Who are you and what do you do:
My name is Jay McCarrol, and I make music. I mostly write dark and moody songs on the piano, but I do other things too. Scoring music for Film/TV, some music theatre, and touring in bands – currently “Hayden” and “Jason Collett”.
Current obsessions:
Bejeweled on every subway ride, every poo.
A song or a record that will always put you in a good mood, without fail:
Supertramp – Breakfast in America. Takes me back to my days partying in Boston. Many a nights were capped with the needle scratching the end of that record.
Tell us about an album or artist you think is really under-appreciated, and why they are deserving of more praise:
Jon Brion is a name many people know, but surprisingly many people don’t. He’s living my dream life. Lives in LA writing quirky/dark/haunting film scores for reputable directors, and playing every Friday night at “Largo” – a piano cabaret bar I’ve yet to visit. His influence is recognized among artists, but his name deserves to be heard more still.
Most played track on your iTunes:
Impregnable Question – Dirty Projectors.
Most cherished musical object:
Can’t think of one… I’ve had this egg shaker since I was 16. Still sits on my desk. I suppose there’s some sentimental value in it. I never use it.
Proudest moment:
When I was 18, I remember the only way I was going to be able to attend Berklee College of Music was on scholarship. The first year I applied, I was rejected because I couldn’t read a note of music. My mom set me up with this retired wise old jazz cat. He was a short black man who made an exception taking me on as a student. I had to audition for him. He liked me right away – said I had the “touch”. For 1 year, every week I’d visit him for a lesson, and he was just awesome. It was like the year went by in a montage – he’d talk to me at length about jazz legends, about the dynamics of striking the keys, about hypnotism, and he’d pace around me while I was learning “Moonlight Sonata”. He’d say “Eaaassssy…..Slowly now……..” It was an amazing experience. For a second time I auditioned for Berklee, and got to call him and tell him I got the scholarship. I was happy to thank him, and he was so happy and proud for me. He died shortly after. I’m proud to have experienced his wisdom and guidance, and I can only hope to offer the same gift to a young artist when I’m on my way out.
Most vulnerable moment:
Smoking grass and hitting the stage can be a trip I’ll say that…
Singing a song with lyrics about somebody in the audience.
If you could score a film for anyone, who would it be any why:
I’d like to score a film for a first time director. Hopefully one with an insane vision (and budget) and who’d give me full musical control.
Your favourite use of a song in a film:
Gimme Shelter is used a lot – I love it.
Favourite venue to play in and why:
Doesn’t happen so much anymore but the Magpie had a dank ol corner with a piano for a couple summers that was commandeered often by some good pals. Good times.
Dream venue to play in and why:
Massey Hall. To hit it big in my home town.
First band t-shirt you ever purchased from a merch table:
Stone Temple Pilots!
Band you’d leave your bandmates for:
If for some reason David Longsteth of Dirty Projectors wanted to collaborate I’d drop everything. I’ve been really into that band.
Album you want to expose your kin to whilst in the womb:
What album is McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy” off of?
If for some reason you lost the ability to make and play music, what would fill that gap:
That would mean I’m a total vegetable. Big gap to fill. Hopefully virtual reality is an option. And I’d make music in there.
What was your last dream about:
I have a reoccurring dream about being in one of those cliché groups of survivors in a world overrun with zombies. Scary stuff happens, but I don’t get scared – it plays out like an exciting TV show. Yeah, like the Walking Dead. I also recently had a dream about being at a dinner party where this one guy was telling a story about something that happened to him. And in this reality, his story was so similar to something that happened to me, and I kept saying things like, “Dude! Same!” and “You’re kidding, that happened to ME TOO!” until finally he looks at me and says, “Hey man, stop interrupting me” and I woke up. But I hadn’t realized I was being rude and interrupting him until after I woke up. So it’s like he reminded me I was being rude, but he’s just me. Weird eh? Brains?
Watch Jay perform “Jimmy Song” and “Mistaken” late one night at his apartment with some friends and some wine.
