Acoustic guitarist and singer-songwriter Jack Anderson will play his first solo performance at the Mittagong Playhouse next Friday night. JED KEMSLEY found out about the 16-year-old’s influences, his passion for writing songs, and how he makes it happen...
JOSH Pyke, Nick Drake, Jose Gonzales and Dallas Green.
These famous acoustic guitarists, and singer-songwriters, are who sixteen-year-old Bowral High School student Jack Anderson lists among his favourite musicians and biggest influences.
And, with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, you might just be hearing Jack’s name mentioned alongside theirs in the not-too-distant future.
“I guess the one the biggest influences in my music is Dallas Green, from Alexisonfire and City and Colour,” said Jack, who writes his own original music and songs.
“I always thought that Dallas’ music was, as an acoustic guitarist, really amazing and respectable.
“So I really got into his music, and that led me to other acoustic guitarists like Nick Drake, Josh Pyke, and Jose Gonzales - they’re all musicians that I take inspiration from.
“They’ve influenced me a lot to write songs and to try new things on the guitar, such as different tunings and weird chord progressions.”
Music runs in the Anderson family. Jack started off playing the drums when he was in about Year 2.
Jack’s father Steve has been known to rock out some Clapton and Hendrix on his Stratocaster.
Older brother Simon is best known as the former bassist for Highlands rock band Curse at 27, younger sister Meg is handy on the piano and mum Deb even chimes in on the recorder from time to time.
But even Jack admits that his guitar playing, singing and song writing took most people a little bit by surprise.
“I only really got into playing the guitar seriously about this time last year,” he said.
“There’s always been instruments in the house, and someone has always been playing something.
“I remember the first few times I picked up the guitar and I started strumming a few chords, and I didn’t really know what I was doing.
“I’ve really just taught myself.
“I’ve never had lessons. My playing pretty much comes from learning songs from different musicians.
“And from that point onwards I’ve started writing my own stuff too.”
Jack said playing the guitar had felt like a natural extension to his creative side, and this was what led him to becoming a songwriter.
“I really enjoy just sitting down with the guitar, experimenting with different chords, and then putting words to it,” he said.
“As a teenager, I usually write about things I feel strongly about, or it could be something that’s troubling me at the time.
“I guess you could call my music observations on life as a teenager.
“I’d say that my music is pretty metaphorical. People can interpret it how they like.”
Jack said although he writes songs for the acoustic guitar, his music isn’t easily categorised.
“I think a lot of people think of acoustic guitar playing as being strictly folk or country music - but acoustic guitar is so much more than that.
“I listen to a lot of heavier bands like Underoath and Saosin, and I definitely draw on that type of music as well as acoustic songwriters like Josh Pyke.
“That’s great thing about music - you can be influenced by anyone, and you can make music however you want. That’s what I try and do.
“I love writing new songs, fine tuning them and letting new ones manifest in my mind - it’s the biggest thing in my life at the moment.
“One of my songs, called Time Won’t Wait, is about a girl, and despite a lot of the hard stuff going on in the world, having a girl makes it all worthwhile.
“Another song, All Work and No Play, is more upbeat.
“It’s pretty much about where I am as a teenager, and the difficulty of making choices, growing up and having to make big decisions.”
Jack said he was a bit nervous about his first show at Mittagong Playhouse next Friday night, but he was excited at the same time to be putting his music out there in front of an audience.
“I’m really lucky that I have a good circle of friends who are really supportive,” Jack said.
“A lot of them have been quite surprised and a few have said to me that they didn’t know I could play the guitar and sing.
“I’ve played in a band before but this will be a bit different since I’ll be up there on my own.
“But I’m really excited to get my music out there. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do and it should be a great night.”
Jack Anderson will be on stage at Mittagong Playhouse next Friday, September 25 at 7pm, opening for The Pennys, The Polar Opposites and Green Hills Bliss. Entry is $5. For more information, call the Mittagong Playhouse on 4871 1086. To find out more about Jack and hear his music, visit his official Myspace music page at: www.myspace.com/jackandersonacous tic.
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