Project Description

Interview with

AARON JURD

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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The Lake Macquarie singer-songwriter spent five years playing gigs in cover bands and duos before he decided to chase his ultimate goal of releasing original music. His debut single, Set Me On Fire, tells of the emotional struggles that come with reaching the lowest point in your life, but knowing there is a way out, although you haven’t found it yet.

The talented artist graduated from the 2018 CMAA Academy of Country Music in January and, with his fellow graduates, performed at the Official Opening Concert of the Tamworth Country Music Festival. During his time at the academy, he worked with Amber Lawrence, Fanny Lumsden, Kasey Chambers, and Kevin Bennet. Aaron also co-wrote a song with seven-time Golden Guitar winner Allan Caswell.

With his strong vocal abilities, 2013 and 2014 saw Aaron named a finalist in Today’s Country 94one Brand New Star Competition. His success in 2014 meant he was selected to join 10 other artists for a song workshop with country music artist Gina Jeffreys where he co-wrote a song with the star.

FOLLOWING the success of his top five charting single, Set Me On Fire, Aaron Jurd returns with his sophomore single, Hard to Breathe. While Aaron‘s debut single Set Me On Fire, released in September last year, was about the hard times in life, Hard To Breathe has a pop-country edge to it and reminisces about new love and the many emotions it brings with it. This is an upbeat song that sees the Lake Macquarie artist at his happiest.

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How did you first get into music?
I have always felt drawn to music. Even as a youngster I was always tapping my feet to the television and the radio when a song was played. I grew up singing whenever I could… around the house and in the car. I’d lock all the doors and windows and belt my lungs out. I feel sorry for the neighbors now but I just loved music and especially loved to sing.

When did it become a serious concern?
I began to take it more seriously from around the age of 15, which was when I wrote my first song. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in music and chase my dream but I never really knew how to go about taking the next step until I entered a radio singing competition at the age of 19. I auditioned and made it into the first heat which was very daunting because I’d never sang in front of a crowd before and the audience consisted of about 200 people. I made it through to the finals and realised that this was what I wanted to do.

Where did you develop your interest in performing music to an audience?
I’d have to say that the radio competition would be when I first developed an interest in performing to an audience. I think it was the whole atmosphere of it – the live music, being up on stage, and hearing the crowd cheer me on.

What kind of music did you grow up on?
I grew up on my parent’s taste in popular rock music which was anything from Matchbox 20 to Jimmy Barnes and Steve Earle. But I also listened to a lot of pop radio stations and was heavily influenced by pop music at the time. It wasn’t until the age of 16 that I branched out into country music and my love for it has grown ever since.

What artists inspired you and which do you still look to now for ideas?
I love so many artists, but my bigger inspirations are Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts.
I don’t intentionally look to an artist for ideas, I like to be myself and make the music I am feeling at the time. I do however listen to a lot of music and to say that my music is not influenced by the artists I listen to would be a lie. I just don’t intentionally scout out ideas from other artists as I think it’s important to remain true to yourself and make the music you want to make.

With your latest single, Hard To Breathe, can you describe its origins and evolution?
Hard to Breathe is one of those feel-good summer tracks that just makes you want to sing along while driving with the windows down. I wrote it about new love and all of those feelings that come with it – the butterflies, the first kiss, that moment when you think ‘life couldn’t get any better than this’. The song is reminiscent of that moment.

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How does this track differ from your debut single, Set Me On Fire?
Set Me on Fire and Hard To Breathe are written in totally different contexts. The first single is about hitting rock bottom and all those feelings that come with it while Hard To Breathe talks about new love and the excitement it brings.
The production of the tracks is also quite different and I think that is reflective of my love for so many genres of music. Set Me on Fire is more of a country-rock ballad while Hard to Breathe is a country pop anthem. I love both of them and am super proud of the tracks and what they mean to me.

Is there an EP or Album currently in development?
Yes there is. I am working hard to release my debut EP by the end of the year which will include both singles and a few other songs that people are yet to hear.

Do you have any shows planned?
I have a show at Tilligery RSL on the 26thof April and then after that we have locked in 3 shows during Hats Off Festival at Tamworth:
TAMWORTH SERVICES CLUB – Friday 12thJuly from 8pm
MANILLA SERVICES CLUB – Saturday July 13thfrom 8pm
TAMWORTH SERVICES CLUB – Sunday July 14thfrom 2pm

If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
I would probably have to say Jason Aldean. I love his music and would probably end up being that person that would ask him to perform for me constantly. I’d also say my mum because she would be great to tour with. She is so organised and keeps me on my toes and I need that, plus she would have a great time.

We all live busy lives and seem time poor. How do you find the balance between your everyday life and your musical one?
I am still trying to work this out. I don’t think any of us have the right answer, we just need to do what works best for each of us. For me, I spend my days working a full time job and then whatever spare time I do get, I’m working on music and everything else that comes with it. It means that my social life is non existent but music is my priority and it’s what I love to do so it means I sacrifice other things in order to make it work. I think if you love something enough and want to build a career out of it, you need to put in the hard yards to make it happen. I am from that working family, I was raised with the attitude that nothing comes easy and if you want something you need to work your butt off to get it.

What are your major goals or milestones for the future?
Primarily, I’d love to be a full time musician but it takes a lot of hard work to reach that point. For the time being I am taking it one step at a time and setting myself a number of shorter term goals in order to reach my ultimate long term goal. One of those short term goals is to release my 3rdsingle and then my debut EP to follow by the end of 2019.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – ‘Own The Night” – Lady Antebellum and ‘Night Train’ – Jason Aldean
Artist – Jason Aldean
Movie – Norbit
Place to visit – Any place rural and peaceful
Venue to play – Tamworth Country Music Festival
Food = Indian
Drink – Bourbon and Coke
Person in History – Hmm… I don’t have one
Tattoo –  (if you don’t have one, one you would get?) I don’t have a tattoo, but if I was to get one it would be reflective of music and creativity.

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Check out AARON JURD below
Website | Facebook  | Instagram

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AMNPLIFY – DB