If you search the internet for the most talk about trance track at the moment that gets great reviews and positive comments on social networks is by far the brand Headstrong single featuring the Danish lady of trance Stine Grove called Tears and remixed by the brilliant progressive project Aurosonic. It was about time after knowing Don via internet and emails requesting promo copies of his Sola records releases to play in my radio shows for quite many years, to request an interview from him. When he told me that he is going to do it I was really happy cause his Headstrong tracks are my favorite vocal trance tracks and even Love Calls featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw is one of my Top 10 vocal trance tracks ever.
So definitely what you are going to read is pretty different from previous interviews as this time the interviewee is not a famous dj or a brand new face in the EDM scene but rather a true artist who writes wonderful lyrics and compose brilliant uplifting trance beauties that remain in the all time favorites of many djs for years. If you always wonder who is the mastermind behind the Headstrong lyrics better read the interview that follows and I’m sure that you will get to know through his answers a really wonderful artist who loves music as much as the air that he breathes. After reading it I’m sure that you are going to fell in love even more with his music and if it happens to be an artist or a remixer why not to contact him and set up a collaboration for a future classic. When Love Calls is better to have your ears open cause you are going to experience a real Symphony of Soul that Sometimes brings happiness and some others Tears. If you want to achieve your goals better be "Headstrong"as Don Jackson is too.
Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music Journalist, Radio/Club Dj
Dimitri: First of all I would like to ask some basics questions, where were you born and are you coming from a family that has any connection with music or any other form of arts?
Don(Headstrong): I was born in York, a City in the U.K. I have lived there all my life and still live there now in a house just outside the city surrounded by fields and great views of countryside. One of the bedrooms is my studio which looks over fields and farmland. I didn’t know until recently but my granddad was a singer in the clubs many years ago. My mum used to play Piano, both my brothers are and were singers in bands so a pretty musical background. My brothers are older than me and my eldest brother taught me guitar at 12 years old. Still to this day I write all my songs to my guitar. If the song moves me just to guitar I know I’m onto something good.
Dimitri: Do you remember the kind of music you were exposed in your childhood and later in your teenage years? Do you believe that this music upbringing have influenced your later tastes?
Don(Headstrong): MY mum and dad introduced me to the Beatles who wrote endless amounts of great songs. I’ve always liked them. I’m influenced by all different genres of music and have the opinion if a song or tune is good ‘its good’ doesn’t matter who sings it or what style it is. I do feel been exposed to a lot of music early on in life made me want to write my own songs. For me its all about the basic song and everything else afterwards is the icing on the cake.
Dimitri: I wonder if you can let us know when and under what kind of circumstances you took the decision to enter the music business and particularly to work as a composer/producer for EDM music and more specially trance and progressive. Do you regret that decision nowadays that becomes more and more difficult to make a living as a composer/producer as a result of digital piracy and changes in technology?
Don(Headstrong): I was playing guitar in indie bands for years and one day I was having a drink in a bar and a friend asked me to go to a Rave. I didn’t even know what he meant. But decided to check out a club and the Rave scene was alive. I was totally inspired back then as I am now. I knew straight away that I wanted to make dance music and I knew I could do it alone even in my bedroom with a pc and keyboards. The record that first turned me onto Trance music was a record by Matt Darey ‘ called Beautiful. I heard that on the radio one day and thought that’s the kinda dance music that emotionally does something for me.
It does upset me how difficult it is to survive in the music industry when so many illegally download music but I cant see a way to stop it. I’ll never regret my decision to do what I do because it is my passion and always will be. Ill always do music.
Dimitri: It would be cool to pin point to us the figures that have influenced you to get into the EDM music scene and had a great impact on the way that you write your lyrics and the music too. Those can be EDM producers or DJ’s, film music composers, poets, authors and other artists.
Don(Headstrong): First Dance Music genre people were Fat Boy Slim. Sasha. Paul oakenfold etc and DJ’s in the early days like Pete Tong, Carl Cox, Sasha, and these days Armin Van Buuren, Judge Jules, Tiesto, Above & Beyond, Gabriel & Dresden, for song writing inspiration it would be Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Mike Scott, Beatles, many people you wouldn’t expect me to be into I guess.
