Jack Panther Ski Lift 001 Interview

A glistening fusion of silken noir and fresh candor, Auckland based queer pop artist Jack Panther returns with a lush new single SKI LIFT 001. Flowing with alt pop flavours and sharp vulnerability, SKI LIFT 001 is also accompanied by a bold visualiser, contrasting the heart-rending lyrics and melodics as Jack appears laying on the floor slowly bleeding out. SKI LIFT 001 also marks a peek into Jack's impending new EP why don't you come over?.
 
SKI LIFT 001 welds candid lyricism with a fresh-yet-moody sonic aesthetic, with alt pop whimsy coaxing you deeper and deeper into Jack's intimate world via this schematic ballad. Inspired by alt-pop royalty like Joji, Troye Sivan, FKA Twigs and King Princess, SKI LIFT 001 also hints at the intimate wooze of James Blake amid sparse guitars and softly burgeoning soundscapes. Conjured in a mere six hours and produced and mixed by Harry Charles, the track effortlessly captures the sudden and searing hit of nostalgia that can strike in the blink of an eye. Of the significant personal themes underpinning SKI LIFT 001, Jack says, "Last winter I went skiing for the first time since going with my ex-boyfriend, and so many bittersweet memories came flooding back to me. I remember having an epiphany while skiing that I took so many moments with him forgranted. It's a feeling that I think resonates with a lot of people - nostalgia can hit you so hard and so quickly. Writing this song was so cathartic for me, I had a lot of feelings towards my ex and I think in a way I wrote it to acknowledge these feelings and try to move on."
 
The visualiser for SKI LIFT 001 starkly contrasts the raw elegance of the track, with Jack slowly revealed to be bleeding out on the floor from an injury caused by a ski pole. With Jack's performance emphasising the single's stirring themes in bold and innovative fashion, the concept for the visualiser came to Jack in a dream, causing a sudden late night text to the clip's director Devan Narsai. Of the video's origins, Jack says, "Devan and I were brainstorming concepts for a while. One night I fell asleep and awoke again at 11:30pm. In my delirious, dream-like state I came up with this crazy, daring concept of bleeding out on a floor. Immediately I texted Devan who happened to still be awake at the time and texted back that he loved it. When filming it I was just so in awe that Devan and I made this unique, wild concept come to life."
 

Joining previously released singles If I Was and Feels Right that dropped late last year, SKI LIFT 001 is yet another enticing peek into Jack's forthcoming new EP why don't you come over?. A culmination of harnessing the ups and downs of being in your early 20s alongside Jack's ongoing creative evolutuion, this sophomore EP celebrates healthy lashings of personal narratives, edgy pop and staggering empowerment as Jack sanguinely steps forward into a new and emboldened chapter. Speaking on the origins of his new EP, Jack says, "It showcases such a different side to me, one that feels kind of badass. Throughout the process of writing the project I was listening to such confident, self-assured music and it rubbed shoulders with me, I guess. For the first time I feel empowered by my own music and I think that's why I feel so connected to it. I was in the process of moving cities at the time. With so many changes, everything felt like both the world was opening up, yet crashing down on me. In that time I was so forced to look inward, discover more about myself, my identity and the queer history of people that fought for my right to have a voice. That's where this project stemmed from, I had so much to say to the people around me and the people before me."
 
Following on from his debut EP this dream i had released back in 2020, 2022 promises to be the most explosive year for Jack so far, not just via his stunning new EP on the horizon, but also with plans to focus on his live band amid some upcoming writing sessions in Australia and the UK.  

Interview with Jack Panther

Question: How would you describe your music?

Jack Panther: In all honesty I think it's quite project dependent and that's something I'm really stoked about with the work I make - I try to make a world around the music I make.

I find myself leaning more and more towards alternative/indie pop sound and I think that's a lane I will always loosely fit myself in. I would say I also love sadder sounding music, meaning lyrics and melodies which I think can fit into my music too.


Question: What inspired your new song 'SKI LIFT 001'?

Jack Panther: Last winter I went skiing for the first time since going with my ex-boyfriend and so many bittersweet memories came flooding back to me. I remember having an epiphany while skiing that I took so many moments with him for granted. It's a feeling that I think resonates with a lot of people - nostalgia can hit you so hard and so quickly.

Writing this song was so cathartic to me, I had a lot of feelings towards my ex and I think in a way I wrote it to acknowledge these feelings and try to move on.

We wrote it in 6 hours, the song fell into place so quickly. Collaborators Harry and Sophie just brought out such a vulnerable side to me.


Question: Can you tell us about your upcoming EP?

Jack Panther: My sophomore EP 'why don't you come over?' felt like such a new turning point for me. It showcases such a different side of myself, one that feels kind of badass. Throughout the process of writing the project I was listening to such confident, self-assured music and it rubbed shoulders with me I guess. For the first time I feel empowered by my own music and I think that's why I feel so connected to it.

I was also moving cities at the time. With so many changes everything felt like both the world was opening up, yet crashing down on me. In that time I was so forced to look inward, discover more about myself, my identity and the queer history of people that fought for my right to have a voice. That's where this project stemmed from, I had so much to say to the people around me and the people before me.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Jack Panther: I hope a variety of messages, self-confidence was big for me in making this project and I hope that is the same for the listeners. I hope people can feel more in touch with their emotions too, allowing themselves to feel what they need to feel.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Jack Panther: I love recording because I find it the most free flowing, creative space I can be in. Don't get me wrong it can be tiring and long but also the excitement often outweighs that!


Question: Can we expect any upcoming shows?

Jack Panther: Unfortunately in New Zealand it's been a really challenging time to play shows, so many uncertainties around covid. In February I was supposed to do a 5 show tour of NZ which was cancelled just a few weeks before.

There will be shows coming just figuring out when and I can't wait for that day!


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Jack Panther: A lot of my writing surrounds itself around things that are left unsaid, things I've often wanted to communicate but never had the chance to. I do find it with healing writing about these sorts of things, it makes me find a way to move on.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Jack Panther: I've been loving Remi Wolf's album Juno, I've been listening to that for like 8 months straight and I'm very excited for King Princess' new album.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Jack Panther: I wouldn't say there was ever one defining moment, everything sort of just went that way for me. I worked so hard writing and creating, I was kind of obsessed with it. I would always listen to music as a teenager, day and night.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Jack Panther: I think Omar Apollo and I would lowkey make such a banger, maybe one day?


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Jack Panther: Of course, I was very aware that this industry can be very toxic and also very cut-throat and challenging. Put it this way, I always heard of more horror stories than good ones. I think in that respect I am very cautious of who I work with and always will be.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Jack Panther: I also work as a barista in a cute little cafe 4 days a week. Most days off I'll be writing, recording and working on other aspects of music. I do try and fit in a coffee at least two times a day and recently joined a queer touch rugby team which has been so much fun! I try and make lots of time for my dear friends too.


Question: What advice do you have for aspiring songwriters or artists?

Jack Panther: Don't be afraid to ask for advice or help, you'd be surprised about how lovely and friendly people are in the industry. It's just about finding the good eggs!


Question: What's next, for you?

Jack Panther: I'm planning a writing trip to Melbourne in 6 weeks, I can't wait to be there and visit everyone in Melbourne! Then in Sept-Oct I'll be in the UK doing another writing trip there. It will be so much fun!


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

Jack Panther: Instagram 
Facebook 
Website 
TikTok 


Interview by Gwen van Montfort