A. J. Jackson Explained

Birth Name:Alexander Jackson
Birth Place:Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Origin:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Instrument:Guitar, vocals, piano, bass
Genre:Alternative rock, indie pop, indie rock
Occupation:Musician, Record Producer, Songwriter, Singer, Filmmaker
Years Active:2007–present
Label:Parlophone Records, Elektra Records, Atlantic Records, OnThe Records

A. J. Jackson (born Alexander Jackson) is an American filmmaker, musician, songwriter, record producer, and perhaps best known as the lead singer for the band Saint Motel.[1] [2] [3] He is known for his enthusiastic stage performances.[4] [5]

Early life

Jackson was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[6] He first started playing piano and writing his own music at about age seven. He studied at The Blake School (Minneapolis) and later attended film school[7] at Chapman University.[8] [9]

Music career

Jackson started playing in bands around the 6th grade moving from bassist to guitarist and singer in high school.[10] He met Aaron Sharp while attending university in Southern California and they created Saint Motel around 2007. Saint Motel released its debut E.P. ForPlay in 2009 with Jackson as the lead singer and main songwriter.[11] Jackson's songwriting for the EP received praise from The Washington Post.[12]

Saint Motel released the full-length album Voyeur, whose tracks reached the top of the Hype Machine Charts in 2012, and an EP, My Type, which includes two international alternative top 40 singles written by Jackson, "Cold Cold Man" and the platinum-selling single, "My Type".[13]

In 2015, Jackson led Saint Motel and dancers at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival,[14] as one of the stops on the band's US tour.[15]

In 2016 the band released its second full-length album, saintmotelevision, featuring the single "Move" which Jackson stated he wrote while they were on tour in Germany.[16] Inspired by new technological possibilities, Jackson helped make this album the world's first complete virtual reality and, later, augmented reality full-length album in 2016 and 2017.[17]

In 2019 the band released part one of its three part album The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack featuring "Van Horn", which Jackson said he found inspiration for writing from the town of the same name in Texas while they were on tour.[18]

Film career

After graduation Jackson became a freelance filmmaker directing and editing commercials for companies like Scion, Hyundai, and Elle Magazine, as well as music videos for bands like Royal Teeth and Futurecop!, including his own band Saint Motel.[19] [20] When the band's debut album ForPlay was released they had created a music video to accompany each song of the album. Jackson's film clients include Barry Manilow, Band of Skulls, and Jason Mraz. In 2008, Jackson and his comedy partners in sketch comedy group, Craptastic were nominated for a MTV Movie Award for a "Cloverfield" parody called "Broverfield"[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Video Premiere: Royal Teeth, 'Wild' . . Rachel . Brodsky . July 9, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140820190457/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2013/03/08/royal-teeth-wild-video/ . August 20, 2014 . dead .
  2. Web site: Saint Motel follow in the steps of Silversun Pickups and Benny Goodman . Bill . Forman . . July 8, 2015 . May 19, 2019.
  3. Web site: Review: On solo stint, Nate Ruess keeps the fun. in Sioux City performance . . October 5, 2015 . Bruce R. . Miller . May 19, 2019.
  4. Web site: Finish Ticket Steals The Show At The Crocodile! . Seattle Music Insider . Robin . Fairbanks . April 7, 2015 . May 19, 2019.
  5. Web site: Pilgrimage Festival is a blend of Southern musical influences . . September 29, 2015 . January 7, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160122105302/http://www.cw.ua.edu/article/2015/09/pilgrimage-festival-is-a-blend-of-southern-influences . January 22, 2016 . dead .
  6. Web site: On the Verge: Saint Motel is just our 'Type' . Patrick . Ryan . . May 17, 2015 . May 19, 2019.
  7. Web site: Saint Motel on Bringing 'My Type' and Fresh Underwear to Coachella . . Sophie . Schillaci . April 10, 2015 . May 19, 2019.
  8. Web site: Discovery: Saint Motel. . September 16, 2011 . October 20, 2014.
  9. Web site: Shaky and Sweaty . Rockwired . Brian . Lush . May 19, 2019 . .
  10. Web site: Q&A with Minneapolis-Native A/J Jackson of Saint Motel . Lianna . McLernon . . Feb 4, 2020 . Feb 4, 2020.
  11. News: Music gift: Saint Motel's 'ForPlay' EP . . December 10, 2009 . May 16, 2010.
  12. Web site: Jenkins. Mark. Editorial Review: Saint Motel. The Washington Post. 20 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160919124212/http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/music-events/saint-motel,1235165.html. September 19, 2016. dead.
  13. Web site: Barnabi. Maria Elena. La Nostra Canzone Del Giorno: My Type Dei Saint Motel. Cosmopolitan Italia. October 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141023070455/http://www.cosmopolitan.it/time-out/Musica/La-nostra-canzone-del-giorno-My-Type-dei-Saint-Motel. October 23, 2014. dead. mdy-all. September 30, 2014.
  14. Web site: Coachella 2015: Saint Motel bring flashy style to main stage . . Liset . Marquez . April 12, 2015 . January 7, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160131004848/http://www.dailynews.com/article/LA/20150412/FEATURES/150419800 . January 31, 2016 . dead .
  15. Web site: Saint Motel deliver exuberant live performance . . February 23, 2015 . Sasha . Chebil . May 19, 2019.
  16. Web site: Exclusive Interview: Saint Motel's AJ Jackson Talks Performing MSG, Pre-Concert Rituals . Sondra . Minnich . . Mar 22, 2016 . Mar 22, 2016.
  17. Web site: Saint Motel Is Turning 'saintmotelevision' Into First-Ever Virtual Reality Album, Premieres Visual for 'Destroyer': Exclusive . Alexa . Shouneyia . . May 11, 2017 . May 11, 2017.
  18. Web site: Saint Motel Break Down 'The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1': Exclusive . . Lilly . Pace . October 16, 2019 . October 16, 2019.
  19. Web site: At bigger venue, KRAB fest should be Free 4 more Alls . . Matt . Munoz . June 10, 2015 . May 19, 2019.
  20. Web site: That Music-Making Business . . Jim . Fusilli . October 31, 2009 . May 19, 2019.
  21. Web site: MTV Movie Awards 2008 . MTV.com. May 22, 2008 . May 22, 2008.

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