Jack-Henry Day shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jack-Henry, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
After spending so long in post-production, trying to make sure everything turned out the absolute best it could, my director, Lily af Geijerstam-Lindberg, and I were finally able to submit our film to festivals. Hitting that button for the first time, knowing that our project was about to be viewed by strangers, was a terrifying moment but one of tremendous pride as well.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! My name is Jack-Henry Day and I am an aspiring writer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. I champion queer stories regardless of genre and style, although most of the work I write has a great deal of hopeful-romantic themes with a dash of sarcasm. When I’m not on set, I’m usually working out a melody for a song, playing old Sonic games, or moonlighting as a bartender. Recently, I wrote a short film titled “The Boy in Blue” and had the immense privilege of producing it alongside the project’s director, Lily af Geijerstam-Lindberg and executive producer Alexander Stoupas of Deli Fresh Media. It’s been the biggest and most worthwhile labor of love I’ve pursued, I can’t wait to share it with the world as it makes its way through the festival circuit.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I’ve been thinking a lot about the times in my life when I’ve avoided taking a picture. When I was younger it was easy to blame it on being a teenager, acne breakouts, and overall adolescent angst. It’s a practice, however, that I never really let go of. I hate my smile and if I take more than a few seconds looking at a photo I’ll intrinsically seek out the flaws on my face. Very dramatic, but it’s always been this visceral feeling, one that crops up every time someone suggests a selfie or group pic. The few times I’d been able to stifle that part of myself have become my only window into certain years of my life. Aside from memories, I don’t have a lot of mementos or tokens from the last ten years. I used to justify this by telling myself the songs and stories I wrote were my version of a photo album. Writing was the safest way for me to capture a feeling, a person, or a moment without having to actually see it. In some ways I believe this pushed me to infuse all of my work with an unashamed honesty. For some reason I found it immeasurably easier to point out my own flaws, reflect on mistakes, and ultimately appreciate everything I was experiencing through one medium more than any other. However, as grateful as I am for the comfort I found in music and screenplays, I can’t help but wish I took more pictures with the understanding that a future version of myself would be grateful. So, while I still struggle with immense insecurity and haven’t quite learned how to make smiling with teeth appear natural, I’m doing my best to embrace capturing as many moments going forward as I can regardless of how the outcome might look.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. Prior to signing a contract with Plaid Dog Recording, my debut album was essentially dead. I had moved back in with my parents during the early days of the pandemic with only a few rough demos, two mastered tracks, and hundreds of dollars spent on recording costs. None of the material I worked on was anywhere near what I wanted it to sound like and that was largely because of me. I didn’t have a lot of experience recording music. I was naive and assumed it would come together naturally. However, writing music and producing music are two very different things and I wasn’t capable of articulating what I was hearing in my head to the artists in the studio. I felt ashamed, embarrassed, and ultimately finished. This thing I dreamed of since I was kid was turning into a dead-end nightmare. So, with no producers to work with, no studios to record in, and no desire to continue, I just stopped. If a new lyric crept into my head, I just let it go. When a vocal melody played on repeat, I never reached for the mic. When a concept developed against my wishes, I clung to the nearest distraction I could find. It wasn’t worth writing anything if I couldn’t find a way to bring it to fruition. Luckily, I was surrounded by family and friends who pushed me to keep going. People in my life that knew what I really wanted even when I didn’t. I think back on the two years I spent avoiding anything songwriting-related and wince. There are a lot of ideas I’ll never be able to get back, but thanks to my loved ones I found a new and deeper understanding of music, my music. I taught myself the skills I wish I had prior and sought inspiration from the despair (and self-pity) I’d befriended. Somehow, it all lead to a full-length album. An album I could never have made without the love of those who believed in my voice.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think the entertainment industry tends to champion auteurs and the so-called “self-made artist”. The emphasis placed on doing everything by yourself is not only ridiculous but utterly false. I don’t believe there should be any shame in embracing collaboration, accepting help, and ultimately supporting others as we all navigate a career in this industry. I would never have been able to make a film like “The Boy in Blue” without a small village of inspiring, proficient, and dedicated artist to bring the project to life. I wish this business would spend a little more time dispelling the myth of making it on your own and demonstrate the power of synergy.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
As fall has officially begun, I’ve been thinking a lot about home. In Connecticut the leaves will be changing colors soon. It’s still my favorite place and this is my favorite time of the year. There’s a small side street about a mile and a half from my childhood home that I’ve spent many times walking down. Covered entirely by these beautiful trees, small creeks, and wetlands, it always felt like a breath after suffocating. Whenever I’m on Highland Farm Road listening to my favorite playlist is when I’m most at peace. Incidentally, that might explain why I’ve been a little extra anxious lately.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackhenryday/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-henry-day-a9a08016a/
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jackhenryday
Image Credits
Tenderly Mondragon, Elisabeth Day, Mauricio Cimino
