Jonathan Jackson: Why I chose to cooperate with “Pemptousia”
1 March 2016Jonathan Jackson + Enation –questions for Avopolis (Greece) by Mihalis Tsantilas
Although best known as an actor (starring in the TV series Nashville), his heart belongs to music; as well in Greece, as in our own company -the Pemptousia- he chose to release a collection of songs from the discography to date with Enation. So we found him to talk about this, and also for his faith in Orthodox Christianity.
- A new, Greece-only collection of your songs, titled Basileia Ton Ouranon, came out in December by Pemptousia. How did that come to happen?
“The responsible person for Pemptousia approached me about it. It was a very unexpected invitation and we were very humbled and enthusiastic about it. I love Pemptousia and what they do, so it was quite easy to agree.”
- With what criteria were the 16 tracks chosen? Would you say they are the best songs of yours or the most representative of your music and philosophy?
“We have a relatively extensive catalog of music and we sent over a lot of songs. There was great harmony in deciding which songs to include. I don’t know if it’s our best songs… the criterion for selection had more to do with the overall feel and purpose of the music. It’s a contemplative album in many ways. There are moments where it’s alternative rock, but overall I think it’s about an inner longing for illumination.”
- You play music with Enation for more than 10 years now. Looking back, how do you see your earlier efforts and how has your music evolved through the years?
“In many ways it’s changed drastically and in other ways it hasn’t changed at all. There’s usually something paradoxical in the realm of art. The intention is the same now as it was then, but we’ve matured some, at least I hope we have. One of the things I like about this compilation is that through this collaboration, we found a list of songs that are innocent and youthful and yet point towards a maturity that hopefully we are growing into.”
- Your brother Richard Lee is the drummer of Enation. Do you have the typical competitive relationship with him? How are the roles distributed between the members of the band?
“We certainly had the typical sibling competitive rivalry when we were younger. Music actually helped to heal that. Once we began making music together, instead of competing in sports or other things, our friendship started to deepen. I have so much love and respect for my brother. He is truly an beautiful human being and I love playing music with him. I feel the same about Daniel our bass player, he’s like a brother to us. We’re a three-piece now and we have been for the last few years. It really suits us creatively. Every instrument has it’s place and every part is vital to what we do. There’s a great power and beauty in the number three! I write most of the songs and bring them to the guys as a blueprint. Then we take the two dimensional song and build it together into a three dimensional piece, so to speak. We arrange the songs together after the skeletal structure has been created with the words and basic chords.”
- I believe your interest in music came at an early age. What are the first things you remember listening to and which artists have influenced you the most, concerning your songwriting?
“The first music I listened to was my father’s music. Elvis gospel music… Don Williams, Keith Witley, Alison Krouse, Vince Gill. I was also introduced to classic rock from my uncle especially who loved the Beatles, the Who, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd. But my personal musical influences would be R.E.M., U2, Peter Gabriel, Pearl Jam, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Echo & The Bennymen, Simple Minds etc. I love music that has a spiritual yearning in it… I always have. Listening to Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” or ” Red Rain” would captivate me as a child, or R.E.M.’s “Sweetness Follows” or U2’s “One”. Incredible songs that are almost like prayers. I think they really are prayers. Music tends to reach into a very deep place in the human spirit.”
- Apart from music, you ventured with great success into acting, and you are currently starring in Nashville. What need of yours made you pursue this parallel career? Tell us about this particular show.
“Nashville has been an incredible blessing to be a part of. I love getting to act and play a musician on the show. It’s challenging and also rewarding as an artist. I think the need to do music comes from a deep yearning to communicate and tell stories. As an actor I’m stuck saying other people’s words. And in music I can write the lyrics and tell the story and connect with an audience in a more direct way.”
