Q&A's

 

Jet Jurgensmeyer, who the casual entertainment fan will recognize from his vast acting resume which included a role on the popular sitcom Last Man Standing, has also been building a very solid following on his music venture; carving out a strong niche among the country music world with well-received songs “Everything Will Be Alright” and “Fast Forward.” Jet has once again caught a buzz with the release of his latest single “Falling Too,” and we had the awesome opportunity to check in with him to talk all about the new song, go inside the writing room with him, find out what’s still to come in the near future, highlight his incredible work with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, and much more!

(Interview by: Jeffrey Kurtis)

 

1) You recently released your newest single “Falling To.” Tell us a little bit about the song and what to expect from it.

This song really tells a story that just about everybody can relate to. Being young and falling for someone is something everyone understands, and I think the lyrics and music really tell that story.

2) You co-wrote the tune with Brian Sauerwald, Kyle Winski, and Pierson Swanson. We love hearing the stories behind the process! Take us into the writing room that day. How did it all come together?

At the start of this session, we didn’t really have many ideas flowing together. Kyle just started playing a simple progression and Brian sang the first two lines of the song out of nowhere. I sat up in my seat and said, “YES! Let’s write that!” Pierson told me just the other day that Brian and I meshed really well on this song and in getting that pop-country vibe we try to go for!

3) The production on the song involved yourself, Dan Frizsell, and Butch Baker. What did Dan and Butch bring to the studio to help shape the overall feel of the song that might not have otherwise been there?

Dan is one of those people that I feel like has to be in the studio with me. He understands everything technical and knows exactly what he needs to get the perfect mix later on down the line. I’ve really enjoyed mixing and mastering these songs with Dan and making sure that I understand every aspect of my craft.

Butch has been there since day one, just like Dan. Butch is someone that really helps me understand how to voice what I’m looking for to the musicians because he’s been the artist and knows how to say what I’m thinking. He’s always there to boost my confidence and truly helps me whenever I’m in the studio. I’m still learning because I’m typically the youngest guy in the room, but as the writer on this song, I tend to have an idea of what I’m looking for. As I’ve grown, I’ve learned what the “lingo” is and how to voice what I’m trying to get out of the song.

4) Keeping with the production side of the song; although you kind of touched on this…what input did you yourself have on it? Were there any aspects you fought to keep in it that you absolutely had to have on the song or was it a pretty even keel discussion to get the song where you needed it to be?

I definitely have an idea of how I would like for the songs to go, but I always listen to opinions and ask the musicians what they think about my ideas. They’ve been playing on songs longer than I’ve been alive, so it’s only right that I listen to everything they say and try to learn from it.

5) The song follows your previous releases "Everything Will Be Alright" and "Fast Forward.” In what ways do you feel “Falling To” is a showcase of your growth as a songwriter the most?

I think the best part about this song and the songs to come, is you’re going to hear my growth as a person. The worst thing anyone can say is, “This is how I’ve always done it.” I want my music and writing to grow as I grow, so my audience can grow with me. Otherwise, people will get bored of the same thing over and over again.

6) As each new song releases and you continue to define your signature sound and style, what similar traits are your fans going to hear within this song that they’ve heard on your previous releases?

The full band production is a big must for me at the moment. So everything you hear is going to be a full band with musicians that I am so fortunate enough to have playing on my music. I really hope that the audience can relate to my songs and relate to the stories that are being told through them. As I experience life, my music is going to tell those experiences too.

7) You’ve teased that you hope the song gets people excited for the next album/EP. Can you let us in a little more on that? When can we expect it to release? Is there going to be more singles before then?

While I don’t have an exact date for the next album, you’re definitely going to hear a couple more songs drop before it. “Falling Too” is just the tip of the iceberg for this next project and the stories inside it. I really hope everyone is excited as I am to see where the next album takes us.

8) People will obviously recognize you from your tremendous acting resume (Last Man Standing, TOTS, etc.) In what ways do you feel that side of the entertainment world has best prepped you for what you’re facing in the music industry?

I think that part of my career is just as important as this one. It’s taught me so much about being in front of people and how to truly entertain. It’s showed me both sides of this industry and how to handle each one.

9) We can’t let this Q&A finish without talking about your amazing work with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. How did you get involved with them and how have you personally seen it changing lives?

RSF is such an amazing organization that helps kids all over this country try and forget about their hardships for just a couple minutes. I’ve been fortunate enough to see the smiles on these kids faces and watch them just have fun in these studios. RSF has done a fantastic job at creating the best, most exciting environment for these kids and being able to be a part of that is something I plan to continue to do for many years.

10) We always like to end with this one, but what one piece of advice can you offer to someone who is just starting out and trying to break into the music/entertainment industry?

I think one of the biggest things is to be prepared for a lot of downs, but those downs are going to make the highs feel so much better. Remember to practice at your craft and to show up even when you don’t want to be there. If there’s 5 people in the audience, perform as if there were 5 thousand. You never know whose life you can impact and change with that simple bit of enthusiasm. Be willing to let it take time, each path is different, and let God do the rest.

 

Copyright

Copyright © 2024 Today's Country Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
Joomla! is Free Software released under the GNU General Public License.