“I have been doing shows, and now I am in my own bed in California after six months,” he said, about touring to promote his eponymous solo album.
“At the moment, I am supporting this record, and getting the music out there,” he said. “I am working super hard. I have a couple of musicals in the works. I have different projects going on because I like working on multiple things at once.”
Each day, Shears is motivated simply by “making good work.” “Whether it’s writing a book or being in a musical, I want to make great work. I want to be inside a creative bubble when the flow is happening since that’s what makes me really happy
On his experience in Kinky Boots on Broadway, Shears said, “I had the time of my life. I worked my absolute hardest on that show, and it was one of the most satisfying experiences and I learned so much from it. I established a whole new skill set, and I have been able to apply that to shows and to writing. I had a really good time.”
Shears listed Beck and Suzanne Vega as his dream collaboration choices in music. “I would love to have a couple of days in the studio with Suzanne Vega. She is one of my favorites,” he said.
He defined the word success as “making work that you are in love with, and finishing it, and putting it out in the world. Making something that you would never regret making and putting it out.”
Digital transformation of the music business
On the impact of technology on the music industry, Shears said, “It is tough. In one way, technology is amazing because of the access that I have to music, where every artist’s whole catalog is on my fingertips. I am a big classic rock fan. I listen to music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. It is amazing to have access to artists’ deep cuts and discographies.”
Shears continued, “On the other hand, technology has changed the way we listen to music. There are pros and cons to it. I am a traditionalist with albums. A playlist is great, and I love it, but albums are important to me. There is nothing like an album since there are songs on there are like conversations with each other.”
“I have never felt more connected to my fans and that is thanks to technology,” he further added.
Jake Shears’ self-titled solo album, which came out on August 10, is available on iTunes.
To learn more about singer-songwriter Jake Shears, check out his official website, and his Facebook page.
