When No Two Days are the Same: An Interview with Jay Seeney

Since releasing their first single in 2015, The Jay Seeney Band have become a force to be reckoned with. But they know it’s not all fancy events and awards. Celebrating the recent release of their latest single, When I Found You, I Found Me in between helping other artists bring their music videos to life, I caught up with Jay Seeney to discuss plans for new music, what people can expect from a band most well-known for their live performances, and what the future of Australian country music looks like.

Congratulations on the recent release of your new single, When I Found You, I Found Me. What’s your fans’ reaction been like to it so far, as well as your EP, Light Me Up?

Thanks! Fan reaction has been great, we were hoping that this track would connect well with supporters and it has. Our fans have really been enjoying the mix of tracks on there, from the ballads to the rock tracks.

What was the inspiration behind the song? I believe you wrote it with Drew McAlister and recorded it in Nashville.

Yeah, that’s right. The inspiration is about a special person that straightens you out and prevents you from becoming a train wreck! We wanted to mix that theme with a musical vibe that people would really dig.

What normally inspires your song writing?

I try to draw inspiration from everywhere. Things, events, feelings, ideas, they’re all very helpful in the creation of a song. Usually, I’ll try to use real life, relatable events that people can connect to, makes for a much better song!

It looks like you had a lot of fun filming the music video. How did the concept come about?

We sure did! For the music video, we decided to flip the concept on its head and ran with a theme of finding yourself through travel which I thought would be an interesting take and often true. We travelled all around Australia to shoot different pieces, Far North Queensland, South Australia, NSW, many different places and town to capture that vibe.

You’ve also worked with other artists (like Lee Kernaghan and The Wolfe Brothers) on their film clips. What’s it like to have a creative outlet aside from song writing through which to express yourself?

I love working on other artists’ projects, they bring so much passion to them. Being able to create a piece of the legendary careers of the likes of Lee Kernaghan is incredibly exciting and I’m so glad that I can bring something great to the table for those guys. It’s great to create sonically, but just as much fun to create visually too!

Do you have plans to release an album in the near future? If so, how indicative is the music on this latest EP of what people can expect to hear?

I’d say it will likely be a new EP, we’ve got the first single recorded and if this single is anything to go by, prepare for a bit of shift.

 

Since forming The Jay Seeney Band just a few years ago, you’ve been very successful, both in Australia and overseas. How does that make you feel?

It’s great being able to connect with people through music. Being in this field has allowed me to meet so many great people, artists and fans alike that are some passionate about what they do. I think that is such as special piece of being able to do what I do. I’m glad people love the songs!

How did you first get into music, and if you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?

When I was three, apparently I asked my mum for a saxophone, so there must have been something there from the beginning. I started on the clarinet at five, saxophone when I was seven but when I found the guitar around 12/13, I never looked back.

All my teenage years were guitar practice and getting my skills up, we started playing in pubs around 16 and before I knew it, we were launched into massive festivals around Australia. If I wasn’t a musician, hopefully I’d be doing video! If not, business.

 

What are some of the highlights and lowlights of your career thus far?

 

There’s many of these, some of the biggest highlights are getting booked on the big major festivals for the first time, makes you feel like you’re achieving progress, Gympie, Deni, Broadbeach Country Music Festival, all very important goals and successes.

The big highlight would have to be directing and filming Lee’s Backroad Nation music video. Another big one that sticks out was our first EP launch with we did with Jade Holland; Jade & I co-headlined our first ticketed gig to an absolutely packed room of people there specifically to see us. That was special.

 

A lowlight would be getting dumped as a session player for an artist for having ‘too much’ stage presence!

You’ve become most well-known for your live performances. For those who have yet to see you live, what can they expect?

Loud, fun, exciting and lots of interaction! We love to give people an experience that they can only get when they see us.

 

Generally speaking, what do you prefer: intimate gigs or festival sets?

Festivals for sure, the band is all about massive sounds and energy so big stage and big sound system help us to achieve that!

You’ve collaborated with numerous artists, including Eric Church, Drew McAlister, Hayley Jensen, and you’ve even performed alongside Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Do you have a favourite?

Yeah, I’ve loved collaborating with Hayley and Drew, they’re so talented and being able to work with them was very cool. The duet I released with Hayley Tread Gently did really well. I’ve been lucky enough to meet Eric Church and party with Big & Rich and let me tell you, everything they sing about is 100% true! Man, those guys can drink.

 

What have you taken away from those experiences?

Some bloody great stories for one, but also it’s great to get a bit of insight as to how they operate as musicians and how they run their ship. At the end of the day, they’re all just great people that lead interesting lives so I hope I can lead a life that is that interesting and impacts so many people.

If you could work with anyone in the industry, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I’d love to collaborate with Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. I reckon that would be a jam session and a half! They’ve got the whole package, the skills, the vocals, the song writing. I think we’d be able to come up with something exciting.

 

 

What is it about country music in particular that appeals to you, and if you weren’t a country musician, which genre would you choose?

I think the realness, everyone in country music is down to earth, you don’t find that in other genres a lot. Real stories, real music is what I’m about. If I wasn’t in country, it would definitely be rock or heavy metal!

Who are your idols, both professionally and personally?

Arnold Schwazenegger and The Rock, persistence, patience and hard work.

 

How does the Australian country music scene compare to Nashville?

Both are such great scenes, if anything I think the Aussies are harder to win over! It is all part of our culture.

 

What’s it like performing in front of an international audience versus an Australian one?

It great, I love them both. That’s the best thing about country music, it’s all stories people relate to across countries.

What’s the average day look like for you?

 

Hard work, usually from 8am all the way through to midnight! But every day is different, sometimes we’re travelling interstate and some days working from home, it’s great.

 

Where do you see Australian country music heading in the future?

Shooting music videos for a number of big artists in Australia, I’m privy to a lot of fantastic songs before they come out. It’s safe to say that Australian country music is in good hands.

In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception about starting a career in the music industry?

A lot of young artists think that it’s just going to happen. It does not! It’s harder work that most careers, you’ve got to be driven and you’ve gotta wear a lot of hats.

What’s the epitome of success for you?

If I can continue what I’m doing for the rest of my life, that’s success enough for me!

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

Work hard, always learn, be humble, be grateful for all opportunities.

How important is it to maintain a strong social media presence these days?

It’s absolutely crucial, I am always preaching the importance of content. However, it can’t just be anything, it’s gotta be quality.

 

 

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Lots of modern country and lots of metal, Parkway Drive and Eric Church on repeat!

What does the average day look like for you when you’re not working on music?

Usually looks like a computer screen, editing music videos for Lee Kernaghan, The Wolfe Brothers, Andrew Swift or a multitude of awesome Australian artists!

What have you got coming up for the rest of the year?

New single in the pipeline, keep an eye out for that one. Also, a few brand new tour dates for the back of the year, gonna be great.