Hi Jason and welcome to College Radio Charts! Thank you for spending some time with us today. How has your summer been so far?
Hi, great to hear here for my first interview for this release! My summer has been busy. Getting this release out, and traveling to Pennsylvania to visit my son. And it’s bloody hot. lol
Let’s start at the beginning — what’s your earliest musical memory, and when did you know music was going to be a part of your story?
My dad was Lonesome Dave from Foghat so I grew up with music in my life. This is my third music project but first with Country Side.
You wrote 35 songs for Okey Dokey yourself — that’s a massive creative burst. Where did that inspiration come from, and how did you decide which 24 made the final cut?
It started off as one song for family and friends, then thought I needed another song. Then talking to the band they said send more lyrics and we’ll see what happens. I had some songs written already but sent in 35! When I was told only about 24 coups fit on a CD I struggled with which songs to put on. A few I know I had to and I knew the album would be called Okey Dokey. There’s songs left over for a follow up next spring and I’m writing more songs for that.
Your new single “Shake It Like an Air Dancer” feels like pure joy on tape. What was the moment or memory that sparked that song?
I thought I needed a song people could dance too and saw an air dancer outside a business one day and I was told I dance like an air dancer and the inspiration came to me. I love that song!
The lyrics are all about movement, energy, and community — is that the emotional core of the whole album, or does Okey Dokey take listeners in other directions too?
There’s some hokey run of the mill country songs, a love song, a break up song, a song about a dream I had where Linda Ronstadt and Kelly Clarkson were fighting over me! Haha. There’s also a song about my favourite place… Port Jefferson and a song about my son.
You’ve said the project started as a CD for friends and family — how did it evolve from a small passion project into a full-blown debut album with a band behind it?
Yeah, I loved what these guys did with the single for family and the project kinda blew up from there.
There’s a real Southern spirit in these tracks, both in the storytelling and the sound. Who are some of the artists — past or present — who’ve shaped your musical voice?
I wanted to make a 90s country album… country is fun to write for. I put as many tropes into the lyrics as possible. It started off as a joke… cheesy lyrics but took it more seriously as the project went on.
Country Side feels like a band built in reverse — studio musicians first, then a band name. How did you and the other members—Shaun, Andy, and Chris—come together creatively?
You’re pretty right. These guys are studio musicians who mostly do demos for country people. With the first song for family I wanted to name them so I came up with the play on words… Country Side. It was gonna be J.P.’s Country Side but cut it down to just Country Side. The band didn’t care what I called them. lol
The production on “Shake It Like an Air Dancer” is clean but still raw around the edges in the best way. What was the vibe you and Shaun were aiming for in the studio?
I wanted it to sound like a 90s country album but still modern enough. But not too much… if you like country music you’ll enjoy this album.
This album came out on your own label, Jay-Pea Records. Was that a creative control decision, a necessity, or both? And how does it feel to release music fully on your own terms?
The album was made through CDBaby and put on my label I created. There’s gonna be other Country Side albums and maybe other bands on my label. We’ll see.
Let’s talk Tennessee. Did recording with local studio musicians in that scene influence the sound in ways you didn’t expect? How was the energy there compared to your home, Orlando, Florida?
When I found Shaun he just happened to be a country musician who played great electric guitar and knew the other guys. Everything just kinda fell into place.
A 24-track album is ambitious in today’s era of singles and EPs. Was there a specific reason you wanted to go all in with a full-length release?
Ha! Everyone said that… an album? A CD?! But the original plan was to make songs that other artists might wanna record, and maybe placement on movies or TV shows.
Are there any deep cuts on Okey Dokey that hold a special place for you personally — songs that maybe haven’t caught fire yet, but you hope will?
Yeah, the song Love You The Most, the first real love song I wrote and the song Let’s Hear It For The Boy about my son. And Blah Blah Blah just makes me chuckle,
What’s next for Country Side? Are there plans for live shows, a tour, or is this more of a studio project for now?
Hmmm… definitely a follow-up album in spring. Some songs already recorded so I don’t want them to go to waste. As for as live shows… I was told from the get go before the album was recorded they are studio musicians and will not do shows. But you never know. I have ideas.
You’ve got a debut album out, a single gaining traction, and a new label — how are you balancing the business side of things with the creative side?
The creative side is fun, business side not so much. I’m learning. There were a snafus… mostly with artwork. My friend Gary was such a huge help! I don’t think I could’ve put this out without him. Then there’s the band who were patient with me. On some songs they recorded a few versions of the songs as I was very picky on the sound.
Final question — let’s say someone’s just heard “Shake It Like an Air Dancer” for the first time. What do you hope it leaves them feeling?
I want them to smile, dance and hopefully look into the other songs. You can order the CD from my Facebook. Next step will be getting it in stores and a website,
Thank you so much for spending some time with us today, Jason! Where can fans go to find out more about you and your music?
Jaypearecords on TikTok or Facebook currently. Thanks!
https://countryside.hearnow.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@jaypearecords
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577728426259
