Review Fix Exclusive: Jackpot Motel’s Samuel Cox Talks Influences And More

Review Fix chats with Jackpot Motel’s Samuel Cox, who discusses the band’s origin, influences, goals and more.

Review Fix: How did the project start?

Samuel Cox: Jackpot Motel is the rebirth of an unstoppable journey. Back in 2010, we were one of the busiest emerging bands in the country and in the midst of a monstrous nationwide tour. We could easily regard this period as the pinnacle of the Esteban odyssey; however, it was also what ultimately caused our demise. Long hours on the road, sleepless nights in vans and caravans and too many after parties to count inevitably took its toll on even the strongest of childhood bonds. The party stopped, and we called time-out.

But, like a gift from the heavens, an opportunity arose that none of us could have predicted. We met up in 2018 with our label The Animal Farm, England had just beaten Sweden in the World Cup and, on the banks of the River Thames, it was decided – Esteban’s reunion was confirmed.

What began as a jam, quickly formed the bedrock of a brand new and exciting second album. In spite of the years of separation, we were all amazed at how quickly muscle memory kicked in. The recording was agreed and over 8 winter days, a 16-track album was laid down with every ounce of determination that we all had clearly stored up for a long time.

Now a decade on, and whether you know Esteban’s story or not, anyone listening to the Jackpot Motel will be taken on the same voyage the four of us have been on during this decade hiatus. For anyone who missed the party back then, our Dirty Wrecked album is there as proof!

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Cox: Since the band is now split across the country, we demo a lot of ideas in GarageBand and share these via WhatsApp. It’s an unconventional way of working, but I suppose one that more of us are getting used to under the current climate. It allows for constant collaboration each time an idea is shared back and forth. We then take the ideas into a rehearsal room, usually over a weekend, locking ourselves away with plenty of coffee and jam it out, adding in the nuance and stylistic features.

Review Fix: What’s your standout song? How was it written?

Cox: Walking Man had us all feeling very proud, and it was written in a slightly different fashion to most of the other tracks. Liam had sent a demo of the guitar part in the late autumn of 2019 I think – it was the last batch to be recorded but to be truthful, he never slowed his creativity all the way through the making of the album. Amazing really and just goes to show what it meant to him to be playing again.

We were fast filling up the track list and were looking for certain songs to compliment the overall feel of the album. Walking Man became one of two that were recorded in the last session in February of 2020. The other was We Are One.

The lyrical concept came from a long train journey back home after the first studio session in November. The drama came about when I imagined how awful it would be to return home to find my wife had left me! I know that sounds like a terrible thing to write about, and believe me, it caused a real issue but we can laugh about it now and, for the record, I’m still happily married.

Steve tweaked the whole thing to match his vocal approach, he was absolutely alive with inspiration. I remember sitting next to him as he worked, I could almost hear his mind whirling like a storm in a teacup as he wrote. 

I have such a fond memory of Ricky during this recording too. Like, he’d achieved a lifetime goal. He’s a big Beatles fan and I think this track above the others stands out in that way – It’s one for the artists. He was thrilled to nail the vibe, I know he didn’t have much preparation time for this track as such, I seem to remember him just closing his eyes at one point and just letting instinct flow out and over the strings.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2020?

Cox: COVID has, for us, been a really productive period; we’ve doubled down on writing new material, so we’re heading back into the studio this year to record new material. Our goal is to simply maintain momentum and continue creating and working on our craft.

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

Cox: I would say we want it to make people get up and dance but also get them thinking of the world around us and be inspired by it. We are a conscious band, always have been, there are messages from all of us inside the tracks, that’s our gift to the listener, we try to show you how to look at life from a different perspective, a buena vista so to speak.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Cox: We’re chomping at the bit to take this new record live! However, like everyone we’ve put the shows on the back burner for now. Next year, we’ll be hopefully recording more and playing live again.