Ushering in Some Kind of Jam's new era of Featured Artists, we're happy to present Remember Jones! For those unfamiliar, check out their blend of unique big band sound on a familiar tune below:
Through years of searching for a sound that was both authentic and suiting of his vocal stylings, Remember Jones has crafted a unique, larger-than-life sound that hinges on the artist's ability to inject heartfelt emotion and a showman's panache into the music he creates. While his vocal ability has built Remember Jones--the moniker for bring-down-the-house-soulman Anthony D'Amato--into the icon of Asbury Park, NJ's music scene he is today, don't be surprised to find him working just as comfortably with a 20-piece orchestra. Remember Jones has amassed quite the posse over his ascent, and he brings them with him on his next tour, ensuring an unforgettable family affair for people who like to be confused at shows as to whether they've attended a concert or a Gatsby-esque dance party.
I sat down with Remember to get a feel for him, his music, his next tour, and what he has his eyes on next!
So, first, tell me--who is Remember Jones?
(laughs) Well, I am. Of course I started as Anthony, for years I performed as myself and it wasn't much different than who Remember is, but there was another artist named Anthony D'Amato in the area, and it kind of pushed me to create this stage persona I could fully commit to and just be. That's who Remember Jones is.
And that persona--can you describe him?
Well, Remember Jones is just that, an urge for people to remember. In my sound...I've always wanted to create a memorable live experience through my music, in terms of leaving people with memories, sure, but also to tap into some sort of nostalgia. Remember Jones is about the old school feels. He wants you to hearken back to that sort of grand, big band sound, and he's the liaison between the band and the audience that takes you there.
Tell me about your band--what role do they play in Remember Jones?
It's sort of an ever changing rotation, but some of the players have been there since the days I was performing around NJ as just a vocalist. Maybe 6 or 7 of the 20 or so that'll be playing with me at the Stone Pony (on November 25th) have been playing with me since then. They're critical. I'm really part of an artist collection, and somehow we have been able to transform having fun and playing music into what we're doing now--something serious.
When did it strike you that it was more than "fun," that it was serious?
It goes back to our album, which was funded through indiegogo. We had all our supporters come out for the recording at a venue because we wanted them to be a part of it too, to show our gratitude, and we were ready to have a recording that was really raw and spontaneous--the way only a live show recording could be--but the final product kind of made us question that.
What changed, exactly?
Well, we were very particular about recording our album in that live setting. There was a reason we didn't do a studio album--it just doesn't capture the energy and fun that we like about ourselves, let alone what our fans come to see. We wanted that energy, that fun--we welcomed and even looked forward to the improvised nature of the live recording, where anything could've been thrown at us.
And did that end up working for the album?
Yes and no. The energy created was exactly what we needed. But we were sitting, listeing to it, editing it, and started to recognize how good it was. Like, not to toot our horns or anything, but better than we could've hoped. And to make it a cohesive album, to make it really work, we ended up having to edit out some of those quirkier moments, that were fun but kind of detracted from the flow, from what we thought people would want to hear on an album.
You can hear Remember Jones debut album, Ladies and Gentleman, Remember Jones, here
As for Remember Jones' upcoming tour, fans can expect the big band party experience they've come to crave from RJ but in the form of a reinterpretation of Amy Winehouse's seminal album
Back to Black, played in full with Remember Jones behind the wheel. Don't forget to stick around for an encore consisting of Remember Jones originals, sure to keep the party going until the very last note. If you can catch their show in Chicago you'll be lucky enough to get a whole set of Remember Jones originals (as they've already played their Back to Back to Black show to a
jam-packed Lincoln Hall).
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| Anthony D'Amato crushing it as Remember Jones |
We asked Remember a few more questions, for fun:
Do you like to Karaoke?
RJ: No.
Oh. Well, imagine you did--go to song?
I Believe in a Thing Called Love, by the Darkness.
That falsetto though. I'll bite. What albums are you listening to now?
808s & Heartbreaks--Kanye; Joanne--Lady Gaga, pretty much albums we may be working on to "reinterpret" in the future, so maybe look for some Kanye in the near future ;)
Favorite word?
Is that a thing? Um...wordsmith.
You lived in Chicago for 3 years, so for those midwest peeps--whats your favorite hangout?
Frontier in West Town--good foods. Also Cafe Central too. Food centered hangouts for sure haha.
In that case, what is your ideal sandwich?
Love a good Cubano or Ruben. So much potential with sandwiches.
How true. Okay, last question--if you had a dog, what would you name it?
Hmmmmm, I'm not sure, but it'd have a human name, definitely.
Tour Dates for Remember Jones are as followed:
Nov 25 --Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ) Remember Jones present back to BACK TO BLACK
Dec 2 --Lincoln Hall (Chicago, IL) Remember Jones w/ Brielle Von Hugel
Dec 3 --Embers Venue (Rensselaer, IN)) Remember Jones present back to BACK TO BLACK
Dec 5 --Exit/In (Nashville, TN) Remember Jones present back to BACK TO BLACK
Dec 7 --Headliners (Louisville, KY) Remember Jones present back to BACK TO BLACK
Dec 8 --Shank Hall (Milwaukee, WI) Remember Jones present back to BACK TO BLACK
