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Get to know Jackie Brown Jr. and their feel good new single, '‘Happy (you wanna be)’

17 June 2021 | 2:57 pm | Parry Tritsiniotis

We were lucky enough to shoot across a quick Jackie Brown Jr., discussing their wholesome energy and their plans for the future.

Last week, Sydney live favourites Jackie Brown Jr. released yet another feel good and extremely loveable tune, titled, ‘Happy (you wanna be)’. The band's made up of a range of versatile artists, a Sydney supergroup of sorts, consisting of members from Good Pash, DOBBY, and The Buoys. The single supports their upcoming tour, hitting venues across New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria. 

The single is aptly titled, with a range of sonic influences combining to create a feel a positive vibe fuelled four and a half minutes. It features a tri-instrument horn section, including trumpet, trombone, and saxophone combing with classic rhythm and guitar sections. Jam packed with soul, ‘Happy (you wanna be)’ encourages self love, reflection and puts butterflies in your stomach.

“Happy (you wanna be) is an imploration to yourself that you are enough and that you only need to look within yourself to figure it all out!” says frontwoman and saxophonist Madeleine Mallis. “I imagined the opening to feel like you were walking home down the street on a summer night, it’s 3am and you’ve been out with your friends and you’re lost in thought. The chorus just popped into my head one day and the opening verse was written under pressure because we were going into the studio the next day and I still hadn’t written any lyrics! Amazing what a deadline can do.”

We were lucky enough to shoot across a quick Q&A to their band, discussing their coming together, wholesome energy and their plans for the future.

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Who are you?

We are Maddy, Michael, Hilary, Gideon and Rhyan and we play together in JBJ!

How did the Jackie Brown Jr. project come to be?

We all met together studying music at UNSW and JBJ was born in the halls of the Webster corridor. I'd like to think we've come a long way since then and we gained Hilary along the way as well. Very different music from when we started, but still best buds hanging out.

What are we talking, vibes-wise?

We're talking extremely danceable, extremely singable indie rock/soul bops for your heart and soul. 

Tell us more about your new single?

Happy (you wanna be) is a heartfelt tune about knowing that who you are is just enough. We really love this one, it gives us all a warm feeling in our hearts. It's been super fun to take it around so far and we can't wait to play it for the rest of the tour dates we have.

What can we expect from you in the months ahead?

More music! More touring! More more more! We've started and we just can't stop.

Where can we hear more from you?

On tour! Catch us in Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne over the next few weeks and have a boog. You can also find us on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Facebook and Instagram mostly at @jackiebrownjr . 

Image Via April Josie.

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