Jack and the Other

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack and the Other.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My brother and I both dropped out of school to move to Atlanta and pursue separate careers in music. Cal was doing acoustic singer-songwriter blues/pop and I (Jack) was an experimental hip hop artist and producer. Even though we lived together, we were in completely separate genres and social circles. We would collaborate from time to time, but it was always on the back burner for our solo stuff. After a couple of years of this, we eventually had enough songs for a full EP and so we released our debut ‘Circles’ in 2019. It would be hard to describe what genre the music on that album fell into, but it was completely unlike anything either of us made in our individual careers.

We started getting a following after a music video we released for one of the songs called ‘Passin Through’ got a good response online, which was one of the first significant payoffs we saw for our efforts. This told us not only to keep going with our music but also that working together instead of as individual artists yielded more response in our audience and resonated creatively for each of us. It’s also more rewarding accomplishing things together instead of individually. Just recently, our first EP passed 1 million streams on Spotify and it was so much better achieving that milestone with my brother than if it was me alone.

Since our first project, we’ve released a single (‘Lost In Space’), a second EP which dropped towards the end of 2020 (‘Aspera’) and are getting ready to release our third EP starting in May of this year. Outside of that, we’re also currently working on another music video for a song called ‘777’ from our second EP and are putting together a live show to start playing out around the city.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would imagine there’s only been like five musicians in the past 20 years who’ve had nothing but a smooth road in their career, and they were either very lucky, very talented, or much better looking than us. The reality of being an indie musician or band is difficult and tiring, but not without reward. We do everything ourselves from the writing and production to music videos and visual design, so the amount of work it takes to put out music and regular content with just the two of us is monumental. Anyone who’s poured so much time and effort into their art will tell you that it’s a constant struggle, especially when it seems that no one’s noticing.

The biggest hurdle we’ve overcome of late was probably during the pandemic. At the start of 2020, we were putting finishing touches on a live show with a three-piece band, and when COVID hit, it was stopped completely in its tracks, but we’re currently working on recovering and expanding that show. At the time, it was completely deflating, especially because it was during the time when we as a society were still figuring out how to adapt our lives from a distance. To have all those hours of practice and preparation rendered meaningless in the span of a few weeks was a huge disappointment, to say the least. The silver lining in that experience was that while quarantining, we started seeking out other opportunities for our music and ended up receiving a grant from the Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs for the mixing and mastering of a new EP, which we just wrapped up, and it’s our favorite music to date!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As musicians, we make genre fluid music that doesn’t fit neatly into one category. We like to experiment at every stage in the creative process, from sound design to lyric writing, to general vibe and influences. I like to think that people would struggle to compare us to another artist, and that to me brings more meaning and impact to the music we’re creating because if we didn’t make this music, there would be no substitute. We combine live instrumentation and electronic production, often incorporating samples and blurring the lines between well-established genres. At the same time, we try to bring a certain familiarity to the experimental genre as a whole and make it more approachable for listeners who may not be accustomed to indie electronic music.

We’ve also put significant time and thought into creating a unique visual aesthetic to accompany our music. We try to craft music videos that are similarly unique and rely largely on practical effects and lighting to capture the vibe of our music in video form.

I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily ‘known’ on a larger scale at this point in our careers, but the fanbase that we do have is very supportive and encouraging. One of the great things about making music in the digital age is that independent artists have a channel to release their music to the entire world without a label backing. Just last month, we had listeners in over 90 countries. We’re very proud that our music has had such a large reach.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
We’re maybe in the minority here, but it seems as though almost everyone we know has supported us wholeheartedly, from our parents and extended family to our friends and partners. We count ourselves very lucky in that regard because every creative needs love and support in some form or another in order to feel enriched enough to express themselves. - Voyage ATL

The Atlanta based duo of Jack and the Other return with a dreamy and genre-crossing offering titled ‘Lost in Space’ that will bring you to tranquility and ease your mind.

