Carly Jo Jackson

How did you get your start in Music? Did you grow up in a musical family?

Growing up, my family wasn’t so much musical as they were creative. On my dad’s side are writers and storytellers and on my mom’s side there are more writers and some musicians. My immediate family has always enjoyed listening to and singing music together, though. When I was young we would have little dance parties after school blasting Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bob Marley through the house. I started getting into music via church plays and school choir. Then taking acting and dancing classes outside of school which led to singing lessons. From there, I found I wanted to get a guitar and really try to pursue music.

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What made you decide to pursue music? 

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a singer. When we were young, my sisters and I would write songs and pretend to be pop stars. We’d also force our parents to sit through some very cringey “plays” with no distinct plot line and some wild song and dance.  At first, my dream of being a musician was more of a fantasy and I had other aspirations that I thought were more practical, like being a veterinarian or a teacher. However, as I continued making time for singing and performing as a hobby by taking vocal/guitar lessons and participating in small auditions for local plays and commercials, I realized that it was possible to make my dreams of performing music professionally a reality. I was a high-energy kid growing up and music was a really healthy outlet for me. The community there was very accepting of that part of me who was really excited to get on stage and reach out to others.

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In 2014, you were on America’s Got Talent. How was your experience on the show? What did you learn from that experience? 

America’s Got Talent Season 9 feels like a lifetime ago but is a memory I cherish hugely. I feel so privileged that at 20 years old I got the chance to experience what it was like to be on that big stage and to feel all the emotions that came with it. Being one of the many nervous performers backstage, all I wanted to focus on was gaining something good out of the adventure. I made quite a few amazing friends that are all still doing great things and we all still thank AGT for that huge lift in our careers. I’ll never forget how my leg was shaking when I did my first audition for Howie Mendel, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howard Stern, and the sound of the 5,000 people I could not even see behind the very bright stage lights. I still have no idea how my voice wasn’t trembling the way my leg was but I was so grateful that it wasn’t. When the judges gave me the green light on going through to the next level and the one after that I felt so overcome with elation, I cried right there on stage. The buzz of seeing the fans piled up outside after some of the most nerve-wracking auditions in my life was like a giant bear-hug of support. I thought “This must be what the big stars feel like”. 

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What I learned from that time on the show was priceless: that taking care of your performance means also taking care of your body and mind, also that being yourself is your best bet. I could name countless lessons learned from that experience; however, those two things come to mind as the most important. I was so focused on practicing that at one point I got sick and wasn’t able to perform my best, so moving forward I always make sure self care is a part of my daily regimen. I also found it easy to feel a little insecure when in a room full of so many talented people but remembering that I was there for a reason and to just be myself was a powerful teacher and helped take the edge off of the nerves. To anyone who is thinking of auditioning I say go for it! Who knows where it will lead.

 

Who are your musical influences? How do they have an impact on your music?

My list of musical influences is a very long and random one. I think all genres have something great to offer in opening a musician’s mindset as well as collecting inspiration. When I was at the very cusp of my music career and still learning how to play guitar, my most compelling influences were textured female voices like Colbie Caillat, Joss Stone and Fiona Apple. I’ve always been more of an alto and had a raspy voice so these singers made me feel at home when I’d take on their songs. Later on, when I started recording my own music with a full band, I would reach for enlightenment from even more powerful voices like Alanis Morissette’s rock-ability and Amy Winehouse’s brassy tones. 

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Today, I play songs inspired by many genres; rock, r&b, hip-hop, and country. I make sure to include things I like when writing songs, and sometimes that has me rapping in one moment and making jazz trumpet sounds in the next. Finding a way to bring these influences together from across the board is what gives a song endless possibilities is what makes music so fun. 

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What was one of your biggest obstacles in your music career and how did you overcome it?

One of my greatest obstacles in my music career has been working with the struggles of ADHD. As aforementioned, I had really high energy levels as a kid, as well as a hard time organizing, focusing and completing tasks. That led to a lack of self-confidence and getting in trouble for acting out in classes and at home. While school was always a struggle, as I got older I realized the detrimental ways that ADHD would affect my music career and other aspirations if I didn’t get a handle on managing my symptoms. Focusing on getting anything done, whether it was as menial as signing paperwork or as big as filming an audition, always seemed like a mountain to climb in my eyes. 

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Thankfully, throughout my lifetime I’ve had the opportunity to seek help. Going to therapy has equipped me with skills needed to manage the effects of ADHD and after years of practice I’ve been lucky enough to find things that work for me. It’s still a daily struggle, however, I’m also very blessed to have the support of family and friends who know I have a hard time with these things. They’re always there for me when I need a hand in figuring out how to move forward with a project or when I just need some motivation.

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I know it’s difficult for working musicians to juggle work life with music life. How are you able to balance them? 

I agree that this balance is tough, but it’s very important to keep good boundaries and to have peace of mind and get the most enjoyment out of being a musician. I’m very grateful to be performing music full-time, but while that gives me lots of time to focus on my career I also find there are specific issues that come up when keeping boundaries between home and work strong. For example, since I do music full-time, I do not receive a salary or a fixed income. Therefore, I have to make sure that I’m not spreading myself too thin with gigs just to keep food on the table. Although that is a priority, it is still pertinent to the preservation of my career that I don’t wear myself down so much that I can’t perform well. Also making sure I have time after shows or on off days for friends and family is an important part of the balance and sustaining good mental health.

