How the Ups and Downs of the Pandemic Inspired Jackson Dollinger’s New Social Isolation EP
You may know actor Jackson Dollinger best as the young Max Reynolds on Disney Channel's Sydney to the Max, but he's also a talented singer-songwriter—and his brand new EP shows just how much he has to say.
It's called Social Isolation, featuring four brand new tracks written, recorded and produced by Jackson at home. The EP is out today, Jan. 19, which also happens to be Jackson's 14th birthday—and to celebrate, we got to ask Jackson all about the new music, and what it truly means to him. Click HERE to listen!
(Photo credit: Russ Scott)
Sweety High: How excited are you to be releasing your first EP?
Jackson Dollinger: I'm so excited! I can't wait for you guys to hear these tracks. I've been teasing them for a while and I'm so happy they are finally going to be out in the world to listen to and stream!
SH: What does the EP name Social Isolation mean to you? How much were these songs inspired by the pandemic and lockdown?
JD: These songs were very much inspired by lockdown. In fact, the EP is called Social Isolation because all of the songs on it were produced, written and recorded during quarantine in my home studio during this "social isolation" period.
SH: Is there a major theme running across the songs on the EP? If so, what is it?
JD: I would say all the songs somehow relate to my pandemic life. For example, the first song on the EP, "Golden Hour," is about not taking the little things in life for granted and really taking time to reflect on everything you have. Until lockdown, I wasn't slowing down and really taking time to stop and smell the flowers.
SH: Do you have a favorite track on the EP? If so, which one, and what's your favorite lyric from the track?
JD: Yes! My favorite track of the EP is "Moonlight," and my favorite lyric from the song is, "Don't wanna lose you to love you, that's wrong. I pour my heart out in tracks like this song." That is my favorite lyric of the track because I do pour my heart into my music.
(Photo credit: Russ Scott)
SH: Do you have any extra memorable moments from that recording process?
JD: My most memorable moment from making the EP was when I got the feature on "Moonlight" back from Kish. It was my first time ever getting a feature back from another artist and it came out amazing which made me even more excited.
SH: How has the pandemic changed the way you work, if at all? Has it been a challenge?
JD: The pandemic has not changed the way I make music. I have a home studio and I produce, write and record everything at home. I was really fortunate to have music and the tools to create it at home during the lockdown.
SH: Are there any artists that are particularly inspiring you during these unusual times?
JD: Yes! I'm very inspired by Iann Dior. I feel like he is really making the most of quarantine and coming out with some amazing projects
Love Jackson's show? Click HERE to find out everything you wanted to know about Jackson's Sydney to the Max costar, Ruth Righi.