Dimitri: You always mention that Judge Jules was a major force in becoming known and get the exposure that you deserved. Is it possible to tell us your opinion about him and his impact in the UK EDM scene and if you have ever met with him and if he offers you any form of advice?
Don(Headstrong): Yes I do mention ‘Jules’ and admire what he has done for dance music in general for years. He was the first to pick up on my music and play it on his BBC radio 1 show. For that I will be eternally grateful. I love the fact that he responds to people and he answers all his emails. True dedication to the music without the ego. He has been a major pioneer of Trance music globally and deserves huge respect.
Last year I was in Ibiza and Jules put me on some guest lists. I was at Eden one night and stood next to him whilst he did his set, his energy was amazing and he’s pretty much loved out there. Jules has never offered advice and I’ve never asked. ‘Im just grateful of his continuing support of my work. We did collaboration last year which was cool.
Dimitri: Do you have formal musical studies as composer or are you self taught and do you see musical education as being really crucial for the quality of the final music product?
Don(Headstrong): I’m totally self taught really. My brother started me on Guitar then I took things to my own level. I play quite a few instruments ok but guitar is my main instrument with Piano second. I think as a producer you just try and improve all the time, maybe musical education can speed that up but at the end of the day you need good ears, total dedication and some natural talent.
Dimitri: Can you please describe to us your studio and what kind of equipment, software or hardware you are using to produce those unforgettable classics?
Don(Headstrong): My studio is just a spare bedroom that had some acoustic treatment, basically foam on walls etc and I use a pc with Cubase. I had lots of keyboards at one time like an access virus, triton, etc all of which I have now sold. I manage fine with software synths and pluggins. I have an M audio 18/14 soundcard and a UAD card for FX. I also use ‘Waves pluggins and spectrasonics software. I have Genelec Monitors and Krk Monitors plus good Headphones. I sampled my favourite patches from my synths before I sold them. One Roland synth I had cost £700 and I only wanted it for one string sound. After a while I couldn’t justify keeping it so I sampled that sound and sold the synth. That string sound is on all my releases.
Dimitri: When was your first major hit that after its release you got many phone calls and emails from record labels to sign it and release it or license it?
Don(Headstrong): The first big tune was ‘Close Your eyes’ this got played by Jules on radio 1 for about 9 weeks. 4 weeks my original and then 4 weeks Matt Darey remix then Andy Moor remix. Matt Darey had his new record label taking off then so obviously we released it on that label. It was the first time id been driving in my car with the radio on and my tune came on. I had to pull over I was buzzing so much.
Dimitri: Headstrong is the main project that you release your music. Is it possible to tell us why you decide to start it and from where did you get the idea to call the project with that name?
Don(Headstrong): People use to say I was Headstrong because I was very ambitious. I never use to listen to all the people that said you can’t do this or you cant do that. I hate that mentality. I know for a fact that if you work hard enough for something you can make things happen. Things don’t happen for you unless you start the snowball rolling. When I’m motivated I am very Headstrong. Ill stay up all night if I’m inspired. Time of day doesn’t matter, you have to respond when the creative juices are flowing.
Dimitri: I'm going to mention the name of all the vocalists that worked with and I would love to have a short comment about each of them, how was to work with them, how did you met them and if you have any funny incident that happen while you were working with them in the studio for a track:
Don(Headstrong): a-Tiff Lacey : Lovely woman, one of the nicest I’ve ever met. Matt Darey introduced me to her and she provided vocals for ‘Close your eyes’ my first big tune. I’ve had lots of big tunes with Tiff and I hope to again when the time is right. She deserves great things.
b- Kirsty Hawkshaw : Beautiful voice and very sweet girl. We did ‘Love calls’ and she did awesome vocal for my song, turned out that my girlfriend at the time use to look after her grandma ! it’s a small world.
