Review Fix Exclusive: Jerry Castle Talks ‘Brand New Hello’

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Jerry Castle, who lets us know all about the creative process behind his new album, “Brand New Hello.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Jerry Castle: I’ve always loved music and have been writing lyrics since I was 11 years old.  I didn’t actually get my first guitar until I was 20 years old but as soon as I got it, I knew that being a musician was what I wanted to do.  I’d take my guitar with me everywhere I went.  I was absolutely terrible but I was oblivious to this fact.  At right around the same time, some friends of mine had a cover band that did classic rock and alternative rock songs.  They didn’t really have a lead singer in this band so I started stopping by during rehearsals.  I’d just jump up and start singing without anyone inviting me.  The guitar player hated my voice and my general “buffoonery” but I was undeterred because I loved the feeling of having a band behind me so much.

They had person after person come in to audition but I was the only guy that stuck around.  Eventually they gave in and made me the lead singer of a band that became “The Stumble Biscuits”.  During this time, I started turning my lyrics into songs.  Within a year I was playing guitar in the band and we were doing a hand full of my originals during our shows.  Over two years, the originals were a catalyst for morphing us into a more jam-oriented band called “Toast”.  We started touring the Southeast during my senior year in college.  Once I graduated, we moved to Nashville, TN.  Except for a two year stint in Los Angeles, I’ve been in Nashville ever since.

Review Fix: What makes this album unique?

Castle: I come from an Americana/Country/Roots music background.  On the last album, “Not So Soft Landing”, I intentionally went down a more ethereal/spacey path.  I’m at a place with my music that I don’t want to do the same thing twice.  With that being said, on this album, I wanted to explore the idea of programming and writing pop songs with some sort of lyrical substance.  I feel like I accomplished that and the end result is a Southern Pop Rock album that has some depth.  It’s far from being an Americana album and it’s definitely not country.  This is a unique album in comparison to the previous 5 albums that I’ve recorded so that’s a win in my book.


Review Fix: What makes your brand of music special?

Castle: I don’t think it’s my place to decide if my music is special or not.  It’s my place to try to be authentic and unique but it’s the listeners place to decide if it’s special.  Hopefully it’s special to someone besides my kids but if not, I’m a narcissist, so I’ll just pretend like lots of people like it.  Jokes kids, just jokes.

Review Fix: How do you want your music to affect people?

Castle: On this album, it’s my hope that it makes them feel, think, and dig deeper into themselves.  If it can’t do that, hopefully it’s good background music while they’re getting drunk.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2018?

Castle: Broadly speaking, I’d like to take myself less seriously, have more fun, be kinder, more compassionate, less judgmental, and more open.  Creating music is so intertwined with the life that I’m living and I think that these things will not only make me a happier and better person but I think it will also make me a better artist.  I’ve wasted some time in my life and musical career trying to “trick the system” if you will.  I don’t want to waste anymore time.


Review Fix: What’s next?

Castle: The tour starts on the release date, June 22.  Right now I’m working on getting myself together to deal with road life.  Generally speaking, I usually last about 4 months on the road and I really want to make a focused effort to support this album for a full year.