Singer Jack Tracy, who recently released the insanely catchy tune “Love Yah” is back with a moody blue-eyed soul number in “The Feels,” his brand-new track from his soon-to-be-released Love Yah EP. Jack explains that “The song is about a relationship that is being held together by the one thing that still works in it: the incredible sex.”
The song, which he wrote and produced, was inspired by his last relationship. He explains, “In my experience, I have come to realize that most people lie, constantly and with abandon. They lie to get what they want, or to get a hit of dopamine, and never really think about how they impact others. In romantic situations, I fall for it hard. So for me, sex becomes the most important barometer in a relationship. Words are cheap, but when sexually connected, you cannot lie to me. Under the sheets, you can always feel the truth.”
He goes on to add that, “The song’s title is something my ex would say to me when I was upset about something. ‘And how does that feel?’ he would ask. For a long time, I considered him to be introspective and mindful. Over time I realized he used therapeutic tactics as tools for emotional manipulation. Once I would bring up something that I was unhappy with, he'd pivot the conversation to question how I felt by it. He’d then show sympathy for the feeling but give no apology. We would then move on with no actual discussion or changes. It was a way for him to acknowledge my feelings but not have to engage in any reflection on why I felt that way because he was always beyond reproach.”
The accompanying music video reflects the passionate single, depicting Jack as he ventures deep inside of himself to discover why he remains in the toxic relationship. Jack says that “The video is assuredly the riskiest thing I've ever filmed but it was important to include the sex because for me, physical pleasures are one of the most important elements of a relationship.”
He goes on to say that, “Most people try to find something in their lives that helps them touch the divine. Religion, drugs, community service, alcohol…all these things that have us step outside ourselves and feel something. For me, that escapism is sex.”
“For a long time after my ex and I split, I was entirely lost and broken,” Jack admits today. “It is an experience that has forever changed how I look at love and how I interact with other humans in any capacity. It quite literally nearly took my life. But, going through it gave me this song.”
Get to know more about this introspective and talented singer and songwriter as Jack answers the Socialite Seven.
When did you know that you wanted to become a singer? And have there been any moments in which you regretted your decision (in the moment)?
Well, this feels like a read. LOL. I started singing in chorus in junior high school and eventually won the vocal award from my high school and even went to college for musical theater.
At the time it didn’t seem like I would be able to succeed beyond background chorus work and maybe a few cruise ships, which wasn’t really the dream, so I focused on academics and became a corporate lawyer. But as time went on it became clear to me that art was my passion and I couldn’t live a life without devoting a substantial portion of it to creating.
Becoming a recording artist came out of necessity as I needed music for my web series and the music licensing game was frustrating. So, I learned how to make my own music and eventually fell in love with the process to make my own albums.
Who has had the biggest influence on your music and why?
Janet Jackson, hands-down. Introspective lyrics, the Minneapolis funk and R&B sound that leans pop, and of course the choreography. She is an artist completely in control of the entire package she presents, which I admire the most from any artist, pun intended
Who (if anyone) would you love to collaborate with?
I’m actually in the process of re-mixing a few songs from the new EP to become duets with local NYC LGBTQ independent recording artists so I’m excited to begin working more within the community. I think we all suffer from a scarcity complex which makes us all competitive with each other and I would like to try to demolish that mindset.
What type of music or artist that you listen to frequently do you think your fans would be surprised to learn that you're a fan of?
Well, looking at me, I think you would be surprised to learn that my music taste is entirely 90s R&B and hip-hop. Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton, Aaliyah, Brandy, Monica, TLC, Missy Elliot… I tend to surprise people I date when I start sharing my music and am able to rap B-sides off of a Lil’ Kim album.
What are you hoping to achieve with your music?
I think with this project my music is starting to resonate with a fanbase the way that my web series History has done in the past, so I’m excited to continue to grow the fan base and get to a level where I can begin touring after the pandemic. I want to be able to travel and perform my songs live. I think what I can offer more than most other recording artist these days is an impressive live show.
What are three things you can’t live without?
Popcorn, music and my dog Max.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
A guy I was dating last year broke me out of my lawyer mindset when applied to producing. He told me that I was holding myself back from chasing bigger things because I thought I hadn’t developed the right kind of resume or took the right road. He told me a lawyer is a lawyer because they went to school and got a degree, but an executive producer is an executive producer because they said so. So, fake it till you make it kids.
Jack’s Tracy’s “The Feels” is being distributed independently and is available on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms. Its video will be available on Vimeo and YouTube.
Watch the slightly NSFW video for “Love Yah” from Jack Tracy
To know more about Jack’s work, visit https://www.jacktracy.lgbt and https://www.youtube.com/necessaryoutlet and follow him on Instagram.
