Name: Jacob Brodovsky
Nationality: Canadian
Occupation: Singer, songwriter
Current release: Jacob Brodovsky's new album Tell the Kids we Tried is out via Make My Day.  

If you enjoyed this Jacob Brodovsky interview and would like to stay up to date with his music, visit his official homepage. He is also on bandcamp, and Facebook.



When was the first time you noticed you were drawn to darker themes and moods in music, literature or the movies?

I think I’ve always been.

I think generally speaking songs that speak to darker themes or feelings of sadness or anger or regret have always been songs that I’ve felt most connected to.

“Darkness” is, of course, not strictly speaking a term related to sound. What constitutes darkness to you, especially in instrumental terms?

I like lots of “vibe.”

I think it means minor chords, more space, ambience, allowing instruments to decay and modulate naturally.

Does your interest in darker musical themes extend into extra-musical fields such as fashion, or politics?

Not really, I mean I’m definitely cynical when it comes to politics, but I don’t know if that has to do with my “interest” as much as it has to do with my observations haha.

What were some of the first performances or releases when you became active in exploring truly dark places in your music yourself?

I’m not sure to be honest.

My first record I love you and I’m sorry definitely explores those themes. Particularly songs like me and my mental health and get so mad.



I have had a hard time explaining that listening to death metal calms me down. When you're performing a piece with a darker energy, does it tend to fill you with the same energy or feeling – or are there “paradoxical” effects?

Well I certainly don’t feel calmed by death metal, ha!

I think it’s always cathartic to express yourself, however you may be feeling.

Tell me, if applicable, about the concrete lyrical themes that you felt drawn to for your current release.

This record I spend a lot of time thinking about and talking about fatherhood, raising kids amidst a world I am quite sure is ending reasonably soon, and how to cope with it all.

When it comes to exploring darker themes, what's your approach to writing lyrics? What makes lyrics good in this regard?   

I think it’s important to be honest with yourself and not try to embellish too much or make yourself out to be someone you’re not.

Tell me about the creative process for Tell the Kids we Tried, please.

This record came together quite quickly.

Basically I just assembled a band and we sat in a room for 6 days and arranged and recorded all the songs to an 8 track tape machine.

How did you realise your goals in terms of the production, including effects for your current release?  

I left a lot of that stuff to Gavin and James (MOONRIIVR) who produced the record.

I think on this album I did a lot less second guessing and just leaned into everyone else’s instincts.

Sharing music on stage can change the way it is experienced, both for musicians the listeners. Can you talk about this a bit, especially in the light of darker themes?   

It’s quite cathartic to play these songs live.

It’s a little tricky to find ways to frame the songs in a way that doesn’t entirely suck the air out of the room and depress the hell out of everyone. But it’s been fun to find ways of framing the songs in ways that doesn’t kill the momentum of the show.