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What is your writing process?

Usually when I start writing a new song, I am first inspired by words. Whether it’s something I’ve overheard while seated near a feuding couple in a cafe or a funny saying my friend quoted from her crazy grandmother, inspiration is everywhere. I then take my “interesting” words to the guitar and try to find some chords that fit around it (or as I like to say I try to build “a house” for the words to live in). I like using chords that are tried and true, but then adjusting them to the emotions of the song by creating something atypical about them. There are very common chord progressions out there, you’ll find them all over the radio and in most popular songs, however there are so many ways to add changes of your own to those trustworthy chords, or add some glitter, so to speak, by adding suspension or using different fingerings. Then as I start to get comfortable with what I’m creating, I take it to the stage. I feel that this is one of the more crucial steps in songwriting. Everyone has their own way to go about constructing songs, however, performing your new song live for an audience (at a gig, an open mic, or even a campfire) is a great way to feel out if the song is hitting the way you’d like it to. Getting a grip for what it’s like to hear it in this way will help to let you know what the song needs. 

 

There are musicians who feel hesitant to collaborate with other musicians. You’ve collaborated with many musicians including providing backing vocals on other’s music. How do you like the process and what advice can you give to any apprehensive musician?

The process of collaborating and providing backing for other musicians can be so beautiful. I totally understand being nervous to reach out, it’s in our nature to not want to be in the way or to make a scene. But for a musician, it is one of your greatest tools for success. Other artists need support just like we do. Being there for someone to celebrate or collaborate with their talent is a great way to make long lasting relationships and open doors for new networking opportunities.

 

Also, providing background music, whether it’s vocals or instrumentation, is an effective way to gain all-around knowledge in performing and also in creating your own projects. Some of the most useful performing tips I’ve received have come from singing harmonies in the studio and on stage for other musicians. The first-hand experience of performing alongside other artists is irreplaceable and teaches a hefty lesson in being part of a team. Getting a glimpse into the mindset of other musicians that you like and seeing first-hand how they operate is the best way to polish craft and can help you make decisions on how you would like to proceed with your own work moving forward.

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What is the story behind “Feel It”? Did you use your normal writing ?

“Feel It” is a tired testament to heartbreak. It’s about feeling left out from the group but still skipping along, anyway, hoping to someday be a part of it. 

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As I approached my 30’s, I realized my life was looking a lot different than those of my close friends and family. They were at home by 5pm, cooking dinner and doing laundry with their budding families. Meanwhile, in contrast, I was out late every night playing what felt like an endless amount of parties in countless smokey Texas bars. The lifestyle I was living was so exhausting. It felt like I was running a race I’d never finish and the goal of that race was to finally have some time to settle down and make a family of my own. Things are different now, much more settled and not as tiring (balance and boundaries have been a big part of that change), however, I am always grateful for the lessons learned in each song and I sing “Feel It” proudly for those who have been in the same boat. 

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Writing “Feel It” was a really enjoyable process. It was originally composed on ukulele. I had the first and second verses finished when I brought it to the studio where my friend Eldridge Goins (of Mixorama Productions in Austin) and I worked out the chorus and bridge. It felt like an exhalation to finally get it out there.

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I see that you support Andrea Magee's Music Helps. Can you tell me more about them and how is it important for you to give back to your community?

Yes! I spend time weekly with Andrea Magee’s Music Helps program by the grace of Andrea hosting local musicians to volunteer as music helpers at Helping Hand Home in Austin, TX. In this program we teach the kids different music lessons, like basic ukulele chords, writing songs, choreographing dance moves to go along with those songs and so much more. These sessions are all based around the main goal of teaching confidence and exercising creativity through music. It feels incredibly fulfilling to give back to my community in this way. Seeing their faces light up when they hear their songs played back to them or when they hear their peers cheering them on makes every moment magical. Everyone deserves a good relationship with the outlet of music and we are so honored to be able to help facilitate that.

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How do you think the music industry can improve on nurturing a healthy environment for women musicians? 

I think for a long time the music industry has been very male-dominated, especially in behind the producing, recording, and managing. Today this has changed, but I still think that the music industry could improve on a healthier environment for women musicians, and especially aspiring musicians, by opening up support outlets in those roles. This could be done by hosting women-led production and management classes in music communities. A huge part of being a musician is being able to clearly express what you need while signing deals or recording in the studio. Having knowledge in the law and production areas of music is a powerful tool and will help any musician in understanding what’s best for their career. In my opinion, these roles have been historically mostly male so having more support for those women who desire to be in these positions could be beneficial.

 

What advice would you give to any aspiring musician wanting to pursue a music career?

I think the best advice I’ve ever received is to focus on what you bring to the table. Your magic is worth finding no matter how long it takes. Someone out there is waiting to hear what you have to say and you never know where writing one song can take you.

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What can we look forward to for your music in the future?

I have a new song, “Good Boys,” releasing on all platforms on February 13th! Also looking forward to making a really fun music video for that one in the following months that should be out by the end of the year. I’m also excited to be working with local Austin producers on a few singles over the course of the next year so keep a lookout for new releases coming soon!

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