Jason Parker on choosing freedom and what it really means to be a man

Societal expectations have been a recurring theme across our articles in recent weeks. Creation is a nifty craft that takes the experience of living down unique pathways. As such, it is my experience that a lot of musicians fall outside conventional realms of 'how you should be' - it was something I struggled with personally as an artist.

Well Jason Parker has released a dynamic new tune - One Week Sober. It's intriguing as it captures the point of no going back. An artist choosing to be at war with the world or not. The release makes up the first taste of Jason's forthcoming album What It Means to be a Man. He gave us the intel on what underpins the record and what to expect when it's released.

One Week Sober’, is first taste of your forthcoming album. What can you tell us about the track?

It's what I call a bittersweet banger. It's a song I think I'll look back on fondly in 20 years as a real turning point. I wrote 'One Week Sober' at a bottleneck in my life. I was either gonna shoot out the top or be trapped in my own confinement, and I chose freedom. I think the song sounds like that feeling of release. It's the first door into What Makes a Man, and I want people to open it, feel seen and welcome to stay for a while. There's a lot more to come.

What did writing the song teach you about yourself?

That when you say nice things to yourself enough times, eventually it sinks in. I am enough. I am enough. I am. I am. I am. It sounds simple, but it’s not always easy to look in the mirror and be ok with the person staring back, every day I have to work on being kind to myself. I hope people hear that in the song and feel a bit lighter walking away from it.

Your forthcoming album is called What Makes a Man. What does that question mean to you at this point in your life?

It's a question and a statement, and that's kind of the point. For me it means being free of societal expectations and showing up for the people who really see me and love me as I am. The whole album is me working through that, song by song, and 'One Week Sober' is where it starts. 

There’s a lot of great music coming out of Aotearoa right now. Which local artists are you listening to?

Yeah, there is! I've been loving Katie-Lee, arielwose, Isla Noon, Paige and Ardon England. I’m a sucker for a live show and every one of these artists gives the goods.  To me these artists are the new wave of cool girl pop music. It’s just a really exciting time to be making music here, could not be more thrilled to be apart of it.

If you could open for one artist anywhere in the world, who would it be?

It would definitely be Carly Rae Jepsen. Her music has been a huge inspiration for me, and her new album, Day and Night, is going to be on high rotation for me this summer. I think her fans would love the world of What Makes a Man and relate to it. I also feel like I bring a similar energy live, just saying if she needs a stand in for Owl City on Good Time I’m ready!

With What Makes a Man on the horizon, what can people expect from the next chapter of Jason Parker?

Expect to tell your friends and family that your new favourite track is by Jason Parker. Expect honest pop songs with a lot of heart and a live show that invites you to be part of something special. And we’re doing physical so except to love your CD player like it’s 2001.