Interview: Jamestown Revival

Los Angeles – Fifteen miles off of a dirt road in the dusty nowheres of Walker County, Texas Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance found their calling. Jamestown Revival was born on a back porch and bred in Austin before relocating to Los Angeles. Their heartfelt Southern style and hints of Longhorn twang harkens to sounds of yesteryear and, lately, they’ve been garnering up some much deserved recognition.

Fresh off their radio debut on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, the normally unshakeable Jamestown Revival had some unexpected nerves ahead of their appearance. “When [host] Jason [Bentley] got on the horn and we jumped into the first song I was actually a little nervous.” Clay says. It didn’t show. To think, early on Clay and Chance had to impersonate booking agents to get gigs. Now, they’re appearing on Conan.

Friends since the age of 14 and both solo performers in their own right, it was only after the two teamed up when things started to take off. It was the move to LA, however, that ultimately helped their overall cause. “I think we stepped our game up as songwriters when we got here,” Clay says. A long way from the quiet niceties of their Texan beginnings, the intense nature of their adopted home provided just enough desperation to fuel their creative juices. “I think we wrote about every song on the [upcoming] album in my garage.” Chance says.

Deep in their bones the duo understands that faking it was never a part of their plan. While covering universal themes, it’s the honesty in their lyrics and soaring harmonies that audiences are identifying with. Recounting moments past, hardships endured, and challenges overcome the personal touch goes a long way. “If this is real and something we really believe people are going to be able to see it.” Chance says.

The fruits of their labor will be released February 11^th. Their full-length debut, Utah, was an out of pocket labor of love. Recorded in a cabin in the Wasatch Mountains it’s in the wilderness where Jamestown Revival feels most comfortable. Utah’s great outdoors provided the backdrop for a record that feels like it’s destined for something big. “If you’re going to try to appease everybody you’re not gonna connect with anybody.” Clay says. The connection is so strong between the band and its audience that crowds have been singing along to songs that haven’t even been released yet. This will all change soon.

Jamestown Revival’s single, “California (Cast Iron Soul),” is a splash of sunshine. Clay’s guitar and Chance’s keys infuse the feel good of summer’s day. They will no doubt be performing this tune come March when the band returns to Austin for their first-ever appearance at South by Southwest. “We’ve applied to South by Southwest, but never got accepted,” Clay says. “I can honestly say though, we weren’t ready and it showed.”

Before returning home to perform at a festival that has launched countless musical careers, Jamestown Revival has other business to tend to first. After their sold out show at Los Angeles’ Hotel Café next week the band hits the road for a quick mini-tour consisting of 28 dates. After that, they get to fulfill their Austin rite of passage by performing at one of the industry’s biggest events. Good things come to those who wait and for Jamestown Revival the time for waiting is just about over.

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Ian Joulain

Somewhere between Sublime’s 40oz. to Freedom and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic something clicked inside a young Ian Joulain’s mind. His love for music had taken root and the only way to satiate this newfound passion was mass consumption of any and all genres. While gravitating toward punk rock, hip-hop, and jazz he discovered his distaste for pop-country, but blames that mostly on the excess of tractor and NASCAR mentions in the genre’s lyrics. That said, Joulain has never met a drink that was too stiff or a beach that he didn't like. He hopes to one day hug a koala and would love to ask Greg Ginn why he’s such a dick.