International Pop Overthrow Artist Interview – Jared Lekites –

PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?

Jared Lekites (JL): Currently, I am working on a new album of all original music. I have been writing the material for it since my last album, ‘Star Map’, was released in 2012. That album, as well as the ‘Looking For Diamonds’ EP before it, was entirely self-produced with me doing about 98% of all the engineering work, singing, playing and artwork. This time around, however, I wanted to progress a little more and expand the horizon, as it were. So I’ve been working with outsiders a bit more liberally on this new album. I don’t want to give too much away so soon since I don’t plan on it being finished until much later in the year, but I think fans of my first two releases will be pleased with the end results.

‘Star Map’ has gotten such a warm response with the entire PowerPop scene which makes me so satisfied as an artist. I certainly put a lot of blood, sweat and, yes, even tears into the creation of that album so it’s a joy and even a relief to know that it is appreciated.  It came as a surprise because, really, I was just making music that I knew I would want to listen to. Sometimes it is very easy to forget that if you like something, other people will like it to.

The Recording Process:  There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago.  Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way.  Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?

(JL): When I recorded ‘Star Map‘, I hadn’t attempted to make a full album before. I only had made ‘Looking For Diamonds’ before it, which was a 5-song EP. That EP had a really homemade quality about it. I had just pulled together whatever equipment and instruments were lying around and just went to town on those 5 songs. I figured the formula worked well enough for that EP… all I have to do is double the amount of songs and then I’ll have my album.

Well, in a nutshell, it wasn’t always that easy. There are a few songs on ‘Star Map’ that were quite a trip to put together. The title track and ‘Star Map Part 2’ are probably the prime examples. I think the first recorded parts for those songs were done at some point in 2010 and the last overdubs and final mixes weren’t completed until sometime in 2012. So in between those two years was constant re-arranging, re-recording, re-mixing, bouncing, fading, editing, splicing, un-spicing, re-splicing, regurgitating, et. al. Now take into account that I was working on 9 other songs at the same time off and on while also trying to book shows, interviews, find someone to take some publicity photos, and working an ‘average-Joe job’. The intervening hand of fate also tossed in a move to a new home, a car accident or two, and a brief health scare which meant a quick stay in the hospital. Such is the life of an indie these days.

As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?

(JL): I don’t know if “devastated” would be the word I’d use. Really, I think the music industry is in a constant state of change, just like everything else. Surely, physical CD sales went down but that’s because downloads went up. Now downloads are going down and vinyl sales are going through the roof.  The music industry is just that, an industry. Any industry can take a downturn but they usually bounce back. Now that all the major labels and indies are getting really heavy into vinyl again, I think we are in for a lot of great things in this industry.

I don’t think it’s so hard to get your music heard anymore. Just last year, one of my songs got placement in a film. I think music placement, in commercials and TV shows, is one avenue that the independent artist really needs to be aware of. Major production companies are seeking the indies out because it’s less out of their pockets. The best thing about that is, with the benefits of smart phone apps like Shazam and what not, a listener can now find out exactly who they are hearing in such and such TV commercial or what have you.  So I definitely feel as though the change is for the better.

Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ will look like in the coming years?  How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music?  Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits compared to, say, 10 years ago?

(JL): I have certainly bought more vinyl within the last 2 years than I have ever bought before in my entire life. My LP and 45 collections doubled and then tripled in size within the span of a few months. That is my absolute preferred method of listening to anything. I love holding the big LP sleeve in my hand while the music just pours out of those grooves. It’s like magic…

In the car or travelling, it’s usually the iPod. I always just put it on shuffle and see what comes on next. I listen to all kinds of things so I can never have any idea what is coming next. I like to keep myself on my toes.

We would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them?  Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?

(JL): With my love of vinyl growing fonder by the day, I do plan on releasing my next album as a vinyl-only physical release. There will also be a digital download option in any format of the listener’s choosing (from FLAC to mp3) so that they can create a CD version if they so desire one.

I also plan to release the ‘Looking For Diamonds’ EP and ‘Star Map’ albums on vinyl in the near future, but nothing is set in stone yet.  

Okay – time for some light humor!  Spinal Tap Moment: dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us!  

(JL): I have been fortunate enough to have never exploded on stage (at least not yet). There was one time that I was playing an outdoor fair-type show. In the middle of one of the songs in the set, they started doing loudspeaker announcements on the PA. I tried to keep a straight face but they kept cutting back in when I thought they were done. Finally, I had to stop the song and wait until they were through. The sound guy told me he had no idea how it happened.  

Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?

(JL): Certainly too many to mention, but there’s a couple that come straight to mind.

Inara George, because I love her voice and she just seems like she’d be a cool person to be around.  I’d love to go record shopping in East LA with her or something.

Jeff Lynne is very high up on the list. I am in love with the sound he creates in the studio and I think his songwriting skills tend to be criminally overlooked. Yes, the production on those ELO records are fab, but the songs are equally out of this world.

Vince Gill is another. I like his songwriting style and how varied his influences seem to be. His guitar playing and his singing, too… some guys just have it all. Plus he’s from Oklahoma so it would be two local boys making local noise.

Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions.   What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”?  (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)

(JL): I think it takes about 5 seconds of listening to my music to figure out the answer; The Beatles and The Beach Boys and everything in between.  There’s also certainly shades of the 70s singer/songwriter types like James Taylor, Don McLean, Cat Stevens, Elton John, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Carly Simon. I know that country music like Don Williams, Johnny Cash, and George Jones also stuck with me from an early age.

As far as my top 5 goes, it’s hard to say. There’s so many that have stuck with me a while but here’s what I would have to answer with:

1. The Beatles – Revolver

2. The Beach Boys – Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)

3. Ben Folds – Rockin’ The Suburbs

4. Harry Chapin – Greatest Stories Live

5. Bob Dylan – Bringing It All Back Home

We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of the last few years?

(JL): Anything involving Jenny Lewis is almost definitely going to kick ass. So Jenny & Johnny’s “I’m Having Fun Now” from 2010 and then whatever her new album is going to be called (not released yet, but I know it’s going be good).

There’s a group that’s been around a while that I’m just now really getting into called Little Green Cars. I find I’m getting more and more drawn to their dynamic style. They can be heavy, but it’s not loud-heavy which is cool.

She & Him’s Volume 3 is still getting plenty of spins here along with Volumes 1 and 2.

The Living Sisters 2010 album “Love To Live” is one that I keep going back to and falling in love with over and over again. Their angelic voices blend so well and creates this warm feeling that permeates the melodies. It’s intoxicating.

Graham Colton’s “Lonely Ones” album is outstanding. This guy always seems to be trying something new and keeps growing and progressing with each new project. If I could only get one Graham Colton album in my life, I think this would be the one I’d pick out of the lot. 

Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?

(JL): All of the music I have released is available for digital download on my bandcamp page.