Talking to one’s inner self is not something everyone does but most of us do it daily, and when Thunder Jackson sparks up a conversation with himself – he can sometimes be in disbelief. Not because he’s doing what he dreamt of, making music, but because he never imagined that it’d be impacting people around the world. That’s where our chat started, as we dug into his 2020 release and how that pushed him towards 2024’s ‘Hello Stranger,” due out everyone on October 25th — all of that and then some including working with Grammy-winners and more. 

Kendra: Back in 2020, you dropped your self-titled debut LP, and while the world was taking a break – it fared really well online. Did the positivity from that release help propel you forward when it came time to sit down and get started on what would eventually become ‘Hello Stranger?’

Thunder Jackson: Certainly, it was very reassuring that my art and songs were connecting so beautifully by masses across this world. If you would’ve told the boy in me 15 years ago that I would create albums that have helped give this modern world some sort of purpose, to create space in this crowded universe, I don’t know if I would believe you. But here we are, living the dream I used to dream on an infinite loop. 

Kendra: You noted that ‘Hello Stranger’ is about facing your true self after being lost. Sadly, this isn’t something some get the privilege of doing. For you, was there a specific moment you got to face your true self, or was it more like a journey? 

Thunder Jackson: I think as all self-reflections and realizations tend to be, it was quite a perilous journey and still continues to be. There were these moments I had looking at myself in the mirror, seeing a different face every day. Faces that I used to run away from; it was sort of like these scattered identities were desperately wanting to be seen and heard. When I sat down to write this album, I wrote from the perspective of these different feelings and persons.  I started to embrace these strangers slowly but surely and that embrace became more of a hello, rather than a goodbye. 

Kendra: You worked with a lot of talented people on this record from musicians like Ryland Blackinton and Grammy-winner Eric J Dubowsky. What sort of special sauce did the latter help add to the record that you feel wouldn’t have been there without him? 

Thunder Jackson: Any chance you get to be in a room or phone call with these kinds of caliber artists it is a bit of a pinch-me moment. From Eric J and Ryland to my producer and talented friend Taylor Johnson, I was set up for success. It was comforting to have this amazing team behind me helping and believing in my vision to its fullest potential. Eric J mixing this album has been nothing short of Divine Intervention. Since day one we have been on the same page, almost like the universe placed us in each other’s paths. I now consider him a friend for life. 

This album wouldn’t exist without the relentless and humbling help of others around me. Being able to work with such a great supporting cast has made me a better human and artist forever in time. 

Kendra: Another song on the record is “Spoonfed Desire.” I have to ask, with a career in music you must have some big desires, so I would love to know – what would your desires actually taste like? 

Thunder Jackson: There is this quote I always keep in the back of my head, it goes something along the lines “The desire to be seen Is the desire to exist” At the end of the day, I just want these stories, these songs to exist in this realm for as long as it can allow. I passionately desire for these stories to be seen, to be heard, with the hope that possibly it can help somebody somewhere. I desire to show the world the power of purpose, the power of existing, and the power of vulnerability. 

Kendra: The best thing about new albums is that you get to shake up your sets when you head out and play live. At what point in the writing and recording process do you know a song is going to be a permanent fixture on the setlist? 

Thunder Jackson: There is no better high, than the high of playing music live. I sort of wrote most of these songs with the idea of live performance in mind. It’s an incredibly interesting way of creating to shape and mold songs with that idea in mind. For this record “Hello Stranger” I basically locked myself in my small apartment in Los Angeles with only a mattress and a grand piano for a year and worked and studied relentlessly at perfecting the craft of songwriting and piano playing. I became obsessed with dynamics and creating moments, specifically with the moments of playing these songs for a crowd. It felt like I was writing a screenplay with these songs as the director. 

Kendra: Time for a side note – With us entering the fall months, I’d love for you to share a song that puts you in an Autumn state of mind…

Thunder Jackson: I was heavily influenced by Wilco’s “Yankee Foxtrot Hotel”, Big Thief, Carol King’s “Tapestry”, Harry Neilson, Todd Rundgren, Dijon, Richard Swift … just to name a few… But If I was to choose one song to bring in the season I’d say “So Far Away” by Carole King. That song always makes me feel something that’s unexplainable. It makes me yearn for stillness while also understanding I have to embrace the world’s constant change of seasons. It’s definitely a song I wish I wrote. 

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Hello Stranger’ out on October 25th – what can fans be on the lookout for as we inch closer to 2025?

Thunder Jackson: I hate to give expectations for it can be a thief of joy…but I think fans and new fans are in for quite the journey musically and lyrically. I really wanted to create an album that challenges normalcy, free from restraints, just honest and bold stories.  If I can help the world see the beauty of embracing our ever-changing identities, then I have done what I feel I set out to do. We are not alone, we are infinite in our curiosity, and may it never end.