With elements of R&B, lo-fi electronic and chill on offer, ‘Lost in Space’ slows things down for the duo as compared to previous releases and simply bathes in the charisma created in the enigmatic vocals that swoon through the mix filled up with some ultra smooth instrumentation. - Acid Stag

Jack and the Other is 2019’s newest and truest example of the do-it-yourself musicmaker. The Atlanta-based duo released their debut project Circles earlier this year; a 7-song, 30 minute EP written, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered at their home in Decatur, GA, where the two converted a family room into a fully renovated, acoustically treated studio and recording space. Prior to their EP release in January, the pair had already published a music video for their first single “E.S.T.” in late 2018, handling every detail from the initial concept to the final edits themselves. While just a decade ago, this type of faculty and self-reliance would have been a relative novelty, there are now many artists taking this sort of initiative in the modern music climate, operating within similar budgetary and resource constraints. So what makes these two any different from the gambit of other up-and-coming acts making do with less than professional resources? An honest answer to that question involves hearing the music itself, where the intricate attention-to-detail and unbridled creativity within the art shines through in a manner that not only embraces, but celebrates the sole responsibility of independent music as an institution. First though, learn who’s behind Jack and the Other (JATO).
JATO is comprised of brothers Cal Brown and Jack Muta. Cal provides vocals, guitar, and lyric writing while Jack heads production, instrumentation, and engineering. The Circles EP is a collaboration project four years in the making, progressing gradually in the time between each of their solo projects The album presents an eclectic blend of genres including blues, electronica, soul, hip hop, funk, and jazz, inspired each of their contrasting musical backgrounds. Cal’s solo work is characterized by bluesy, rhythmic guitar riffs and soft yet soulful singer-songwriter style vocals while Jack’s music is a one-of-a-kind blend of hip hop, jazz, and electronica most identifiable by his uniquely original sound-selection. The blending of these two styles results in a solid backbone of exciting and original production that supports smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics, and results in JATO’s undeniably distinctive sound. “Each track stands on its own as some kind of genre-bending intersection between our different styles” Says Cal, referencing the finished EP’s sound, “it really came together naturally, and I think both of us are delighted and honestly somewhat surprised at how cohesive the finished product turned out to be. I’d like to say that was always a certainty, but I think in a lot of ways we were unsure at the beginning as to where we could meet and still make something worth listening to.” - Lifoti Online Mag

Jack and the Other (JATO) is an Atlanta, GA-based indie electronic duo comprised of brothers, Jack Muta and Cal Brown. Not too long ago, they released a charming indie-pop tune, entitled, “Push Push,” via Soundplate Records.

“‘Push Push’ speaks about levity and peace of mind and the impact this has on relationships. The first line, “You don’t need to push,” is a reference to the fact that sometimes the best thing to do in relationships is just let things be good without worrying too much about the future or potential issues that may arise.”
– Jack and the Other explained

‘Push Push’ starts with a fun, stripped-back acoustic riff and laid-back vocals that will resonate well with music lovers. The likable tune builds with layers of percussion before launching into the catchy main section. Also, “Push Push” is the third single taken from Jack and the Other’s upcoming project, entitled, “Sunglass.”

Jack and the Other’s music is a balanced fusion of classic pop, experimental R&B, future funk, lo-fi jazz, and downtempo electronica featuring charismatic production, soul-laden vocals, and a broad range of artistic influences both classic and modern. Utilizing live instrumentation and electronic sound design, JATO’s music is a seamless marriage of styles, existing carefully at the intersection of unique experimentation and approachable familiarity. With comparisons to acts such as alt-J, Glass Animals, Chet Faker, and Stoplight Observations, the end product of JATO’s collaboration is a nuanced exploration of the space between genres.

We recommend adding Jack and the Other’s “Push Push” single to your favorite indie-pop playlist. Also, let us know how you feel in the comment section below. Mel Blanc’s famous catchphrase, That’s All Folks! Thanks for reading another great article on Bong Mines Entertainment – the hot spot for new music. Always remember that (P) Positive, (E) Energy, (A) Always, (C) Creates, (E) Elevation (P.E.A.C.E). Contact us on social media via Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook, and let us know what’s going on. - Bong's Mine Entertainment

Jack and the Other – “Passin Through”

And now for something completely different. The interesting sound of Atlanta’s Jack and the Other had us hooked immediately with their killer groove and headbobbing goodness. Mixing genres breathlessly, the duo craft killer hooks and alluring vocals that give listeners endless reasons to enjoy. If you like acts like Glass Animals, you are sure to dig these guys. Make sure you check out the incredible guitar solo towards the climax as well. You will not be disappointed. - Keep Walking Musi