Congratulations on ‘Tired’! To start with, tell us about the conception of the song. How does the song compare to everything you've released before?
Tired is a song that is based on my feeling Tired of everything going around me. During a very difficult period of time for me personally, I kept seeing and experiencing different things that made me feel tired of the world around me. I was unsure what to do next musically during this time when I accidentally stumbled upon an old interview of Nina Simone. In the video, she says “an artist’s duty is to reflect the times” and “when every day is a matter of survival, you can’t help but be involved”, and it hit me. During the time, I was living in East Acton here in London and there were several things going on wrong. Three Prime Ministers changed within a month, The US pulled out of Afghanistan and the Taliban took control, Russia and Ukraine started a war against each other, There was a minor budget made which caused the UK economy to go into recession. I realized then and there that I was not the only one who felt this way. Around the world, people are tired. And I related to that combined feeling of misery and being tired over the things happening. And this is how the song “Tired” was created. This song is an important point in my career as an artist. To me, it defines the transition of my old sound to what my signature sound is, as an artist. The mood changes, the lyric writing, my Image, everything is more refined now. To me, this is the best song I have till now as it clearly depicts what I want Silver Jack to be.
Who were your influences (if any) while making the track?
I have majorly three main influences for this particular track. They are Lazarus by David Bowie, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John and I’m not the only one by Sam Smith. Mr Bowie in his last ever album Blackstar, delivered Lazarus, a genius jazz-rock track, an ultimate swan song with a stunning music video to go with it. The poignant lyrics and his iconic style rendered into an unbelievable rock song send shivers down my spine every time I hear it. This song is so important for my song Tired, as it gave me an idea of how to proceed with the overall musical concept of Tired. How many times have humans decided that they want something else than the things they are forced to do? I have always looked up to Elton John’s amazing piano-playing style in Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. His style of playing the piano goes in tandem with his singing. Base chord playing is one thing but manipulating the chords to make the piano sing as well while enhancing his vocals and the overall song is pretty amazing. This song helped me with the song structure for Tired. Sam taught me all about singing in falsetto. At least the song, “I’m not the only one” is the first time I heard someone singing in falsetto. The amazing chord structure with a slow-paced tempo and the arrangement of the strings hit right on the spot of what the song is trying to convey. “But when you call me baby, I know I’m not the only one” is probably the best love song lyric I have heard these last two decades from a contemporary artist. This song gave me an idea of what works for my voice in Tired and how unique the song structure should be.
You also announced that your new album will be coming soon. What can you tell us about that project?
“Tired” is part of my next album, “Can I Have This Dance?”. This album is my third-ever studio album and this album represents a part of myself that hopes for things. All the songs in this album are about hope. Even tired, is a song that ultimately wants and hopes something other than the feeling of being tired. Therefore, the concept behind the album is basically hope in a mode of request. This project is incredibly personal and I have put in my heart and soul as artists often say, in this album.
You mentioned that you want to make art with a meaning, or art that reflects your experiences. Can you share a bit more about why this has been important to you as an artist?
“An artist reflects the times”. These haunting word by Nina Simone always plays a million times in my mind whenever I make music. In my daily life, with the people I mingle with, In situations I am kept, In everything that makes an impact on my thinking, I make music regarding it. An example of this is the track Bottle of Peace from my album. I went to a monastery in India where I am from originally, with my mother and in the monastery, there is a place where a lamp is kept. This lamp burns 24 hrs, 365 days a year. And the surreal thing is that a monk, will always be chanting “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna and circling the lamp for 24 hrs, 365 days. Isn’t this amazing? While most of us run around with work, on eating and sleeping, there is a place where the only thing important is love towards god, whomever he/she/they might be. This became the bottle of peace I wanted to drink from as I think everyone should drink from this bottle of peace of love towards a higher power guiding you through life. I think this is what makes me an artist. The internal as well as external and these experiences is very important for me to make good music. I’m not saying that it should be the same in every artist’s life and this is the only way to make good music. This is mine and I think it is important.
What does ‘Tired’ symbolise to you in the trajectory of your career?
I hope this is one of the songs where people realize, hey this kid’s kinda cool. And that is all I truly wish.
How did writing and making ‘Tired’ help you to grow as an artist?
It helped a lot. It made me mature as a producer and a lyricist as it made me concentrate on simplicity and also on the things that normally I wouldn’t concentrate on. The sonic space of the song is very crucial to the song’s beauty. If all the instruments were not in a relationship with each other, It wouldn’t work and in my opinion, the Bass Guitar is what makes the song more and more beautiful and sexy. Uncomplicated lyrics, a cool beat and the funky atmosphere all delivers in my vision for the success of Tired and my growth as an artist.
Which artists are you really excited about right now, and what's currently on your playlist?
I think the major artist that I am excited about is Linkin Park. I feel that my life just rewind-ed back and I am excited to hear a band make new music that I used to listen to as a kid. I am so excited for Oasis for their upcoming tour. In regards to my playlist, I am currently on a listening high for M83, MGMT, Sam Fender and Grizzly Bear.
If you could go back in time and speak with the version of yourself who was just starting out in music, what advice would you give to yourself?
I would say to the kid to start listening to M83 much sooner. This is just to become more aware of music production. All artists should take up skills of music making. Its important to grow and have songs that are personal to you as well. Collaboration is good but self-identification is as important.
What do you hope listeners will take away from ‘Tired’?
I sincerely hope that listeners will love my song and my album and think, “Hey, I found a cool artist, This Silver Jack dude is really good.”
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