“My name is Jack Ward and I’m a Limerick based artist who makes saccherine sweet house music with pop melodies at heart. My work has been supported and covered by Inverted Audio, Resident Advisor, Bandcloud and Hot Press. “A Gift from Me to You” is a small album/ collection of unreleased tracks, some as far back as 2018 that I wanted to share for people to listen and enjoy.”
Hi Jack Ward, how are you today?
I’m doing good, thanks! Just waking up here on a misty, warm Summer morning. Can hear the birds chatting and will make a coffee shortly.
For those that haven’t heard of you yet, how would you best describe your sound and who have been your biggest influences so far?
Sure thing, I’m a producer who makes pop tinged house music with queer heart at the centre, a reflection of my own person and identity.
You are based in Limerick. Could you tell us how the music scene there has inspired your sound?
(Aphex Twin’s supposed birthplace – which I largely believe to be a fun lie) Limerick is a small but wonderful place filled with lovely, interesting people. Despite its size, the city has a bustling music scene which is always lovely to see. Check out Denise Chaila, Citrus Fresh, Hazey, 40Hurtz, Godwin, Siomha, Strangeboy, Dora Gola, Post Punk Podge, Messyng FC, and Laura Duff.
And what has been your most memorable career moment so far?
Releasing music and seeing people’s reaction to it, honestly.
You have just released your new album titled ‘A Gift from Me to You’. Can you tell us how that tracks came about? Is there a story behind them?
‘A Gift from Me to You’ was a spur of the moment release after I cracked open a bottle of wine and trawled through the documents on my computer one night. It wasn’t planned, it’s some unreleased tracks that I loved and wanted to share with people.
And how would you say it compares to your previous albums (if you have ones)?
Comparing it to previous EP ‘Witches Next Door‘, ‘A Gift from Me to You’ follows that same erratic, sometimes messy and will-nearly-fly off-handles at any moment sound I have created for myself. I hope to only expand, morph and play with this even further with time.
Can we expect a tour in the near future?
I’m an awful DJ but currently toying with the idea of a live set….
The pandemic outbreak has obviously affected everyone’s plans in the past two years, but what have you got in store for the rest of the year?
Absolutely, I’m working on a new record that’s the best music I’ve made – I’m falling in love with it. I’m taking care to think about purposeful, razor sharp imagery, themes, colour palettes, banging tunes that people also fall in love with, luxe and expensive but cheap and DIY, fits just right – this will be out next year sometime.
And finally, what is the best piece of musical advice you have ever been given?
“They don’t build statues of critics” – a t-shirt Charli XCX once wore