Jack Goldstein is an artist who’s always walked his own unique path in the musical world. Formerly the magnetic frontman of psychedelic pop outfit Fixers, he’s long since shed that skin and re-emerged as a fiercely original solo artist making music that refuses to be boxed into any one particular style. Now living and creating in his own experimental universe, he stands at the crossroads where lo-fi pop collides with emotion, theatrical invention and a healthy dose of the unexpected.
His solo career has been marked by a steady string of inventive releases, each one another turn in the kaleidoscope. But his forthcoming LP, with the impossible-to-ignore title HELLFIRE BUMPER STICKER COWPUNCHING JEWBOY, promises to be his most ambitious yet. Due out next month on the Fabulous Things imprint, it’s billed as a hyper country voyage through love, identity and survival in a world gone sideways.
Clocking in at 46 minutes, the record is as emotionally dense as it is musically adventurous, drawing strength from grief and spinning it into something defiantly colourful. The lead single lifted from the record, titled “MUD MICE,” offers an exciting first taste of what’s on the way via a song inspired by half-flesh, half-dust creatures pulled from Jewish folklore.
The track plays like a backwoods campfire séance filtered through layers of psych-tinged pop trickery. It’s got enough punchy energy to feel instantly familiar, but Goldstein wraps it with such textured production and eccentric flair that it becomes something else entirely, resulting in a hazy, country-inflected alternative pop outing unlike anything else.
Set up with washed-out pedal steel tones, only to be overtaken by a wall of harmonies, heavy drum kicks and vocals that warp, flicker and drip with vocal effects, “MUD MICE” sees Jack serve up a hazy soundscape full of twists and turns. Driven by the steady stomp of crashing drums and dashed with winding instrumentation capped by his compelling vocal performance, the track offers a sound that’s at once dreamy and energising from start to finish.
Flowing through moments of stripped-back sonic bliss and anthemic choruses of downtempo rhythm with delicate vocal layers, “MUD MICE” presents the perfect showcase of Jack Goldstein’s highly unique and thoroughly enjoyable musical vision. With his next album arriving next month, fans will have much to look forward to from this visionary artist and his off-beat yet truly engrossing sonic output.
We caught up with Jack Goldstein to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “MUD MICE” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Jack Goldstein below.
Hey Jack, how’s things?
Good, thanks.
What’s your earliest memory of making music?
It’s not really making music as such, but conducting my dads brass band as a kid from the side of the stage i guess. I had my own conductors baton and I used to pretend to conduct the band as they were playing.
In terms of making music, my friends and I used to get in my bedroom as kids and make up fake bands and then we’d just press record on a blank cassette tape and improvise a bunch of songs.
Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?
Brian Wilson always.
For the new album it’s a lot of Country stuff, lots of Nanci Griffith.
How else do you find inspiration for your music?
I dunno really, I think my music is quite visual. I won’t necessarily write a song with a sound in mind, but more a photo or a drawing. I really like bumper stickers [hence the album title]
What do you love about your local music scene?
I live in Margate and music here is great. There’s so many great artists/bands here and lots of great grassroots venues like WhereElse, Tom Thumb Theatre and 101 Social. There’s also great promoters here like Sammy from Awkwardness Happening and Cat who runs Margate Sounds. In terms of bands/artists I like from Margate, i’d have to say Xav Clarke, Charlie Hannah, Debdepan, Fruit Band, Yemrot, Melinda Bronstein, Clementine Blue, Wandering Albertross, Alsoworthy, Miserable Bastard, Lo Barnes and there’s loads more that I just can’t remember right now
I also have to mention Oxford, which is where I grew up and similarly has a some great people putting on some great music as well. Aiden and Rich at Divine Schism have cultivated such a special DIY grass roots way of promoting that really puts artists and bands first. As far as Oxford bands that I like, I have to mention Junk Whale, And What, Dream Phone, And What, Richard Lewis, Worry, Max Blansjaar, Haus Of Aphra, Holy Wounds and… the two greatest Oxford bands of all time, Winnebago Deal and Sextodecimo.
What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?
I really don’t care. It’s just cool if people check it out.
How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?
I think i’ve got better at production and better at mixing. I’m not so sure about my songwriting. I try not to over think all of this stuff.
Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?
I’ve already collaborated with my favourite artists. Everyone in Fixers, The Dresdens, Jet Ski World, Dream Division and all the bands I’ve ever played in.
How did you find making your new single “MUD MICE”?
It came quickly and was one of the last songs I wrote and recorded for the album. I kinda just make songs up as I record them.
What message did you want to get across with this release?
I’m an anti-Zionist Jew. The times we live in are utterly fucked. I write about love and grief, but also resilience and compassion. Why can’t human beings treat one another better? The genocide that is being committed by Israel is a perfect example of human beings being completely and utterly inhuman.
What artist have you been listening to most recently?
Nanci Griffith
What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?
I hope it does what any music should do and changes your emotions for the better.
Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?
I don’t know who i’d pick, perhaps Nanci Griffith right now. It would have been cool to meet her and to talk about country music with her.
Location wise, I guess either my flat which would be good because I wouldn’t have to leave the house or that dome in Las Vegas.
Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?
As an artist, I’ve been releasing music for a while and i’ve more or less got absolutely nowhere.
My advice would be to not follow in my footsteps whatsoever.
Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of the year?
I’m on tour and then my album, HELLFIRE BUMPER STICKER COWPUNCHING JEWBOY, comes out on June 20th on Fabulous Things Records.
Listen to MUD MICE below
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