If you’ve been scrolling on TikTok in any capacity over the last three years, chances are you’ve come across Jax, a talented pop singer-songwriter who also became a social media sensation overnight.
Behind the Scenes: Jax x Malibu Music Video – Courtesy of Laura Mays
The Knockturnal sat down with the singer-songwriter to discuss all things music related, as well as touching on her upcoming support tour for Big Time Rush’s “Can’t Get Enough Tour” and her collaboration with Malibu for the “Escape (The Piña Colada song) remix.
Malibu’s collaboration with Jax reignites the magic and enchantment of the hit and beloved song. Jax’s exceptional storytelling within her songwriting makes this collaboration a perfect pair. Jax’s distinctive sound and captivating visuals are brought to life in the music video skillfully directed by renowned filmmaker Drew Kirsch.
Read the full interview here to delve deeper into our conversation with JAX:
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
The Knockturnal: Obviously, you have so much coming up, you’re about to hit the road with Big Time Rush and Max this summer, and your song ‘Cinderella Snapped‘ has taken off; congratulations! I wanted to dive into your collaboration between you and Malibu for the new and upcoming release of “Escape” (The Piña Colada song) and the music video:
How was it working on this remix, and what was the creative process like? How did this collaboration with Malibu come to be?
JAX: It was super fun for everyone. I love the song ‘Escape’; I grew up with it. So when I started talking with Malibu, I thought, “I could remix this. We know exactly how to reproduce this, so it’s a modern feeling, and we took our own 2023 creative liberties to make it a little summer bop, how it would exist in 2023. We thought it would be fun to make a music video, a summer-pool party kind of thing, and I am a major piña colada fan, so it was the perfect shoot. I got to drink piña coladas during the entire video and loved it. It was like a little mini vacation; it didn’t feel like work for me. It was a fun, relaxing thing to do before the tour and have some fun with amazing swimmers and actors.
Knockturnal: Moving on a little bit to some of your most recent releases, ‘Cinderella Snapped”’ is so well-written, clever, and unapologetic. I have seen so many people on social media and in your comment sections praising this song and your music relating to the lyrics. Especially with “Victoria’s Secret” as well. How does it feel knowing that your music has become an empowering and relatable voice for many of your fans?
JAX: First of all, thank you – High praise on that. It was accidental, the way it all transpired, but I think I spent a lifetime writing songs and wanting to be a pop singer; growing up, I always thought, ‘It will never be enough.’ As I got older and started to write songs that were authentic to my own story and my trauma, it connected with a community that has gone through the same struggles that I have. My heart is full. There is nothing more I need to accomplish; everything is icing on the cake at this point. I’m so over the moon as a songwriter…To do this professionally, be honest, and sing and write how I want. I’ve never done that. My whole life, I’ve written for zillions of other artists. I’ve written all the wrong things for myself because I was told I had to sing certain things and look a certain way. When TikTok started, it gave me validation of the fact that I could exist as myself and as an artist. I could talk about things that make me uncomfortable; I could sing cheesy lyrics and be comfortable doing it. To see that I have fans in front row singing the lyrics back at me, things that I wish I would’ve understood at that age… It’s free therapy for me. I have no words for how the last three years went down. I’m still trying to process it all, but it’s very cool, and I owe my life to these fans; it’s very crazy.
Knockturnal: In ‘Cinderella Snapped,’ you have taken so many elements of childhood by using various princesses and their fairytales. You do a great job at storytelling and using pop culture references that I think to appeal to listeners and your fans. How do you go about choosing these themes or concepts for your songs that resonate with you?
JAX: Another good question because I don’t think there’s an official answer to this. When I moved to LA, a lot of the time, people would say (to me), “Oh, you’re so Nashville.” I never really understood what that meant until I went to Nashville to write a couple of songs. I don’t really write country, but I felt very at home in storytelling there. I love coming into the studio with a list of words and concepts I heard in conversation. We could have one right now, and I could write it down, and I could play off a concept. That’s how my brain processes music; It starts with words. A lot of people start with melodies, and a lot of people start with a beat. A sentence, phrase, comment, or concept will pique my interest in a conversation. I’ll be able to pull from moments of my life, stories, and things that I’ve been through. Very full circle. It is very concept driven… And I love a good pun!
Knockturnal: As we are talking about the themes of songwriting and storytelling, Are there any musical inspirations or songwriters who have influenced you and your musical style as an artist? Any dream collaborations?
JAX: Oh yeah! It’s endless. I thank my parents every day for playing everything. My mom was a Deadhead, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Billy Joel… (she) Forced badass women on me from the minute I was born; Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Melissa Etheridge, and Hayley Williams… Sia and Julia Michaels are big songwriter influences for me. They’re major trailblazers for me in this community of songwriters. I think my dream collaboration for me would be Ed Sheeran.
The artist highlighted her ability to establish personal boundaries and prioritize her mental and emotional well-being.
Knockturnal: There is so much anticipation and buzz about your upcoming tour with Big Time Rush for their “Can’t Get Enough” alongside Max. It begins so soon! I am so curious about how you’re preparing for it. With the tour around the corner, how have you been preparing for the shows, and how are you feeling about going on tour with the guys?
JAX: It’s been a tricky balance finding mental, physical, and work health (balance) all at once. I’m trying to exercise, get my cardio on, eat clean, and drink a lot of water; I’ve been on vocal rest in major chunks. We’re back out on the road, and I needed to find some personal time for me. The thing that’s been keeping me mentally organized, stable, ready, and prepared is ending every day on airplane mode – off social media and playing card games with my fiancé, and then going to bed. We’ve been rehearsing with ENTs, coaches, and stylists…But most importantly, I think it’s about keeping your mental (health) healthy. I really wanna hold onto authenticity (for my fans.) Taking personal space has always been really tricky for me. I was homeschooled, and I feel like I have a responsibility now.
Behind the Scenes: Jax x Malibu Music Video – Courtesy of Laura Mays
Knockturnal: With this highly anticipated tour, you know fans are not only thrilled for the experience of seeing three fantastic artists and performers, but I know some fans are curious about the setlist. Whether that be your most popular songs, fan favorites, or possible unreleased music. What do you factor in when creating a setlist for this show?
JAX: We had done the Jingle Ball tour, which was incredible, but it was a short set, so I had to consolidate (my music) and try to find the best (songs) to showcase what I believe in. I got excited! I get to take a minute on piano and go into TikTok brain and play around and improve a bit in the set, which is really fun for me because that’s my favorite part… We’re (her band) playing most of the songs that have been released, and then maybe one or two new songs…We shall see! It’s going to be a really fun and upbeat set.
Knockturnal: What are you most excited about for the live shows?
JAX: I’m most excited about being able to have a piano break. It’s been a lot of “Go, go, go!” and a bit of a time crunch with the band, sing your heart out, high cardio all the time, …very punk/pop. I feel comfortable just sitting down for a second, having a conversation, and feeling the audience on tour. I’m also excited for the moments I’m going to (be able to) meet and greet fans in every city and finally hug people that have been following me from their phone screens or talking to them in DMs and comments. Putting faces to usernames is always a cool feeling for me.
Jax’s energy throughout our conversation felt highly authentic, and her passion for storytelling and performing is genuinely captivating. Without a doubt, she is one of the most unapologetic and exceptionally talented songwriters to look out for this year.
Click below to check out the full music video for the Malibu x Jax Remix ‘Escape (The Piña Colada Song)’ and Jax’s social media platforms! To learn more, visit malibudrinks.com and follow @malibrumus #MalibuPinaColada.
Jax – Instagram
Jax – TikTok