#006: Jackie mere wants more
📸 by Amanda Nilsson
At only 10 years of age, Jackie Mere was standing in the streets of Gothenburg with a guitar, singing songs by Veronica Maggio. Now, at 22, Jackie is opening shows for her. In november, her critically acclaimed debut album “Everything’s Conditional” was released. Jackie Mere’s music has people talking about her as “the voice of a new generation” and she has undoubtedly come a long way. But if you ask her, she’s just getting started.
I was at your release party but unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to say hi. What was that night like for you?
Well thanks for coming! The night was incredible, I was just constantly confused. My album was being released the next day and I just couldn’t take it all in, it was like my brain wasn’t functioning. But I had crazy fun. And got super drunk haha.
Well, to have fun and get drunk are perhaps the two most important things to do at a release party. What’s the response for your first album been like?
I’ve gotten some really good reviews! What’s that guy’s name, Jan Gradvall, he gave me a 4 out of 5. And I’ve gotten some more positive reviews also. So it feels great!
Jackie Mere performing her hit song “It ain’t me”.
I’m happy for you! By the way, how did you meet Andreas? (Söderlund a.k.a. HYENA, editor’s note)
There was this meeting in 2018 at Sony, my agency. I was choosing between different producers and I listened to Andreas’ stuff and loved it. So we started working together and we really hit it off in a musical way, as well as on a personal level.
You used to live in Biskopsgården in Gothenburg. When you read about that area it sounds like quite a … problematic place. What was it like being a child there?
It was mixed, in a way. I went to school in Biskopsgården and grew up there, which was nice because there were lots of people who looked like me. When I was very young the economic aspect wasn’t a thing yet. But when I started in musical class in 6:th grade in the inner city, I really noticed how big of a difference there was between that place and where I grew up.
Yeah I can imagine!
For instance, when I was out late my mom or step dad would always come meet me. I never went home alone. So yeah, a lot of bad things have happened in Biskopsgården, there’s no way around it. But at the same time, you don’t get any of the culture and the great mentality from that place in the news articles. The media focus on the shootings and the gang stuff. But there’s so much talent and nice people there too.
You were a street musician when you were younger. How did that come about?
I’d say it was from me not having a problem trying new stuff. So when I started to learn how to play the guitar, I just went outside and started singing. I did that for a couple of years, which was wildly entertaining. The adrenaline when someone put a couple of coins in my cup was crazy. My family lived on subsistence level so we weren’t well off in any way, but I mainly played because I enjoyed it, not to make money. That being said, it was nice to be able to buy tickets to the movie theater or a gift for my sister's son once in a while!
When you performed in the streets, what songs did you play?
I vividly remember playing Justin Bieber’s “Baby”, but I did a lot of Swedish Artists too, like Veronica Maggio. Oh and I played “Happy Together” by The Turtles.
Do you feel like being a street musician has shaped you in any way?
I think it has taught me to just let things happen and to not get bothered. In the streets there are lots of things going on all the time and I got used to playing through it all. So now when I play live I don’t lose focus very easily. I do that when I talk, but when I perform I’m very good at staying in the moment and in the song.
I’m curious about the title of your album – “Everything’s Conditional”.
Well, the title track is called “Running For My Life” and it’s about setting boundaries and me wishing I had learned to set boundaries earlier on in life. To love someone unconditionally can be dangerous. And the fact that there’s this general idea that if you have chosen a partner or a friend, then you need to stick to them and love them unconditionally and sort of forget your own boundaries. I think it’s important to set boundaries in all of your relationships.
You’re in a situation now that a lot of people are jealous of, being a recording artist, playing live, and so on. What’s it like for you right now?
It’s so hard to grasp. I’m so grateful but at the same time I’ve only just begun haha. Everything’s happening so quickly after I released my first single last year. When I opened up for Veronica Maggio I was really nervous but it wasn’t until I watched her play that same night that I broke down and started crying because that made the whole thing so real, if you know what I mean.
I think I do. So does it feel unreal?
I’m so happy and excited but it’s hard to take in. This is all I ever really wanted to do.
I’m guessing you dreamt of this when you were younger. Does being an artist feel like you thought it would?
I didn’t know what it was like until I started living through it, but every part of it is better than what I expected. I love every single thing about it.
Speaking of dreams, you’re taking off in Sweden right now, but do you have any thoughts on a global career?
Definitely, I have lots of dreams, which is scary because they are so big. I really love playing live and becoming better and better at that. To do that together with a crowd feels magical.
What is it about performing live that you love?
It’s about me getting to express my emotions. The nervousness before a show and planning what I’m gonna say between songs. And then the adrenaline afterwards. it’s the whole thing.
So your album has just been released, have you started working on new stuff yet?
Yeah, we’re writing right now and we already have a bunch of new songs ready. I remember when we started writing again after this album was done. It was like, “how the hell do you do it, I’m not gonna be able to make another song”. But now we’re at it again. And it’s insanely fun!
