Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Jacob Fitzgerald's newest single, 'Pretty Good For My Mind', is an ode to how his parents first meet on a dance floor as teenagers and the life they've created for each other.
Electronic beats mash with lo-fi guitars creating an indie pop aesthetic that gives the song a charming hue that will brighten your day.And what's not to like about that big, dirty '80s sax riffage! Wilbur Wilde would be impressed.
"All my life I’ve been told my Dad was a hot-headed rebel and that my Mum was the beautiful, calming influence that made him get it together," Jacob says.
"I've never really seen that side of my father, so I found it to be quite romantic and poetic that after meeting on the dance floor as teens, they came together, grew as people and built a whole life.
"While this track is conceptually about how my folks met, the overall message is that our partner should bring out the best in us. They should be good for our minds."
Here, Fitzgerald shares a few pointers to make your day top tier.
1: The Playlist
Man. . . I first discovered the key ingredient to starting my day like a champion in the summer after I finished high school.It's 9am. Dad's mowing his precious lawn out front and Mum's banging out a cuppa on the terribly loud coffee machine in the kitchen. After getting home in the early hours of the morning from another sh.tty pub gig, a teenage Jacob quickly learns that a sleep in ain't on the cards today.
Rolling out of bed is a chore, and I start the day with a ruffle of my bed hair that turns me into a B-Grade Elvis impersonator. I open my door and greet the day with my signature scowl as I stomp my way through the hall in search for food. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll even pinch Mum's coffee from under her nose.
With each step towards the light, my little ears are greeted by the sweet, feel-good tunes from artists like Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis & The News or Poison. Classic '80s rock.
They hit my ears with force and fill my body with the sensation of 'life ain't too bad on this summer's day Fitzgerald. Ease up buttercup.' That became the birth of the first and most defining step in making my day a goodie – the playlist.
See, life isn't a movie, but it sure can seem like one with the right soundtrack. You wanna have top-tier day? Just groove to your favourite track for the three and half minutes and you're golden.
I fill my 'Wake Up, Sunshine' playlist with pure bangers. Nostalgic tracks from my childhood, songs that remind me of movies, memories or merely make me feel sexy as hell.
Today for example, I started the day with 'Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car' by Billy Ocean and it was followed up by 'What I Like About You' by The Romantics.
Try shaving your face while moving along to those groovers; cut city on these cheeks. It's simple and common method to starting my day, I just need the good vibes.
My playlist is littered with a vast array of artists, which all share the same motive. "Wake the F... UP and smell that coffee boy!" Speaking of. . .
2: Coffee
I'm a 22-year-old muso that writes pop/ rock tracks in his makeshift home studio, drives a big van, has a nose piercing and a growing tattoo collection. It'd be rude not to have a coffee addiction at this stage. Cliché complete!However, I find that after a solid groove party while freshening up, there's no better feeling than a morning coffee while reading the old emails.
In all honesty, my morning coffee doesn't serve as a 'pick me up' these days. I associate the drink with beginning the tasks at hand and settling into my groove. It's a staple of my morning routine and a tasty one at that.
The key to having a rippa day really starts at the beginning. It's hard to come back from a low-vibe morning. So, starting with a fool-proof routine of joy makes all the difference for me.
3: Fresh air baby
It's amazing how much benefit you get from breathing that fresh air into your lungs. But like. . . REALLLLLYYYYY breathing it in; taking a moment to stop and acknowledge the environment that surrounds us.In my case, I think being cooped up inside with global pandemics and my own stubborn, creative brain allowed me to obtain a new appreciation for taking a quick breather.
So much so that I make a vow to get outside and soak up some freshness every day (well, close to).
Whether it be a walk, run, or just eating a banana under my pergola, I find there's something special about it. And half the time you don't even have to do anything. Just let the wind hit your face and recharge the batteries for 15 minutes. It's the little things.
4: An A-plus Lunch
Many say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But if that's true, then that makes lunch the most fun meal of the day.I meant what I said earlier. About starting your day strong. However, sometimes it's good to have a tasty trick up your sleeve when approaching the afternoon burnout.
Lately, a toastie with a whole load of fillings has taken my fancy, but that doesn't stop me from whipping out some pesto fettuccini with honey-roasted pumpkin from time to time. Eat well, feel well or in my case: Eat big, live big babyyy!
What can I say, I'm a lunch boy at heart. I'll forever love the event of quickly cooking something up that really makes you wish you could hug whoever sourced the ingredients.
Regardless of your feelings toward lunch, make yourself something nice for your afternoon. Even a good old ham 'n' cheese sanga gives a quick moment of peace for the day. Add a cup of tea and maybe even a book with that one. . . Heaven on earth.
5: Moments of Expression
This last one is usually the make or break in my 'top-tier day'. See, I'm a musician. I love having a time to create and build on some of the ideas floating in my brain.Sometimes nothing seems to stick, sometimes it's of moderate value, and sometimes I even make something I deem as half decent! Regardless, I find a lot of value in taking time to let my thoughts run wild.
Yet, there are moments I find myself unable to express myself musically. Writer's block if you will.
For some time now, I've carried around a little, brown-leathered notebook which is simply just inviting to write into. At first, I wanted it to be a journal or document of my thoughts. Then, over time, songs, ideas, quotes and poems became what filled the pages.
When I'm in a rut and can't quite nail my demo ideas down, I turn to the book. I write what I'm experiencing and after awhile, the process spits out some inspiration. And if that doesn't work, I turn back a few pages and see if an old flame takes my fancy.
Song ideas are always ideas. There's always another route.
I guess what I'm saying is that whether it be my outfit for the day, my creative process, sitting out in the sun writing my troubles away, calling my family, or chatting to a mate, I enjoy taking a moment or two to express the thoughts and feelings brewing inside me.
Telling someone I love them or writing something I'm proud of fills me with a great sense of purpose and inspiration. And more often than not, they all feed one another.
