Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack DeMeo.
Jack, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started playing guitar when I was about 7 or 8 years old.
And I started initially because I thought playing the electric guitar would earn me some kind of status at school. At that age, in 2003, me and my friends were obsessed with guitar-heavy pop punk bands like Simple Plan and Blink 182. So when my parents bought me a little red guitar and amplifier, I got hooked pretty quick.
Around middle school, I started getting into writing songs. My good friend Henry – who I met at a local rock camp in Northampton MA – and I wrote acoustic folk songs in my basement. We were inspired by Fleet Foxes, The Shins, Edward Sharpe, Wilco… We played our songs at a local coffeehouse. Eventually, we decided to go electric and make a band. So I got my friend Sam Wardlaw to play drums, and Carly Florence to play bass. This group became Goat Boy and was my main band throughout middle and high school. We made a couple of records, played a bunch of really fun shows in Western Mass, and overall just had a great time.
After high school, I went to USC Thornton School of Music as a student in their Popular Music Program. It’s an amazing program that teaches young excited musicians how to turn their dreams into reality, essentially. I met so many of my present collaborators at school. My experience there really convinced me that making a life in music was truly a possibility.
I graduated last year. During my time at school, and since then, I gotten my hands into all kinds of musical projects with cool people. I regularly record guitar for LA artists, write in sessions, and play as a sideman. I work with a team of songwriters and producers to make music for film and TV. I might be going on tour as a keys player in October. I’ve been keeping busy making as much music as I can while also trying to make ends meet in LA. It’s a frenzied, rewarding way of living.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No! And I would think the road isn’t really smooth for anyone. I’ve dealt with all the normal stuff- depression, crippling anxiety, getting in my own way. I’ve struggled a lot with the idea of doing music as a career. There are times when you fall in and out of love with it, and the downtimes can be difficult.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Well, I basically agree that it’s defined by the individual. It’s a deep question. I think part of it is about achieving one’s potential. Like becoming the most YOU that you can be.
But then you don’t want to get caught up thinking you have to spend your whole life bettering yourself like your something broken that must constantly be fixed.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @jackdemeo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackdemeomusic/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiJ7VdIClOZVu78tirUZVNw
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ga98zwjvCIG0FUfRvwh15
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