A mix of indie pop-rock charm, Melbourne singer-songwriter Jacob Fitzgerald shows off an impressive array of nostalgic pop influences on his sophomore EP 'Pretend I'm Cool'.
"'Pretend I'm Cool' marks the next step in my music journey. It's a whole new vibe in comparison to the music I've released in the past," Jacob says."I felt a change in the wind when partaking in the demo phase of this EP. I was writing with the band unit in mind, so naturally felt a calling to this new genre.
"From the onset we wanted to pay homage to our roots while incorporating a blend of modern rock meets '80s nostalgia.
"It's a record filled with ripping sax solos, stank-filled basslines and horn sections all while touching upon tales of lust, love and the abandonment of one's morals.
"A healthy mix of ballads, dance tracks and anthems is what my music is all about. 'Pretend I'm Cool' is no exception, it's just done with more intensity.
"I'm so excited for people to hear it and share this new chapter with us. I'm proud of what it's shaped out to be."
PRETTY GOOD FOR MY MIND
'Pretty Good For My Mind' came about after a conversation with a family friend one night. Collecting stories of my parents over the years has always been something I loved and led to one day deciding to write the ultimate ode and tell their origin through my music.All my life I've been told my Dad was a hot-headed rebel and that my Mum was the beautiful, calming influence who made him get it together.
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.
When you have a concept like that, the song really just writes itself. We added a bunch of synths, big drums and a roaring sax solo to really capture the era that the story is set in. Channelling a hybrid like vibe from artists such as The 1975 and Bruce Springsteen really helped build that world for me.
I wanted to make sure the track could be relatable without steering too far away from who I was talking about. For whilst 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, and I just wanted to convey that message with a bop.
@jacobfitzgerald_ Little acoustic jam of my track ‘Pretty Good for My Mind’! Go listen xx ⚡️#foryou #fyp #music #pgfmm ♬ original sound - Jacob Fitzgerald
NEVER JUST SEX
Part of the reason I wrote 'Never Just Sex' is that almost every rock star has a song about the big three: sex, drugs and rock & roll. However, I couldn't write the song without substance.This track quickly became much more than its original concept. I always seem to work characters, plot and imagery into my writing processes to build a world within the song.
'Never Just Sex' became about a person who decides they want to go all in. Takes the plunge and pitches their case for building something more. It's a tale of bravery and going after what you want. Sometimes you just know, and that in itself is worth exploring.
PRETEND I'M COOL
Firstly, I fricken loved making this track. I think it might be my favourite from the EP. I really love juxtaposition and find myself being painfully self-aware at times.Toying around with the idea of what is conceptually 'cool' made me realise how 'uncool' I was in my adolescence. I really had to put myself back in the shoes of a 17-year-old Jacob for this one.
I was never really a standout with the opposite sex, so I found it quite funny being able to use all the cliché things people thought were cool to my advantage. Drug use, smoking poorly rolled cigarettes and faking being drunk were very common traits in those around me. Somehow all the chicks were into that, but it was never really my vibe.
Eventually, I wanted to make the track focus more on the abandonment of morals. The thought of doing anything to get a chance at being with the one we want. That's ultimately what the track is about. The notion of 'I'm not cool at all, I'm not into any of this. . . but for you, I'll do whatever it takes' is so interesting to me.
While it's not specifically about me per say, I definitely had to draw on my own experience with that stuff. It was a fun trip into the past. Plus, we decided to utilise horn sections and big drums; the track started to feel so 'Quentin Tarantino' to me.
I wanted it to feel like you were driving down Hollywood Boulevard with the top down on your Chevy convertible. Crisp and cool. I really think Brent Quirk (producer) and I found the perfect balance with this one.
CATCHING LIGHTNING
'Catching Lightning' is a rather personal song. I've always found it natural writing about love, and sometimes the tracks aren't about any particular person, more so the feelings that accompany them.However, this was the first song I wrote with someone in particular in mind for quite some time. It's very much about my own experience of falling in love and knowing it's something you can't lose. When you feel that as a songwriter, it's always going to turn into something.
It felt really natural to write as we got to slip into the old era” of my songwriting and arrangement style. We ended up just making a song you and a loved one can share together, as that's what the song was destined to be.
LONELY
This one had been written for quite some time prior to the EP. It always felt like it was missing something in the early days.Taking the influence from the rock hits of the '80s, the band and I found that 'Lonely' should be the track to blast loud as you jump around in your bedroom.
Stepping away from the acoustic roots, it became about filling it with a hooky chorus, big chugging guitars and thundering drums, so it could sit on a Springsteen meets Gang Of Youths hybrid album.
Ultimately, this track is about the question of 'is this love or loneliness?'. Desperation, uncertainty and insecurity are the key themes floating in this track.
We wanted to capture all those emotions without the negativity and melancholy type stigma that it typically surrounds. It was just about upping the intensity with what we were playing and making the heart race a little.
@jacobfitzgerald_ Dropped a new song today. Go check out ‘Lonely’ wherever you consume ur tunes x ⚡️ #foryou #fyp #newmusic #newsong #lonely #australia ♬ Lonely - Jacob Fitzgerald
LOVE HURTS
This track sat hand in hand with 'Lonely' in the early writings of the EP. See, 'Lonely' is a track about the desperation of finding someone. Almost as if forcing feelings to avoid the loneliness.'Love Hurts', however, is about finding that said person and not quite knowing what to do with it. The notion of being caught off guard by its strength and pure power, ultimately being helpless to the emotions.
The 'hurt' comes from the weight of realisation that it's upon you. You're in love, and it's one of the most powerful feelings to hold.
I loved writing this one, it has all the elements I wanted and more. I'm proud of how it makes the listener feel. Starting out quite reserved and then building into a massive last chorus with a bit of grit and intensity. I feel that this song came together exactly how it was supposed to.
BIT OF A MESS
'Bit Of A Mess’ is ultimately about seeking redemption. I originally had an idea that provoked the lyrics, but have since realised that it isn't overly important that people know its origin.The song naturally evolved away from that original concept and I've found that it's cooler if people find their own meaning in this kind of track. It makes it far more personal and relatable.
This one started when the ever-talented Reuben Hawkes (drummer) sent some chord progressions my way that he was taking a liking to. That was enough to send me on my way with fleshing it out.
Shortly after, we came up with the thundering chorus together that you all now hear. It's both a melody and musically driven piece. I love that this track leaves an impression of hope on the last chord, but sits within the final lyric of 'I see the light and it's fading out'. Such a dramatic line to end an EP on. Fitting I say.
Jacob Fitzgerald 2022 Tour Dates
Thu 2 Dec - Cherry Bar (Melbourne)Fri 14 Jan - The Lord Gladstone Building (Sydney)
Sat 15 Jan - Tomcat (Brisbane)
Fri 21 Jan - Lion Arts Factory (Adelaide)
Sat 22 Jan - The Leadbeater Hotel (Melbourne)
