“The first time I held and strummed the guitar I was hooked,” says singer songwriter, Jade Jackson, reflecting on how she got her start in music. “I taught myself how to play from a guitar poster hanging on my bedroom wall and my previous knowledge in piano theory. Once I could transition between the first few chords I learned, Em, G and eventually D, I began humming melody. In school, I fell in love with words and would write poems and stories all the time. Then after I discovered melody, I started writing songs by simply combining both passions.”

From there, Jackson found bluegrass at the age fourteen, learning the intricate finger picked playing style. She then became a member of West Coast Songwriters, and despite being “intimidated by the wide age gap between myself and the other contestants,” she entered their ‘Best Songwriter’ competition. “I played a few original songs in front of the audience and a panel of judges and won for both Best Song and Best Performance of the evening. I was then selected as one of three winners in different parts of the county and we competed again months later. I wasn’t expecting to win and I’ll never forget how much that meant to me or the confidence it gave me to further pursue my career in music.”

Jackson, who hails from the small town of Santa Margherita, CA, admits that receiving that award helped propelled the journey she is on today, leading to larger audiences and added determination. “When I was sixteen I got my first taste of playing in front of a large audience opening for The Charlie Daniels Band at a festival close to my hometown,” she continues. “The rush I got from sharing songs I’d mostly been playing to myself in my bedroom with that many people felt like home. And I knew then that’s what I wanted to do. From there on I tailored my life around my music and performed locally for over a decade until I got the opportunity to work with Mike Ness.”

The songs that were born from the passion of Jackson are real, honest, and heartfelt compositions, told in a relatable storytelling manner like the country singers of old. But there is more to Jackson than just a country singer. Jackson’s influence is rooted in the outlaw side of country; Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, etc. It is the side of country music that shares a common bond with punk rock.

“They both have a heaviness,” says Jackson, getting into the comparison between country music and punk. “Even though sometimes compositionally simple, the content within the boundaries of the songs are often weighted with sadness, sorrow, hurt, and hardships that feel true and real. As a fan of sad songs, I subconsciously gravitate towards early country and punk artists like The Smiths, The Gun Club, and George Jones.”

Jackson makes a very good point. The best music always comes from the darker side of life, even if it is shrouded in upbeat chords or melodic hooks. “I’ve always been a sucker for sad songs that make me burn inside,” she says, expanding on her attraction to country and punk. “My dad’s record collection was mainly early country and punk artists, when I was a baby he and my mom would rock me to sleep to bands like The Dammed and Driving ‘N’ Crying. Our home was small, so when records spun you heard them whether you wanted to or not. When I got older, I favored and found inspiration from the music that raised me.”

All of the musical experience and knowledge that Jackson absorbed through her formative years was poured into new album, ‘Gilded’. Yet along the way, as briefly mentioned, she crossed paths with legendary Social Distortion main man, Mike Ness. Jackson recounts how they met, and the kinship that developed between them.

“The summer before my junior year I started jamming with some neighbourhood boys,” says Jackson, explaining how two of those boys, Andrew Rebel and Jake Vukovich, would go on to be in her current live band. “When I came home for winter break we decided to make a demo. Before I headed back to CalArts to finish my junior year we played a local coffee house gig where Mike’s wife and son heard me play. They took a video on their phones and showed it to Mike who ended up calling me later that week.”

Initially, Jackson thought Ness was there to just offer some advice, saying “My notebook was full of things I wrote down during our conversation,” after they met and spent an afternoon talking about and playing music. “However, I soon found out he wanted to produce my music,” she continues. “It’s been such an honour working with one of my musical heroes. I’ve been a fan of his music from a very young age; the first concert I attended without my parents was Social Distortion when I was thirteen. I remember looking up at Mike and being so inspired. From that day forward I had tunnel vision towards one day getting to perform on a stage myself, so touring with Mike has been the closest thing to any dream I’ve had coming true.”

Jackson gives a great deal of credit to Ness, who acted more as a mentor than just a producer. He hand-selected what he believed to be the best songs that were prepared for an album, and those that would really come to life on the record. “Reflecting back on it now that it’s been recorded, I feel like the songs embodied some of the things I was processing and going through at the time,” she explains. “These past few years working with Mike, I’ve discovered a strength in myself I didn’t know I had, so the songs somewhat take on that characteristic of being strong, independent, and okay with choosing a life outside of what’s considered normal.”

To have that many years of experience to tap into at your disposal is something few musicians will ever get. It’s certainly not something Jackson takes for granted, and knows just how invaluable it was to have Ness around. “The first time I met with Mike we played songs, talked about writing and he told me stories from his experience in the music business. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, everything Mike says is like gold,” she beams. “I left that evening with Lucinda Williams’ [1998 album] ‘Car Wheels on a Gravel Road’ and pages of notes I took during our conversation. Mike has taught me a lot about how to craft a song, and the effect of keeping your vocals simple and straight forward. We worked really well together in the studio.”

With ‘Gilded’ due for release in May via ANTI-, the label who have released everything from Tom Waits to Deafheaven, Jackson is now setting her sights on the future. “I see myself continuing to write, compose, perform and tour for as long as I’m able.” She says, humbly. “I know I’ll always be writing because it’s what keeps me sane. I also hope to be working, writing, rehearsing and touring with my band for as long as possible. Currently being on tour with Social Distortion has been a dream come true and I want to continue traveling and sharing my music with the world.”

Yet as we wrap things up Jackson reveals something more, relating to a personal dream of hers. One that is certainly loftier than just playing shows, but with her level of talent, far from unattainable. “Someday, I’d love to write books, especially children’s stories,” she explains, wanting to utilise her talents and any success in the best way. “I’d like to go into a partnership with my little sister, Audrey Jackson. We dream of opening an eating disorder help centre to raise awareness, as well as offer a safe place with programs and practices that can help those suffering.”

‘Gilded’ is released on May 19 via ANTI-, and is available to pre-order now.