Following a four-year hiatus, Jack the Radio is back.
It’s the Raleigh rock scene’s dream come true. Jack the Radio is back with a new album and a collab beer with Trophy Brewing—a Helles lager with 100% NC Pilsner malt dubbed Jack the Radio Fast Fun (a nod to their 2023 single). After a four-year hiatus, the roots rockers are set to drop Under Lonely Light June 21, with a release show slated for June 22 at The Pour House feat. Fancy Gap, a comic release and vinyl fresh off the presses.
We caught up with half the group, George Hage and Danny Johnson, ahead of their tunes and brews release. Time to “tell everyone around!”
Why the hiatus?
We never stepped away from music, but there were a lot of steps taken as we maneuvered the twists and turns of the past few years, which have been a journey leading to a lot of introspection—and deeper and sometimes darker lyrics.
George Hage
How does the brew play on the vibe of “Fast Fun?”
This is our second collab with Trophy Brewing, and we’re superlucky to call co-owners Chris [Powers] and Woody [Lockwood] friends and supporters. We chatted with them about the vibe of the song and pitched some general targets (light and summery), but part of the fun is putting it in the hands of the professionals and seeing where they land! Fast Fun really fits the feel of the song as an upbeat summertime groove.
Danny Johnson
Your biggest inspiration?
I’m equally inspired by the music I listen to and the gear I have available. Mike Viola’s American Egypt didn’t really guide my engineering or mixing, but as an album full of unexpected twists and turns, it did constantly remind me there are no wrong sounds—as long as we’re serving the song.
Danny Johnson
I’ve tried to push myself to be more vulnerable when sharing my words and voice. I can attribute some of that to long hours listening to Tom Petty. He is a master of delivering genius in a clear and simple way.
George Hage
Any advice for local aspiring creatives?
Don’t wait for permission. Get out and go to shows and events—and see the amazing art and artists we have in the community. Create the art you want to see.
George Hage
*Responses have been lightly edited for space and clarity
WEB EXCLUSIVE Local indie-pop artists double as tenacious trail runners and van-dwellers.
By day, you’ll find Raleighites Jamie and Hannah Rowen running the streets of Raleigh with local run clubs. By night, you’ll find them jamming to their latest single “Wrecked” live at Bond Brothers Eastside.
The husband-and-wife duo behind indie-pop band Stray Local, their prime mission is to “not just rock your socks with killer songs and catchy hooks that’ll fit your vibe throughout the day… but inspire you to seek adventure, lace up your shoes and head out the door,” says Hannah. Essentially, to stray local, if you will.
Perfomance in Kanab, Utah
Now before you run like the wind to catch one of their shows, a little backstory. … No strangers to hitting the dusty trail, the couple shifted gears from playful high school cross-country meets to learning music ropes while in college at UNCG. But who ever said passions can’t be aplenty? Thus, the runners-cum-music makers merged their interests, converted their minivan into a camper and hit the road on a cross-country adventure traveling through national parks, running races and performing at running festivals in scenic locations.
Their Run Wild tour consisted of eight shows, kicking off in Kanab, Utah, with the Grand Circle Trailfest (a festival celebrating trail running, community, music and the great outdoors) for three days of three back-to-back half-marathons through scenic national parks Bryce Canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon, finished off by a live performance. The dashing duo also ran and performed at Boulderthon, a spotlight marathon in Boulder, Colorado, and supported and performed at other run club events in the area.
Finish Line at Trailfest
Now, the duo has a plethora of new songs in the works set to release this winter, with plans in the works for a spring East Coast tour, with performances in NC slated till then.
“As musicians and runners and outdoor addicts, we hope our passions are contagious,” says Jamie. So, if it’s adventure that you seek, be sure to check out Stray Local’s upcoming shows in NC (peep their schedule below) and stay tuned for more showtimes—and new tunes. Stray on!
