Jackson Cage with Mark Dunn
"It's just the love of music we do. It's the Americana, the stuff we love..."

Gigging Northern Ireland spent some time with country-rockers and Amazon chart-toppers, Jackson Cage before they were due up on stage for the BIG GIG 4. Talking with the guys, and gal, we discussed upcoming festivals, why they are so darn good (it's Declan's hat), future plans and who they would love to play a gig with!
How's this year been for you so far?

Keith: Not bad actually. The fact that the gigs we're getting now are more high profile - this is the third or fourth time we've played Spring and Airbrake, we did the Live at the Limelight show...

How was that show for you? Your first TV appearance too...

Keith: On the night that we did it, it was a real good night, real good craic. But I think a lot of people thought it was a let-down when it did air but it was good exposure for us as we got three wee mini videos out of it [laughs].
Tom: Keith never says anything, what's this for?! [laughs] This is great!

You're doing some festivals too. How are you feeling about those?

Edelle: Very excited!

Some in Derry and Newtownards, I believe...

Marty: And Tall Ships, that'll be good!
Keith: Tall Ships, 15th August, Ards Guitar Festival, 3rd October (Saturday night in the Ivy Bar)...
Marty: Chillifest as well.

Well, in my opinion, you're one of the best bands in the country right now so how does that feel?

Edelle: Very flattered.
Marty: I think you're the only person that thinks that [laughs].
Tom: My mum thinks that too! [laughs]

What do you think you've been doing right over those two years?

Keith: Well I think because it's different...
Declan: Well it's because I'm in the band, you know, obviously! [laughs]
Marty: It's just the love of music we do. It's the Americana, the stuff we love. There's very few bands here that will play that sort of stuff. Declan: We take ourselves very seriously...[laughs]
Edelle: I think it makes a difference that we just have a ball. We just love playing together. We always have a really good time - even at practice.

Your album's done really well. How did you feel about that? Especially going to the top of the Amazon chart too.

Marty: There you go, Shay. Our marketing manager...[laughs].
Shay: We put a lot of effort into it. Put a marketing budget aside...[group laughs collectively]. No, we did a bit of self-promotion and it resulted in that. It just means you can do it on your own if you've got the money, but if you run out of money, that's it, you know.
Keith: There's only so much promotion you can do yourself. The fact that we did sell quite a few in America was quite a shock to everybody.

How does it feel having fans in America? Knowing that there's people across the world loving the music you make?

Shay: It's just the burning of the CDs in Philadelphia - my cousin works in a bar and he's been having requests for CDs.
Declan: We've got a gig in Philadelphia when we get off our asses and get over there.

If you could support one band/artist, who would it be?

JC: [collectively] Neil Young, yeah definitely.

How do you feel about the Northern Irish music scene?

Tom: It's like marmalade and jam. [group bursts out laughing]

Do you think it's a good time to be playing in Northern Ireland?

Declan: Oh yeah, it definitely is.
Edelle: Ten years ago, there was nothing- well expectation-wise, it was very low and they weren't very many venues whereas now you can go out and hear live music and have a choice.
Declan: There's a gig nearly every night of the week.
Edelle: Which is fantastic - it's really vibrant.

What does the future hold for Jackson Cage?

Keith: Apart from the good few gigs we've got coming up, we need to expand. We've got a gig in Derry and we need to get down to Dublin as well. We need to get away - spread the wings.
Marty: We've got some new stuff so we have got to get back in and do some recor

Jackson Cage
W/ Dirty Stevie and Louisiana Joyride
Spring and Airbrake, Belfast - 24/7/2009

If anyone was talking with me the past week, I'm certain you will have heard me say something about Jackson Cage - what a unique act that I've loved ever since I've heard them. When I discovered they were playing THE BIG GIG 4, one of the gig nights I always look forward to, I was so excited. With a line-up that included Louisiana Joyride, a two-piece but with the fantastic addition of a drummer, and Dirty Stevie, with their marvellous return to the stage, it was destined to be a night I remembered for a long time - it certainly didn't disappoint me.

I was in as soon as doors opened (eager, I know) and I was keen to size up the crowd as they walked in. One thing I did notice, compared to the last BIG GIG, it seemed the crowd flocked in right from the start to witness the lovely Louisiana Joyride. There was something in the air right from the start and the music that blessed the stage at the start of the night was nothing short of brilliant. Louisiana Joyride's nee d to have a good time was well appreciated by the crowd, and the flock of Jackson Cage members who were dancing along in their numbers, who went into rapturous applause every time they finished a song. Their highly enjoyable set, including the absolutely astounding 'Kerb Sittin' Blues' which, singer Orla Lynch, clearly enjoyed and great song that is 'Bitch', impressed me to the point where I sitting gobsmacked by the talent that blessed the stage so early in the night. If you haven't heard them, or seen them live, you better check them out online and then get to one of their gigs. Absolutely loved it!

Some thought it was the end of the world - but it was only the furious return of Dirty Stevie who absolutely exploded onto the stage straight into a song that contained lyrics like 'Elvis Presley's dead, John Lennon's dead, Michael Jackson's dead...' - controversial, maybe, but holy crap. It was the first time I've seen Dirty Stevie and with an energetic frontman who goes by the name 'Smitty', it was without doubt the best performance I've seen in a while. With a stage presence like that on stage, music doesn't really matter, but don't worry, they can back things up with that. Guitarist, Ryan, bassist, who goes by the name of 'Bum' (who makes up these nicknames?!) and drummer 'Grizz', all had their part to play with music that could definitely put them up there among the best in the UK. Furious, passionate and electric, Dirty Stevie blasted through a fantastic set, even with a song dedicated to GTA fans, and delivered a seamless performance. It was the first time I've seen Dirty Stevie - but I'm damn sure it won't be my last.

Now, having talked with Jackson Cage before the gig, it was finally time for Northern Ireland's Americana country-rockers Jackson Cage to take to the stage. Suited and booted, styled with flowery shirts and cowboy hats, they drifted onto the stage and straight into the ballad that is 'White Line'. Despite having not that much room to manoeuvre around stage, after all they do have seven members, the chemistry between them was electric. The passion behind the performance and the creativity that seems to bless them in vast amounts enables them to deliver such great music whilst giving the crowd something to shout about - I should also mention that the floor was flooded with dancers (including the drunk ones - you always get them!) who were having a fantastic time! 'A Hard Night (In The Kitchen)', one of my personal favourites alongside the fantastic 'Sun River' (which they didn't play!), was a crowd favourite as well as the great 'Samaritan Street' but the crowd also witnessed the hilarious story of the mice that are invading singer Declan Doherty's house which he is trying to get rid of, one-by-one, and dedicated 'On My Way' to the poor mice that are inevitably going to see their end in the coming days. Jackson Cage, as well as the other bands

Friday seen us back in the studio laying down the rhythm tracks for four new songs. After 9 long and tiring hours we have the main parts for,
Lay with me tonight,
Help me mamma,
On my way &
A bitter rose.

The results are already sounding awesome and we are looking forward to getting back in there and getting them done.