c- Shelley Harland : One of the best singers I have ever heard. We did my song ‘Helpless’and her vocal was stunning. Its one of my favourite songs I've written. Aurosonic is remixing Helpless’ next which will be awesome.
d-Kate Smith : Kate is in a relationship with my mate from York where I live. He moved to London and met Kate. I sent her the song and she liked it and sang. She did an awesome job and I think that tune deserved to be bigger. It had Radio 1 support for a few weeks.Maybe it will take off with a new remix.
e-Helena Ward: My girlfriend came across Helena on the internet. I asked her to sing 3 songs for me which she did really well. Great voice and very nice girl.
f- Ridgewalkers: Ivor and El are great. Loved their hit ‘Find’ and asked if they wanted to collab. We have done a few tunes and I have a brand new tune with them now I just finished that’s great.
g-Inaya Day: Inaya was introduced to me by a friend who does house music. I'd written this housey tune and couldn’t imagine the singers I was working with singing it so I asked Inaya. She seems very nice, very professional, very together and efficient. One hell of a legendary voice.
h-Andrea Britton : Andrea is great, did a few songs with her and she was great to work with. She is professional and tries hard for you. She came to my house and we went out to dinner. I liked her even more after spending real time with her. She has sung on some great records.
i-Inner Smile: Stumbled across inner smile on the internet. Myspace I think. I really liked Gera’s voice and asked to work with her. Was great to work with her unusual vocal style and really nice voice. Another track on my album I need to revisit.
Dimitri: The main reason for this interview is the forthcoming/current release as Headstrong with Stine Grove on the really beautiful and mesmerizing Tears. Is it possible to tell us from where did you get the inspiration to write this song and of course your opinion about Stine Grove and her vocal abilities and performance on that particular track?
Don(Headstrong): I had a relationship that ended and had been messed up for a year or more. Then I met someone new and my life changed completely. I wrote the song while laid on the sofa playing guitar. It was all written in an hour or so. Id suffered so much pain for a year the words came easy and honestly. A friend of mine said when I was really low ‘’don’t worry, at least you’ll get a great song out of this’ and I think he was right. When you tell it from the heart people know it’s real. Then they connect. My new girlfriend had also been through hard times and the song is about changing her life too and making her happy. I came across Stine on myspace. I really liked her voice and knew with the right songs she would be magical. I sent her my song and she sang it beautifully. She really connected with it. It’s a stunning vocal. She is also amazing to work with and a very very nice woman. I’ve only great things to say about her.
Dimitri: I wonder if your songs describe real life situations that you have passed in your personal life or if you write songs about others people’s stories that always happen to be universal and touch people all over the world.
Don(Headstrong): All my songs are real. The emotions in them are real and what I'm saying is real. Maybe that’s why singers love singing my songs and I get the best from the singers. All my songs are from my personal experiences and if they don’t move me, I don’t use them, if they really get to me I get confident people will relate to the emotions in the song. I've lived out every song myself.
Dimitri: I noticed that for each release you have great selection of remixers who always give their best to create an equal version to the really strong original track such as Mike Shiver, Paul Miller, Supuer, Andy Moor, Matt Darey and for your latest one the upcoming Aurosonic, Genix, Karl G amongst others. Please can you let us know why you choose the particular artists to remix your tracks and how is this process working? Do you approach them or do they ask to remix the tracks for you because they love the originals for instance?
Don(Headstrong): It works both ways. Sometimes Artists ask to remix because they love the song. Other times I think about who would be right for the song. I try to get a lot of styles to see what each artist creates and often like to try new remixers trying to make a name for themselves to get them noticed.
With Tears My original mix was being played on Radio 1 and I had a great remix from Genix supported By Armin and Gareth Emery, I had a full package of remixes but I knew there was something missing. I hadn’t got the mix that makes you go wow. I had heard ‘Aurosonic’ do a remix of ‘See the sun’ and loved it. I knew that my song ‘Tears’ with that style behind it would be massive so I asked ‘Aurosonic to step in. He did the stunning remix id been searching for turning the song into a monster hit.
