What is your names?
Jack Critchlow
What is your genre of music?
Pop/Electronic pop/synth pop/indie pop
Give us a little bio about you.
I am an 18 year old singer/songwriter/producer originally from North Yorkshire. My parents say I sang before I talked, and I started playing the guitar aged 10. I wrote my first song aged 12, and one of my earliest songs about syrian refugees featured on BBC News and radio. Since then, I have developed and improved my songwriting, and am now releasing music being featured on BBC Introducing. I am now a student at the royal northern college of music in Manchester, and have now started gigging around the city.
What made you go into music?
Both my Mum and Dad are musical, and they both play piano and drums. My dad was a sound engineer for many years, and his passion for great music inspired me to start creating and playing music. If anything though, my love for music, live music, and songwriting got me into music. If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life, and my passion for music allows me to do that.
Who are your influences?
Some of my biggest influences in current music are artists like Charlie Puth, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak and The Weeknd. The way these artists apply their musicality to songs is so impressive and allows such creative and different songwriting. Older artists who inspire me are Stevie Wonder, Prince, Billy Joel and Queen.
Are you a signed?
No I am not currently signed.
You released your new single is set to release ‘Runaway’, tell us more about the single.
I wrote this song during my first term at the RNCM. It was a very natural process and the melody for the chorus came to me straight away after I wrote the synth part. I remember I came up with the vocal melody, but was going to give a songwriting workshop so didn’t have time to record it so I sang it in to my phone in the taxi. I then recorded it when I got home. The song is about the pressures of relationships and how sometimes you just want to escape and runaway with a person. It encourages people to never take anyone for granted, and to cease what you have when you have it.
Describe the track in two words.
Teenage Escapism
Who did you work with on the single?
The song was all written and produced by me. I then worked with a friend on my course called Louis Rost who mixed and mastered the song.
What was the writing and recording process like?
The writing and recording process was very quick. I believe all great songs are very instinctual, and happen the fastest. I think I wrote the structure verse melody and chorus within an hour. I felt very inspired that day musically and lyrically, and the song fell out of me very naturally.
Will we see a music video for ‘Runaway’ and if so what can we expect from it?
Yes, the music video comes out on Friday 18th February.
What else can we expect in 2022?
Other than new music, I will be playing live around the city of Manchester. I hope to also arrange a small tour later this year to play all my new songs live.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I plan to develop my artist career over the next 4 years at the RNCM. I will keep working as hard as I already do to sustain my career as an artist, and I plan to tour and travel with my music in 5 years time.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
If at first you don’t succeed, try again!
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Adrenaline to be on stage and give your all
Concentration to allow me to perform the best I can
A smile, if I’m enjoying it, you will enjoy it.
Energy, it’s so important to have energy on stage to lift a crowd
Fun! I love performing on stage, and that is the most important part of playing live.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
