Page 95 - ION Indie Magazine JULYAUG 2024

Tim Board: How did the group get started?

George: The group started with A.C. Hill and myself. It all started as a
bedroom project just writing and playing at home while we roomed
together for part of summer. We met playing outside the dorms at NC
State University. It was 2009 when we added drums and bass and shortly
after when Danny Johnson joined the band on lap steel, guitar, and keys.

TB: Has it always been the same members or has there been
additions and subtractions over the years?

Danny: When I came in midway through the first full-length, it was the
first major addition to the line-up since its incarnation years earlier. Our
line-up changes have usually been precipitated by a major life event
(returning to school, relocation, additions to the family, career shifts), but
we’re the band we are today because of the contributions of everyone
who has made music under the moniker Jack the Radio.

George: We’ve had a few member changes over the years for sure, with
different drummers and bassists over the years, as well as A.C. Hill
(singer, guitarist) leaving the band in 2017. Life happens -- with jobs,
families, kids, and priorities can change. Each one brought their own
energy to the band and led us to where we are today. Same with the
guest musicians and singers that have recorded on our albums.

TB: How has the changing of band members altered the dynamics
or sound of the band?

Danny: We’ve been lucky enough to play music with so many talented
individuals since the band was founded, and I think that anyone who has
been a member of the group brought their own unique feel to both the
recordings and live show. I would attribute much of this phenomenon to
what music influenced them personally and what other artists they’ve
played with in their career. Speaking from my own experience, I believe
bringing lap steel, baritone guitar, and a fairly experimental collection of
effects pedals to the band helped contribute a swampy, spacey vibe to
some of our tunes.

George: Any time you have someone new come in they bring their own
approach and feel, whether it’s in the studio or on stage. Sometimes
that’s led me to approach a song differently. On our first three studio
albums, I was sharing lead vocal duties with A.C., but with our last two
albums, I’ve been the primary vocalists and songwriter. That’s pushed
me to focus more on the melodies and the lyrics and to dive deeper and
be more vulnerable with my voice and lyrics. In those early records, I was
mostly focused on the musical hooks and the groove and vibe of the
songs first and the lyrical story second. We’ve been very fortunate to be
able to bring in some amazing guest musicians to record on our albums
over the years like White Wright (American Aquarium, Rhett Miller) and
Allyn Love (Steve Wariner) on pedal steel, and BJ Barham (American
Aquarium), Lydia Loveless, Tamisha Waden (Foreign Exchange),

Jeanne Jolly, and Liz Hopkins (Delta Rae) on guest vocals.