Interview With…

Jaux King

1. You are well-known for your stints with Mack the Knife, The Everafters, and, most recently, AGENT. How does it feel to be going it alone this time?

-I couldn’t be happier about it! I planned on doing a solo project for quite a while, but it never seemed feasible until a while back. Over the last few years, a lot of really cool ideas got put on the back burner. It’s been nice to be able to go back and explore those more deeply now. I’ve really gotten into the writing process and it’s been great doing it myself this time around.

2. Stylistically, how would you describe your new solo music?

I think it’s got a lot of bite. I’m going for something a little different than I what I’ve done in the past, but not too much so. My goal is to combine some of my more obscure influences with some of those that are more mainstream. I want to be able to convey the same energy I’ve always conveyed in the past, but give people a little more insight into my musical personality. I’m taking it as a chance to show people what I’m really like musically.

3. We were very interested in the AGENT project and suddenly, it was over. What caused it to end and how did it lead to what you are doing today?

AGENT was interesting because it was my way of moving on and trying something new. There were a lot of people that thought I was crazy for not singing, but I didn’t see it that way. I was really looking forward to just being a guitar player in a band, but things didn’t gel like I wanted them to. It was mostly due to schedules and little things like that. I guess you could say the planets aligned against it.  I’m still good friends with everyone that was involved and still work with some of them. 

4. Have you begun to assemble a backing band for live shows?

Not officially, although a couple of options have presented themselves, so I’m talking and working with those guys. The band is beginning to put itself together in a way, but it’s not my priority right now. I am definitely looking forward to playing this stuff out live though, so while it’s not number one on the list, it is ultimately the goal.

5. Are you currently planning a full-length release to your solo material?

Actually, No- I’m going to go a little bit different route. I’m planning to do it “Euro Style” and release singles. This will afford me the chance to release more music more quickly. I plan on doing b-sides, remixes, acoustic versions, covers and a lot more stuff like that too. I’ve never understood the thought of going in and out of the studio for nine months making a “record” just so you can say you’re “making your record”. I want to give people some choices as far as what they want to check out. There are a lot of ideas that I’m mulling over and new ones show-up all the time. 

6. We hear a heavy Failure influence in the track “The Fire You Can’t Put Out”. Would you say that’s a fair assumption?

Yea, it’s very fair. I’ve never made a secret of what a huge Ken Andrews fan I am in general. There is definitely a lot of that going on in this stuff. I had a chance to sit down with Ken a while back and pick his brain a little. He gave me some good advice that I’m keeping in mind as things progress. I’m really into dissonance. That’s one of favorite things about him- he’s so good at making dissonance make sense. That’s something I really strive to do. I think that type of thing can really make a song soar. I tend to see music in a visual way. I can see it move up and down and what not. To me, notes that don’t always make sense together can really make a piece of music take off- kinda like someone base jumping off a cliff in the Amazon, I guess you could say.

7. When will more tracks be available to listeners on myspace?

I’m working on finishing up the second song with Dave (former bassist of the_everafters) now. Dave’s got a home studio and we hang out in there quite a bit. There should be another song up hopefully in the beginning of August. We won’t stop at two though, there will be more tracks posted as they’re finished.

8. You’ve been added to the NashvilleRock.net music directory and this is the second time we’ve interviewed you. Surely, a bevy of groupies and six-figure record deals must be showing up everywhere. How are you handling all of this?

Well, as for the groupies that one’s easy- none ever come around. I don’t know if it’s my personality or what. Either way, I’m not at all a groupie kind of guy. I have a girlfriend who I’ve been with for five years so I’m obviously not in it for the chicks. I could take or leave the record deals. I’m not really in it for that either. If some small indie label likes my stuff- that’s cool, but if I were ever going to sign a deal, It would  be dependant on a lot of factors that I wouldn’t want to give in on; creative control and touring details just to name a couple. The label would need to be ready for the risk, and most labels aren’t. I‘m not naïve, I understand how the business works, but I know what I want too. If the two can’t match up, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.

9. What are your favorite Nashville music venues?

It depends on the show- I guess I’d have to say 12th & Porter. It’s always a good time- good stage, good lights, and a good bar. I love playing 12th too. I have a short attention span and don’t like to stay in one place for too long, so 12th is a good venue for me because there are lots of places to go. Also, I always see lots of friends there when I go, which is almost always a good thing!

10. What do you think of the recent success of the local rock scene and what do you think would make it better?

Naturally, I’m as excited as everyone about how far into the forefront Nashville has come. I think if I could improve it in one way, it would be to have going to shows be a way of life for people in Nashville. There’s a lot of potential in this town and if people would get out there and see more shows, that would be amazing. Bands can do a lot to help that too. Getting out and meeting people helps. I can’t think of one band in Nashville that’s above that. Go to shows and flyer for your own show- What better place to meet potential listeners? If you’re a smaller band that wants to know how bigger bands got that way, I bet that’s what they’d tell you. The bottom line to me is we all need to network more and support each other. Supporting other bands and the Local Buzz will go a long way too.

11. Who are some of your favorite local acts?

Well, I’m one of many Beauty School fans. Sometimes they’ll let me guitar tech for them. It’s a good way for me to be near the glory! I’m also a big Framing Hanley fan, that whole crew is a really good hang. I caught Caprice live at their record release party this past weekend and they slayed. They’re really cool guys too. I’ve recently gotten into a solo artist I’ve heard on the Buzz named Katie Kerkhover. I’ve never met her, but she has a single out right now that’s rad. There are tons of cool bands in town- I could go on forever...

12. Word Association Time: We give you a name and you say the first thing that comes to you.

Aljon Go- the undisputed king!

Ligion- light show

The Everafters- Good days / Bad days

Jimmy Chandler- Great singer, Great Dad, Great Friend

Andy Aquino- MINK!!!

Big record labels- Delusional

Country Music- I miss Johnny…

Framing Hanley- proud of those guys!

Groupies- heh- what groupies?

For more information on Jaux, check him out at www.myspace.com/jauxking