JACK MYLCHREEST

JAMES BARKER DISCOVERS WHAT INSPIRES AND DELIGHTS THE ALT. COUNTRY SONGWRITER AHEAD OF HIS NEW EP RELEASE

Jack Mylchreest is an alternative country singer-songwriter from the North East who is poised to release his debut EP, In My Stride. Jack has spent the past five years as a working musician and the new EP shows him bringing together an eclectic range of influences and showing off his development into a confident country artist.

He describes his decision to write and record country music as “the perfect genre to express myself…Whether that be a really heavy guitar-driven track, or a really delicate and gentle ballad. The music that excites me now mainly comes from modern country artists like Morgan Wade, Luke Combs and Brothers Osborne to name a few.”

He explains that his biggest songwriting inspirations come from artists like Tom Petty, Bryan Adams and Chris Stapleton, whose sound provided a real lightbulb moment for Jack. “Inspiration comes from various genres including country, pop, rock and blues. I’ve always been into heavy guitar based music, but then I came across Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher and realised I wanted to experiment with blues.”

In My Stride reflects this versatility, from the opening country rocker Sober, to the contemplative ballads Wait (featuring Lauren Shaw) and Homesick, and to indie pop Tryin’ (which sounds plenty country to my ears!). The EP covers a full range of musical and emotional ground, from loss and heartbreak to insecurity, exemplified by Jack’s first single Safe With You. “The thing that links all these songs together is that they were written at a time where I felt inspired to start writing again. Some songs are autobiographical and some revolve around observations of others.”

Jack has refined his craft, describing his process: “If I get an idea I play around with the melody and lyrics with an acoustic guitar, probably spending an hour or so on that before I record a little demo on my phone. I would usually then leave it for a week or so to see if I can remember it, if it’s memorable I know it has potential.”

I HOPE PEOPLE CONNECT WITH THESE SONGS AND APPLY THEM TO THEIR OWN SITUATIONS, REALISING THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE IN WHAT THEY’RE DEALING WITH

The creativity doesn’t end there, as the band play around with it up to the point of recording in the studio. For instance: “While drummer Sophie Purvis was laying down her parts for my song Tryin’, she played a half time groove in the middle eight which was never on the demo.” The musical direction of Wait changed from a country ballad to a piano-based track after keys player Lyndon Philliskirk played the song’s opening.

Jack hopes that on hearing the EP, people are able to find common ground with the subject matter. “I hope people connect with these songs and apply them to their own situations, realising that they are not alone in what they’re dealing with… whether it be heartbreak from a relationship, missing a loved one, struggling with anxiety, or even seeing someone they care about lose their way.”

Just as Jack regularly feels comfort in listening to other people’s songs, he hopes others can find comfort in his.

Jack Mylchreest releases In My Stride EP on 30th September. He plays Prohibition Cabaret Bar, Newcastle on Thursday 29th September, Bari Bar in Sunderland on Saturday 1st and Stack Seaburn on Friday 14th October. www.jackmylchreest.live