Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackson Wagner.
Jackson, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Long Beach, California and music has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are set to the tunes of prolific songwriters like Bob Dylan and Jerry Garcia. Having always been a fan of folk and classic rock, it wasn’t until I discovered Buddy Guy that I realized I needed to be a bluesman. My debut album, “Take the World,” which was released in 2019, is the musical embodiment of my desire to combine my rustic folk roots with a gritty honesty that can only be achieved through blues music. My upcoming EP seeks to further explore this dynamic while incorporating elements of bluegrass and rock as well. These style choices give my music a unique genre-bending quality while simultaneously paying homage to my many musical influences.
Has it been a smooth road?
One of the largest obstacles I’ve had to overcome while pursuing music is my own anxieties about performing live. I have played shows and open mics for years now but before that, palpable stage-fright kept me from fully committing to performances. As a result, my vocal lines and guitar licks were not as smooth as I knew they could be. Eventually, after playing for increasingly larger crowds, I learned how to harness this nervous energy and emotionally channel it into my music. I still struggle with nerves while performing sometimes but the rush of walking on stage is one of the driving forces pushing me to continue my musical path.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I pride myself in being not only a musician and a songwriter but a performer as well. I make the distinction because the three categories are by no means mutually exclusive. Songwriting often comes very naturally to me and I find that my best songs usually come to me spontaneously or with little direction in the beginning. Performing, on the other hand, is more involved. I try to personalize each performance by composing an extensive setlist and catering my song selections based on reactions or energy from the audience.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
A childhood memory that definitely stands out to me would be when the band I had formed in middle school performed at our 8th grace talent show. This was before I had the confidence required to sing publicly, so I was playing lead guitar on a medley of Black Keys songs. I’ll never forget the feeling of being on stage with the spotlight shining on me and it was at that moment that I realized music was what I wanted to do with my life. Whatever life throws at me, music will be a part of my experience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejacksonwagner/
- Other: https://ampl.ink/dVGln
Image Credit:
Personal photo taken by Jacob Smith
Album cover designed by Ashley Conklin
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