Dimitri: Can you choose your absolute favorite remix on a Headstrong track and tell us the reason why you loved it so much?
Don(Headstrong): There are 3 Remixes I cant decide between.
1. The Truth (David West Remix) this just blew everyone away full stop. Was a first class lesson in how to remix a track.
2. Love Calls’( Floris de Haan remix ) this chilled out remix was simply fantastic and took the track to exactly the place I wanted it. Really dry mix but total quality. Faultless production
3. Tears (Aurosonic Remix) Evgeny is one of the hottest producers there is just now and did a stunning job on this track. His production is awesome and I love his sound. We have become good friends and will continue to work together. When you get a combination of a great song, amazing vocal then beautiful production, You cant go wrong and that’s how I felt it was with me, Stine and Aurosonic.
Dimitri: I have read stories of many people saying that particular tracks have helped them to pass a difficult situation in their lives and even get the inspiration to find a solution to it. Have you ever read or someone told you a similar thing happening to them with any of your tracks??
Don(Headstrong): Yes I have, Tears, Love calls, and Helpless. For example one guy had lost his wife and kids and he listened to Helpless every day to help him get through his darkest hours. I was so touched by that and realize how important a song can be to people. I wrote Helpless when I was feeling very alone and I guess people easily relate to that. We’ve all experienced loneliness.
Dimitri: Of course within the digital age feedback is much more immediate at platforms like YouTube or facebook. Are you happy with the comments that your latest track Tears is getting on YouTube and do you see this as a great promotional tool for any artist?
Don(Headstrong): The feedback has been amazing on facebook and youtube for Tears. Its an incredible tool. The downside of the net is illegal downloads but the upside is reaching millions of people you never would have. Tears’ has had around 80.000 views if you add up all the youtube videos in a week which is out of this world. These sites are one hell of a promotional tool.
Dimitri: Tears get the radio support by Armin van Buuren, Markus Schultz, Judge Jules and others. Do you see the support on specialist EDM radio shows as vital for your tracks to become known and get the hype and exposure they deserve?
Don(Headstrong): Yes such shows as these are the platform for your promotion and getting your music out there, They are highly respected DJ’s and radio shows and their support is not only vital but gets your music to the masses.
Dimitri: Are we going to see more tracks coming in 2011 at Sola records after Tears? Is it possible to reveal some of them?
Don(Headstrong): Yes definitely, Aurosonic is remixing ‘Helpless’ next which will be awesome plus we plan to do a follow up to ‘Tears’ with Stine Grove. I’ve a couple of other tracks too and who knows I may finally get ‘Timeless’ part 2 out (The Album) before Christmas.
Dimitri: Finally please let us know if you accept demos for Sola records and what kind of tracks are you looking for?
Don(Headstrong): I do accept Demos. Send to demos at solarecords.com. Any real good modern Trance or Progressive etc is welcome for a listen and people should note I'm always looking for remixers so even if we don’t consider a track suitable for the label I may ask you to remix.
Dimitri: Many thanks for finding the time to reply on it
Don(Headstrong): Thanks to everyone who has taken time out to read this. I hope you like the new track ‘Tears’ and I will have new releases out soon…..
Headstrong feat Stine Grove including the mega hyped Aurosonic remix its out on Sola records.
Headstrong feat Shelley Harland - Helpless, the Aurosonic & J-Soul remixes will be out 10th of October
Headstrong feat Shelley Harland - Helpless, the Aurosonic & J-Soul remixes will be out 10th of October
Additional info:
www.facebook.com/donjacksonheadstrong
www.myspace.com/donjacksonheadstrong
www.solarecords.com
www.twitter.com/headstrongmusic
www.headstrong-hq.com
www.soundcloud.com/headstrong
www.facebook.com/donjacksonheadstrong
www.myspace.com/donjacksonheadstrong
www.solarecords.com
www.twitter.com/headstrongmusic
www.headstrong-hq.com
www.soundcloud.com/headstrong
