love to play at Pride events because I think my music would be very appropriate in those environments. I also hope to open for a big act soon. I love discovering artists who are opening at concerts and I’d love to one day be that artist!
How important do you think fan support is nowadays? Especially since artists would be more reliant on streams now instead of radio play for example.
Incredibly important. And it’s so important for artists to be constantly engaging and engaged in their music scenes and in the circles they find themselves in online. Obviously we ain’t making any money off singles and albums on streaming platforms, so it’s very important to have a good rapport with fans and supporters because they are the ones who have a vested interest in you as an artist, not just in the snapshot of your art that streaming services offer.
