In his “shadow theory,” Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung talks about that special place in all of us where the “good half” of our personality stores the “bad half.” For example, let’s say you want a shot of Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, but learned from an early age that it causes liver damage, the “good half,” according to Jung, will trap that urge in the shadow to protect itself from harm. Jung also states that if the shadow is filled beyond capacity than it will lash out against its oppressor and become a permanent part of his or her psyche; thus, causing a metamorphosis to ensue. When Jace Everett released his self-titled debut in 2005 the world met a “born again Texan” with a heart of gold. Singing about the joys of playing catch and fishing with your Pops on “Between A Father & A Son,” confronting pain and regret on “Half of My Mistakes,” and informing women that he is not like most men on “The Other Kind” are some of the colorful sentiments that characterize Jace Everett the album, but on his sophomore effort, 2009’s Red Revelations, we get a taste of Jace’s alter-ego. “I grew up listening to country as a kid,” Jace tells UnRated NYC Click Here For Photo Gallery.
“70’s “Outlaw Country” stuff like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson.” “Outlaw Country,” a phrase coined by Waylon Jennings on his 1972 hit “Ladies Love Outlaws,” became synonymous long hair, denim jeans, and hippy values – a complete contrast to the clean cut nudie-suit style popular among Nashville musicians at the time. Jace, having moved to Texas with his family at an early age was dead smack in the middle of this revolution, and because his parents were religious Jace’s musical outlet became Church. Jace Everett the album represents the morals and values he was taught at a young age, but it was missing something, and that loss hurt album sales. “For people who like cool music, it’s a really square record,” Jace explains. “But, for the people who like square music, it was a little too cool.” The missing ingredient was that badass honky tonk sound he revered as a child, and on Red Revelations he goes from choir boy to outlaw. One company to pick up on Jace’s new found bluesy edge was HBO, where Jace’s “Bad Things” has become the opening theme to the network’s hit television series True Blood. Although “Bad Things” is the song that took off, Red Revelations is filled with heavy music that grabs at the soul with unbelievable precision.
“Burn For You,” is a riveting song that emphasizes how hot the feeling can be when two people are madly in love. “I wrote ‘Burn For You’ with my wife, Stephanie,” Jace explains. “Most of the stuff we write together tends to have some kind of kinetic sexual energy to it.” Other stand-out songs include the inspiring “More to Life (C’mon C’mon),” which has a great piano solo, “The Good Life,” an upbeat summer jam, and “Damned If I Do,” a down tempo track that is both sonically and spiritually lush. It is a bit strange to think that Jace Everett’s musical career went from him singing in Church as a kid to now writing music that would work well as a biker gang soundtrack. The reason it works so well is because it’s Jace’s real sound. Not the sound he thinks might sell, but the sound he can’t help but create. Despite his admiration and respect for “Outlaw Country” Jace’s “good half” probably pushed the urge to write that kind of music deep into his shadow, but somewhere between Jace Everett and Red Revelations a major breakthrough occurred, and now his beverage of choice is Jameson’s Irish Whiskey.
All the photos on this gallery were taken at New York City’s Blender Theater in September of 2009. Since this show Jace has been touring the world, spreading his infectious blend of Outlaw Rock and Rhythmic Poetry. Jace has everything you’d want from a rockstar: good looks, great attitude, and amazing stage presence. All that remains is the superego – but for some reason I don’t think that complex exists in his DNA. Keep up the great work Jace!
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