A. J. Jackson

A/J Jackson (born Alexander Jackson on 14 September 1983) is an American filmmaker, musician, songwriter, record producer, and perhaps best known as the lead singer for the band Saint Motel.[1][2][3] He is known for his enthusiastic stage performances.[4][5]

A/J Jackson
Background information
Birth nameAlexander Jackson
Born14 September 1983 (1983-09-14) (age 37)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresAlternative rock, indie pop, indie rock
Occupation(s)Musician, Record Producer, Songwriter, Singer, Filmmaker
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals, piano, bass
Years active2007–present
LabelsParlophone Records, Elektra Records, Atlantic Records, OnThe Records

Early life

Jackson was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[6] He first started playing piano and writing his own music at about age seven. Jackson attended film school[7] at Chapman University.[8][9]

Music career

Jackson started playing in bands around the 6th grade moving from bassist to guitarist and singer in high school.[10] He met Aaron Sharp while attending university in Southern California and eventually they would go on to create Saint Motel around 2007. Saint Motel released its debut E.P. ForPlay in 2009 with Jackson as the lead singer and main songwriter.[11] Jackson's songwriting for the EP received praise from The Washington Post.[12]

Saint Motel would go on to release full-length album Voyeur whose tracks reached the top of the Hype Machine Charts in 2012 and an EP, My Type, which includes two international alternative top 40 singles written by Jackson, "Cold Cold Man" and the platinum-selling single, "My Type".[13]

In 2015, Jackson led Saint Motel and dancers at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival,[14] as one of the stops on the band's US tour.[15][5]

In 2016 the band would release its second full-length album 'saintmotelevision' featuring the single "Move" which A/J stated he wrote while they were on tour in Germany.[16] Inspired by new technological possibilities, Jackson would go on to help make this album the world's first complete Virtual Reality and later, Augmented Reality full-length album in 2016 and 2017.[17]

In 2019 the band released part one of its three part album The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack featuring "Van Horn" which A/J said he found inspiration for writing from the town of the same name in Texas while they were on tour.[18]

Film career

After graduation Jackson became a freelance filmmaker directing and editing commercials for companies like Scion, Hyundai, and Elle Magazine, as well as music videos for bands like Royal Teeth and Futurecop!, including his own band Saint Motel.[19][20] When the band's debut album ForPlay was released they had created a music video to accompany each song of the album. Jackson's film clients include Barry Manilow, Band of Skulls, and Jason Mraz. In 2008, Jackson and his comedy partners in sketch comedy group, Craptastic were nominated for a MTV Movie Award for a "Cloverfield" parody called "Broverfield"[21]

Jackson was instrumental in the creation of the first ever virtual reality (VR) album saintmotelevision and the accompanying VR app, saintmotelevisionVR,[22] in 2017.

References
  1. Brodsky, Rachel. "Video Premiere: Royal Teeth, 'Wild'". MTV. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  2. Forman, Bill (July 8, 2015). "Saint Motel follow in the steps of Silversun Pickups and Benny Goodman". Colorado Springs Independent. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  3. Miller, Bruce R. (October 5, 2015). "Review: On solo stint, Nate Ruess keeps the fun. in Sioux City performance". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  4. Fairbanks, Robin (April 7, 2015). "Finish Ticket Steals The Show At The Crocodile!". Seattle Music Insider. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  5. "Pilgrimage Festival is a blend of Southern musical influences". The Crimson White. September 29, 2015. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  6. Ryan, Patrick (May 17, 2015). "On the Verge: Saint Motel is just our 'Type'". USA Today. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  7. Schillaci, Sophie (April 10, 2015). "Saint Motel on Bringing 'My Type' and Fresh Underwear to Coachella". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  8. "Discovery: Saint Motel". Interview Magazine. September 16, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  9. Lush, Brian. "Shaky and Sweaty". Rockwired. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  10. McLernon, Lianna (February 4, 2020). "Q&A with Minneapolis-Native A/J Jackson of Saint Motel". Minnesota Monthly. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  11. "Music gift: Saint Motel's 'ForPlay' EP". Los Angeles Times. December 10, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  12. Jenkins, Mark. "Editorial Review: Saint Motel". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  13. Barnabi, Maria Elena (September 30, 2014). "La Nostra Canzone Del Giorno: My Type Dei Saint Motel". Cosmopolitan Italia. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  14. Marquez, Liset (April 12, 2015). "Coachella 2015: Saint Motel bring flashy style to main stage". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  15. Chebil, Sasha (February 23, 2015). "Saint Motel deliver exuberant live performance". The Daily Californian. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  16. Minnich, Sondra (March 22, 2016). "Exclusive Interview: Saint Motel's AJ Jackson Talks Performing MSG, Pre-Concert Rituals". bandsintown. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  17. Shouneyia, Alexa (May 11, 2017). "Saint Motel Is Turning 'saintmotelevision' Into First-Ever Virtual Reality Album, Premieres Visual for 'Destroyer': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  18. Pace, Lilly (October 16, 2019). "Saint Motel Break Down 'The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  19. Munoz, Matt (June 10, 2015). "At bigger venue, KRAB fest should be Free 4 more Alls". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  20. Fusilli, Jim (October 31, 2009). "That Music-Making Business". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  21. "MTV Movie Awards 2008". MTV.com. May 22, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
  22. Shouneyia, Alexa (May 11, 2017). "Saint Motel Is Turning 'saintmotelevision' Into First-Ever Virtual Reality Album, Premieres Visual for 'Destroyer'". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
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