We had a chat with the endlessly creative and uncompromisingly unique Jack Goldstein ahead of the release of his new album the 🌍 is ending and i ❤️ u
With a sound that feels distinctly his own, a revered, intense live show, and recent life experiences that would leave a profound, lasting effect on pretty much anybody, Jack Goldstein is a truly unique figure in the UK music industry right now. The artist’s work often feels like cathartic, lo-fi explosions of sound, uncompromising in his creative vision and always, always doing things his own way, for (often) better or worse.
The artist’s latest release is ‘((((((SAILIN))))))’ (with exactly six brackets before and after, because I’ve had to keep checking), one of these aforementioned explosions of sound that sums up exactly what makes the artist’s work feel so vital and riveting. The track may be unlike anything you’ve heard before, but its poignancy and the sheer impact hits you in ways that few others can, literally bursting with drive and emotion. No amount of reverb and other effects can detract from the sheer rawness of the sound, and as it continues to descend further into chaos and catharsis as it progresses, the feeling that it leaves you with is profound. The track is just the first release from the artist’s upcoming album the 🌍 is ending and i ❤️ u, a body of work that the artist has described as an “exploration of love, loss, family and hope.” and looks to be a jewel in the crown of someone who has lived many lives as an artist and musician. We had a chat with Jack to find out some more about his experiences, his journey, and what we should expect from the forthcoming new LP.
Who TF is Jack Goldstein?
It’s me. I have a new album, “the 🌍 is ending and i ❤️ u”, being released on June 24th on limited edition double cassette tape on Beanie Tapes. I composed the album in the aftermath of losing both my parents during the UK lockdown. It’s an explosive expression of the pent up emotion of lockdown and a positive and progressive endeavour to recapture the cherished emotional vulnerability that the process of grief hardens us all to. I was basically caring for both my parents and felt like I had to become so fucking resilient. As a result, you become jaded by everything. I wasn’t gonna reside to that. I know things can be beautiful and great and wanted to make an album that attempted to puncture through the systematised pixilation of toxic neoliberalism to something more corporeal.
How long have you been making music?
Ages. I started out in hardcore punk bands and then played in a psych-pop band called Fixers for years. I now do my own thing and play in the bands Jet Ski World, Jade Hairpins, Dream Division and Fixers.
Why do you make music?
I just fucking love it.
What are your biggest influences?
Brian Wilson, Randy Newman, Lindsey Buckingham, Cheap Trick, George Michael, Steve Beresford and Chris Sievey.
This list never changes.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
This interview.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
I guess it’s DIY hyper-pop. I usually just tell people the kind of music I like, I think that’s a good starting point.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
I just wanna be able to tour non-stop, play shows all the time and record music all the time.
We love your new single ‘((((((SAILIN))))))’, what more can you tell us about it?
It began life as more of a Randy Newman/Brian Wilson ‘nautical ditty’ which I think is still deep in there if you go looking for it. It then slowly mutated into this harsher, louder monster. The evolution of that track is definitely a reflection of how I have felt over the last two years. I always think about the end of Richard Adams’ The Plague Dogs [SPOILER ALERT] and I use the hacky old metaphor of going out to sea for dying or for some kind of transcension.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
My album is out June 24th and is available for pre-order now. I’ll be heading out on tour from June 24th and hitting Oxford, Margate, Sheffield, Brighton, Bristol and a bunch more places. If you want a show in your town then get in touch.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
Tom Cruise.
