If you ever watched the first season of reality song-writing competition Songland, you likely came across Jack Newsome. Well, since then, he’s gone earn to impress and win over both music fans and critics alike, writing hit songs for the likes of Meghan Trainor while honing his own skills which he showcases through every single he releases. His new track “Arms” is easily one of his best and PopWrapped caught up with Jack to find out the story behind the song, his thoughts on social media and what we can expect from him in the future.

At what age did you know or first realize you wanted to make music a career, and was there any particular band or artist that influenced you to pursue said path? 

I remember several moments where I knew music had to be a part of my life. I’m from New Jersey, so Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi definitely excited me. Then *NSYNC and Britney Spears made me fully addicted to pop music. And when Lady Gaga came out I had a much clearer vision of what I wanted to do.

What sets you apart from the many other acts around today?

I like to put on a show. Almost all artists who’ve inspired me danced on stage, played live instruments, and sang their faces off. And that’s exactly what I intend to do. 

You were featured on the first season of Songland and mentored by Shane McAnally – what impact did that appearance and his mentoring have in terms of your career?

It changed my life. Shane is not only the hardest working person I’ve ever met, he’s also the kindest. He didn’t have to do anything, but he’s given me so many incredible opportunities that I’m so thankful for. 

Is there a story to your new single “Arms?”

“Arms” was the first song I wrote with my new partner-in-crime Cambo. We started the song on Zoom and finished it at his studio. I wore my mask there and only took it off to lay the vocal in the booth. We’re living in really lonely times, so the lyric speaks for itself. 

How’d you come up with the concept for the video? 

The concept of being alone worked out really well for the video to “Arms”; we didn’t need any actors or extras. My creative director Louis Browne is a genius and found this gorgeous movie set in the desert. The concept was super vague which scared me at first. I like having everything planned to a T, but I think keeping it loose was the perfect move for the song and the vibe. 

Who or what most inspires your song-writing?

Everything. If I’m going through anything good or bad in my personal life, I’ll write about it. If I make up a situation between two people, I’ll write about that. I’ve found that writing about personal things can be faster, but it’s not the only way to write. Some songs become self-fulfilling prophecies that only make sense in my life months after they come out. 

You’ve written for Meghan Trainor and Grey among others, but which of the songs you’ve written for other artists are you most proud of and why? Is it easier to write songs for others than yourself?

I did a song with Jordy called “Is It Love?” and Time Magazine listed it as one of their favorite new releases. That was a huge “pinch me” moment because I co-wrote the song and produced the track myself. Jordy, JBACH and I wrote it at a camp exclusively for LGBTQIA+ songwriters which was also super sick.

I love collaborating so much. Writing for other artists can be easy, but that’s not always the case. I love having control but you have to let go of that when it’s not your project. It’s a strange and beautiful thing. 

Is there an EP or album in the works? 

There is an EP in the works and I cannot wait to share it.

What, in your mind, makes a song iconic and could you choose your favorite of all those released throughout history? What is it about that song that appeals or connects with you?

When I think of iconic songs I think of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt. Mike Posner calls these songs “Universal Laws” I think. They’re songs that are relatable to every person in the world. You might not have heard them said in that way specifically, but you know the feeling because you’ve felt it.

Artists, like so many of us, have had a difficult twelve months with tour and performance plans having to be cancelled. How did you keep yourself creative and busy? Now that there’s hope to get the world moving again, have you started thinking about what you’d like to do, both personally and professionally, in the coming months?

I’ve been pretty fortunate during this time. I’ve looked at it as extra time to organize my thoughts for the EP and start picturing what the live show will look like. I’d love to hit the road as soon as it’s safe. I think the first couple shows out of lockdown are going to be out of this world.

A lot of bands and artists kept connected to their fans via social media and livestreams – is that something you yourself engaged in and how do you feel about the likes of Twitter and Facebook on a more simple level? 

I think it’s such a great way to stay connected with fans. Seeing their reactions in real time is such a gift. It’s one of the biggest perks of being an artist in my 20’s during this time. It’s not like we get to see people in person, so if this is the closest we can get, it works for me. 

How do you feel about social media, personally and professionally and do you think it has perhaps too much power and control over society and an artists’ ability to reach an audience? Do you think it’s possible to be a successful artist today without it? 

It’s really hard. On a personal level, I feel like garbage if I’ve been on social media for longer than 5 minutes. And professionally it’s not much better. A lot of the social media platforms are not as democratic as they used to be. I know people with 100k followers who get less than 10 comments on a post. Just goes to show that this is the toughest time to be seen or heard. I’m still optimistic that the people who like my music will be fed this year. I just have to keep them engaged. 

Do you think the music industry – and the world – can indeed recover from the difficulty and hardship Covid has put upon it? What would you say can and needs to be done to ensure life returns to some semblance of normality?

It’s more about adapting than it is about recovering. I’m just glad the western world has been introduced to mask-wearing as a general practice; the eastern world has been doing it for a while. I feel bad for the younger generation. They had the full burden of the pandemic placed right on their shoulders: they lost their social privileges in schools and they STILL set the standard for mask-wearing. But I see parents and middle-aged people – largely white straight men – getting really lazy. COVID-19 won’t go away if your dad is going to Walmart with no mask on. We might need to wear masks at shows for a while, but at some point the virus is going to be just another virus we have to look out for. 

Finally then, with “Arms” out there, have you started thinking about future releases? Are there any projects or plans you can tease?

With “Arms” out now, all I can say is that the EP will make you dance. And I think that’s exactly what lots of people need this year. 

Check out the video for “Arms” below and for more information on Jack Newsome, visit his website, give his page a like on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.