JACK MOY TALKS VACATION

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

You are releasing your new single 'Vacation' on Friday, what is this song about?

The song is really about fleeing the country Bonnie and Clyde style. The original idea actually came from my desire to escape all the concrete and grayness, hence the first line, "Got sick of the concrete so I’m leaving in six weeks from today".

What is your creative process behind a song?

Writing songs is basically the only thing I do all day. But, for me to go “all in” on an idea, I need some sort of hook, a melody or a lyric that really sticks in my head. Something you find yourself humming in the shower. Once the song is finished, the best part begins, finding a producer who can give the track that little extra. In this case with 'Vacation', we brought in Faråker, who I think did an outstanding job!

When do you know that a song is all finished?

In my case, I rarely feel that way. It’s more about accepting that it is what it is, and that you can’t keep working on an endless project.

How did you first go about getting your band together?

Jack Moy and Glöden has been a band since 2010, so those first steps are really the same as for every band, build a following. In our case we got incredible support from our hometown, Väsby. Something we’re still very grateful for today. I wish there was some 'Forrest Gump'-type story, but life’s just not that interesting. We’re best friends. When I wanted to start the band, Sebbe and Zebbe didn’t really have a choice. "Glöden" is Sebastian “Skojpajas” Söderström and Zebastian “Zlaktarn” Mattsson but really it’s just the collective name for us. We all even have a super cheesy “Glöden tills Döden”, “Glöden till death”, tattoo.

Do you all live off your music today?

You don’t live on music, you survive through music. For me, it has been my full-time gig for three years.

As I understand it, you’re mainly the one writing the lyrics?

I’m selfish when it comes to that and basically only write about my own life and flaws. It’s incredibly flattering when people relate, but that was never the intention.

Is it important to be authentic in your songwriting, though?

I think it’s part of the deal. I’ve got nothing to hide. If you’re going to write music, you’d better stick to the truth, this is not theater. Jack Moy is my real name. So I can’t exactly hide behind anything.

Could you ever see yourself writing and singing in Swedish?

Honestly, I can’t. Crazy as it sounds, I sing really badly in Swedish. My pronunciation and timing are totally off. My dad inspired me to write music. We’re English, we speak English, so it’s always been natural for me to write in English.

What did your musical beginnings look like?

I think I’ve always wanted to, but never really dared, but I picked up the guitar when I was fourteen-fifteen, mostly to impress people with 'Wonderwall' covers that always ruined every party. Yeah, I was that guy.

You've started your own label, what would you say is the biggest difference between being a signed and an unsigned artist in the industry?

We’ve gone from indie to major and back to indie again, and honestly, indie is the easier path for us. No one’s going to make you a star. Hard work and drive is the only way. We left Universal and today we run our own label 194entertainment, where the "194" is a tribute to Väsby, it’s the postcode.

Are you tired of being described as Sweden’s answer to The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons?

I think it’s because we were the first in Sweden with that kind of genre, easy to pitch. But to be honest, there aren’t that many similarities.

Over the years you’ve had more or less clothing on, can fans expect something like that again in the music video for 'Vacation'?

(Laughs) No, I think we're done with the whole naked thing, our bodies are just parodies of themselves at this point, so I think we’d better keep our clothes on moving forward!

Was there ever a reason behind the frequent lack thereof?

I think it’s just always been like that. Growing up playing music in basements, it was always hot and sweaty. And that just carried over to Jack Moy and Glöden.

So how's the people treating you?

Man, the people! My heart melts for them. They shower us with so much love it’s almost embarrassing. I’m not embarrassed to say we’ve got the best, most amazing fans. Thank you all if you’re reading this. A proper summer tour with fifteen dates is coming up for us to meet, so far we’ve only announced seven. But if you keep your eyes and ears open, you won’t miss us.

Any gigs abroad?

Does Norway and Åland count? (laughs)

There’s been talk that you’re setting your sights on the U.S?

I can say the ball is rolling. We’ve signed a publishing deal with a company that is fully focused on the bigger market. So with some luck you might see us there in the not-too-distant future.

What happens next?

We have not really decided how to move forward. We’ve got enough material for an album, but it’s unclear if it’ll be ready this year. What is certain is that more singles are coming this year.

What do you hope listeners will feel when this song officially drops on Friday?

They should just let loose, grab a beer, go out in the sun, and feel good with the people they love!

Three songs that must be on the vacation playlists this year?

'Bam Bam' by Sister Nancy, 'A Message To You Rudy' by The Specials, and 'A Punk' by Vampire Weekend. Without these, you might as well cancel the whole summer!

What’s your best vacation tip?

Pack a bag and go interrailing, the journey is the destination. Comfort is overrated.

Your finest vacation memory?

It’s hard to pick something specific but I love Swedish weather, those evenings when it suddenly pours rain just as you’ve planned something big. It always becomes so unpretentious when everyone looks like crap and is soaking wet. Those summer nights stick with me!