Q&A: Jack Boyd Gets Vulnerable On New Single “Jesus saves”
IT SEEMS AS THOUGH EVERY SONG THAT — Jack Boyd releases, he’s found a new way to express sheer vulnerability within them, which is true to say once again of his latest single, “Jesus saves.” His upbringing in the Bible Belt has led to this emotional new track that encapsulates a familiar sound which listeners have been absolutely loving.
As each song by Boyd peels away at different layers of himself, he creates “movies for your ears” as he shares the most vulnerable sides of himself within each track, this new release potentially being the most personal one yet. His former struggle with substances and his strength to overcome it is incredibly inspiring and the real rawness of his lyrics within this song are a testament to that.
Boyd recently received praise on the new track from Zane Lowe: “So beautifully done, Jack Boyd,” he stated. “I love the production of it. I love the looseness of it. I love the breakbeat … ’90s feel of the drums and the way that the music … flows with the looseness. It’s very much in keeping right now of a sound that I’m very happy with, which seems to be rediscovered through artists like Role Model, Jack Antonoff… That sense of what it’s like to listen to somebody actually express themselves.”
Luna had the opportunity to dive a little bit deeper into the song with Boyd as he discussed how his experiences have shaped him as a person, what he hopes listeners can take away from the song, and more. Read the full interview below.
LUNA: How has growing up in the Bible Belt shaped you as the person you are today?
BOYD: I think it has made me aware of how people can be, act, and live a certain way based on their surroundings. I’ve grown to really appreciate moments in time that I may have thought of as bad at one point. I think I’m kind of obsessed with the human condition and what it means to just survive “living” — I think more than anything that growing up in that area was just a learning experience for me, to learn about people and religion.
LUNA: Your experience with religion has carried over into your latest single, “Jesus saves.” Was there a particular experience that inspired the creation of this song?
BOYD: There’s no one experience that I think I could point to, but I think having my time struggling with using substances as well as just trying to figure myself out within the bubble of a religious town made me want to talk about those things from a passive standpoint. I wouldn’t consider myself religious, but I’m interested in religion and I like the idea of my music sort of being a soundboard for all of my thoughts and feelings.
LUNA: Which line in the song stands out to you the most, and why?
BOYD: “So I took the pill out, I threw it back down and I felt new.” I love this line because I feel like it’s so simple on the surface but really has so much depth and meaning. It can stand for a lot of things. Although I'm talking in the literal sense, I think it's a statement regarding all vices and ways of coping with reality.
LUNA: A lot of people struggle with their religious identity, while some may even get offended to be questioning anything at all. How did you navigate writing this song with that potentially in mind?
BOYD: Honestly, I wasn’t thinking about whether or not it would offend somebody. I think the song is more passive than anything — I’m not making any bold claims about religion but merely expressing my view on how it affects me personally.
LUNA: What do you hope listeners will be able to take away from this song, maybe those who have encountered a similar experience?
BOYD: I hope they just feel something when they listen to it, whether that be good or bad.
