by Marija Brettle
– Sr. Columnist —
After her departure from the London-based rock and soul band Saint Jude, front-woman Lynne Jackaman has taken her time to craft some songs which not only highlight her soulful voice, but also stand out from the pack. With a new strength of her vocal style and songs like “Wasted,” she brings a touch of classy funk to her palette, which may surprise some of her followers from the Saint Jude days.
Last year, working with The Quireboys’ guitarist, Guy Griffin, Jackaman releases her first solo EP, No Halo, via iTunes on June 16th.
Following the release of her debut single, “You Can’t Take Back” and her new band on board, she‘s been playing sold out London shows at the Borderline, Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen and more recently Stone Free Festival.
HARDROCK HAVEN: Hi Lynne! We are delighted to finally catch-up with you!
Lynne Jackaman: It’s my pleasure!
HRH: It’s been a busy year for you and your new band Jackaman, with gigging around the UK to playing Festivals, like Stone Free Festival in London. Would you like to share some of those experiences with us?
Lynne: London is my home and I always love playing here. Stone Free Festival was very special for me because it was my first festival as Jackaman. It was amazing! Such a great vibe! I feel blessed that I get to perform with not only superb musicians but also my friends. You will learn once you see me live that it really is ‘all about the music’ for me.
HRH: With your new band Jackaman, you’ve been working tirelessly on your solo forthcoming album. What can we expect from this record?
Lynne: You can expect to hear me. Like everything I do, it comes from the heart. My lyrics are written from experiences I have had or am having and I sing from my soul. It’s like a primal scream for me! My therapy, if you like. (laughs) Right now I can’t stop writing. I have so much coming out of me it’s crazy. I’ve fallen in love with the piano and do a lot of writing at home and then take the ideas into the studio. I’m so excited about my album and love how supportive my fans are in understanding that it will be ready when I feel it.
HRH: What is the creative dynamic in the songwriting process like, with your new band and how different was it from your studio work with St. Jude?
Lynne: With Saint Jude I wrote our album Diary Of a Soul Fiend with Adam Green, mainly. We would sit in a room with an acoustic guitar and write. We always believed that if a song couldn’t stand up proud acoustically then it wasn’t a strong enough song. With Jackaman, I like to start an idea at home on the piano and Garageband and then take the idea into the studio. Or like I did with the songs on my EP – No Halo, write with Guy Griffin from The Quireboys. We would do all the pre-production on GarageBand. Find beats we love and bass lines. Then add a hooky guitar riff. I would then sing over this and the songs would write themselves. “Honestly Can Be So Cruel” was written in an hour. I started ad-libbing and it just came out. Same with the other tracks. I find this method and freedom really brings the ‘soul’ and ‘feel’ to the music because you’re not thinking too hard about it. You’re not stuck in your head. You are singing from instinct, feel and your gut! For me, it’s all about the music and being authentic.
Lynne: It’s a wonderful blend of many of my influences and the sounds I grew up listening to. Yet, it is still totally unique. I feel I have really found my sound on this album. I feel stronger in my singing and songwriting ability than I ever have before. It’s Soulful, it’s got attitude, it’s funky and bluesy but most of all, it’s me!
HRH: How did you end up working together with the Quireboys’ guitarist Guy Griffin.?
Lynne: A mutual friend introduced as! I was looking for a guitarist to collaborate with on my EP and thought ‘Why not check him out.’ We met one afternoon in a bar in Camden, London. Many drinks and stories later we thought we’d have a go and writing together … the rest is history. (laughs)
HRH: Tell me more about the making of your stunning new debut single, “You Can’t Take Back?”
Lynne: “You can’t Take Back” was the first single we released from my EP. It completely came from me ad-libbing over the Northern Soul beat. I’m so proud of it! It’s massive live, especially with the new addition of saxophone! Since then I have released No Halo and my current single “Wasted,” which have been publicly received with high praise and have made playlists on quite a few radio stations. Including Planet Rock. I will be performing at Planet RockStock in December, which will be great fun.
HRH: Are there any tracks that stand out to you as particularly special, from your new material?
Lynne: Absolutely! On my EP, “Wasted” and “Honesty Can Be So Cruel” are my favorite tracks of the four. They are both very personal. I have been performing some new material from my forth coming album at my live shows. I was blown away by the love they received. Especially as initially no one had heard them before. I have a very special track called ‘Nothing But My Records On’ which is my favorite right now but that could all change. (laughs)
HRH: Last year you headlined sold out shows at the Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen and The London Barfly, in support of your new EP No Halo … What was the experience like for you, considering that one of your fans was none other than the rock legend Ronnie Wood, who seemed to be hooked on your music ever since your early St. Jude days?
Lynne: It was nothing short of incredible. I have such loyal fans. They have such belief and love in what I do. Without them, I couldn’t do what I am doing. Headlining and selling out London shows is very special to me as I am a Londoner. I love being in the moment with the fans. That’s why I feel performing live is so special. I feel blessed that Ronnie has shown my music so much love! It’s not every-day you get a Rolling Stone to play on your album!
Lynne: The crowd, the vibe and the fact that the sun was actually shining during British Summertime…
HRH: You’re most known and praised for having a soulful, powerful and intense blues-rock voice with references to Janis Joplin. How do you maintain that power and voice control?
Lynne: My voice and singing are extremely precious to me. I go to great length to look after myself and my voice. I feel as a singer you have a huge responsibility as your instrument is essentially inside your body. If you are tired, your voice is tired, etc. Ultimately my voice and my music come first, always!
HRH: I read that you’ve been obsessed with singing and music from an early age. Tell me more about it … how did you get started with music and who were your earliest musical influences?
Lynne: Although I have never had singing lessons, I have been singing professionally since I was 14yrs old around working men’s clubs and functions. I learned so much about my voice during this time. All the musicians I was hanging out with were a lot older than me. They shared so much incredible music with me such as Sam & Dave, Aretha, Etta James, Donny Hathaway, Otis Redding, Jeff Buckley, Stax, Motown. Way too many to mention. (laughs) This really inspired me to find my own voice and write my own songs. All the singers that I love sing from the heart and perform like it’s their last time. If I don’t leave my audience feeling inspired or wanting to see me perform again then I have failed!
HRH: You’ve been often called a soul diva with a breathtaking vocal range, phenomenally talented frontwoman, and stunning soul-rock songstress. How would you describe yourself?
Lynne: Passionate and silly!
HRH: Do you have a release date for your new record so far?
Lynne: That would be telling. (laughs)
HRH: Any plans to do a full UK tour at any point this year?
Lynne: Would love to!
HRH: Thanks a lot for making the time to do this interview! It’s been a great privilege talking to you!
Lynne: Thank you to you and as always to my amazing fans…….see you on the road!
Visit Jackaman online: https://www.facebook.com/lynnejackaman/
Video links:
https://youtu.be/pTOEqU-3468
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgnUwFRybqw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqAMX_Pg408
Bravo Marija! Superb text!