Family Reunion’s Jackie Carlson has spent the last year opening for other acts on tour, releasing a series of singles, and experimenting with her sound along the way. Tonight, the Chicago-suburbs native takes the stage at Schubas Tavern for her first official Chicago headlining show, supported by Eleeza Silva and Sports Boyfriend. I caught up with Jackie before the show to get her thoughts on performing, the music she’s been working on, and what to expect next. Read our conversation below:
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MDR: How does it feel doing your first headlining show in Chicago?
Jackie: I don’t really feel anything about it to be honest. I know that sounds weird, I don’t know. Maybe ‘cause it’s not happening like right now. I think I’ll feel it when I get to the venue. It’s weird to describe. I used to have really bad stage fright and be scared I was gonna f**k up, but now I’m more ready to do this stuff.
It’s gonna be nice ‘cause I haven’t played a lot of shows this year aside from opening for people. But it’s nice that people will be there to see me. I remember The Marias tweeted something like “every band needs the experience of opening for another band so they can appreciate headlining shows more”.
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MDR: Are you planning on playing any new music?
Jackie: We’re playing two new songs. I have two songs done and they are recorded, we just need to refine them. Once those are out, I’m gonna be working on an EP. I’ve been releasing so many singles one after another, and I feel like it’s gonna get boring if I keep doing that. So, I’m gonna release an EP early 2020. I feel like my sound has changed so much since my last EP, and I just want to add some extra context around everything.
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MDR: How would you say your sound has evolved since your last project?
Jackie: I’ve been writing so many different types of music, exploring genres to figure out what fits for me. Everything I’m writing right now has been like… weird. I don’t know how to put it; it’s like 90’s revival music. I’ve been listening to a lot of Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins lately. You’ll see at the show, and it will make a lot more sense. I am the closest I’ve ever been to finding my own sound, which is the goal right now. It’s 90’s influenced, but there’s a lot of other stuff in it as well.
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MDR: What things have inspired the songwriting in your new songs?
Jackie: I used to write about heartbreak a lot, but I’m trying to not have all my songs being about the same thing. I’ve been writing a lot lately just about my thought processes. Neither of the two songs I’m putting out are love songs. It’s not about one particular thing but more like a self-reflection, kind of like “19” and how that. It came from a whole day of me just thinking about my life.
https://soundcloud.com/family-reunion-19585444/nineteen1
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MDR: Who have you been collaborating with recently?
Jackie: I’ve been working with Eleeza, who’s opening for the show. I really like her. You should definitely check her out. As for other collaborations, I’m not currently collaborating with anyone. I’m just working with my friend Daniel at his studio on everything pretty much.
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Jackie plays at Schubas Tavern at 8 pm, doors 7:30. Tickets are still available here!