by Jack Johnson
J: We became the “Vine Kids.” It was like the snowball effect, and before the end of the school year we had five million followers. It was a huge stepping-stone for our dream, but we never thought it would take on a life of its own. We never thought it would replace going to college. Ninety percent of what we posted were comedy videos; the rest were music covers. Then we churned out four original songs, and we realized music was the direction we wanted to take it in.
G: And it took off. We made Top 75 on iTunes with our first single, which is kinda crazy.
J: And we started to ask ourselves, what could we do if we had the right resources, the right producers, the right people in our corner? The passion kind of shifted to music. We can’t abandon the funny stuff because that’s where we started, but the music is what we’re focused on now.
G: It wasn’t out of nowhere. He was always rapping and I was always singing, and my sisters pushed me into show choir. Although we did keep that pretty quiet and understated so people wouldn’t make fun of us.
J: Once we put out the first single we realized, “Hey, this is legit.” I don’t know when we made the final decision to not go to college and move to L.A. Probably right around May, around the college deadlines. The hardest part was convincing our parents to let us give it a shot.
G: My grades weren’t great, so I think it was easier for mine to accept an alternate possibility to college. Yours were great, so your parents were probably not that eager for you to give it up.
J: We had to make them understand this could be a career for us. We could make money at it. We could be creative and successful. All the other kids were going to college and that had always been the game plan.
G: It is a little weird to think about that—we’d be sophomores in college now. And when we go back home and hang with our Omaha friends, college is their world. Finals and cramming and stuff. They’re doing the college thing and we’re not. I remember the last year of high school I was so focused on college. I wrote like seven essays, and then we didn’t go.
J: Writing those college apps build character. That’s how I see it.
G: Now that we’re doing our music, the Vine sketch comedy thing is a little hard to put behind us. Some people don’t take us seriously because of the jump.
J: But I think Vine has helped us in a huge way. We wouldn’t be here without it. So no complaints for the road we’ve taken. Wait and you’ll see. That’s what I like to say to people. You wanna see what we can do, trust me, you’ll see.
STUDIO VS. VIDEO
J: We’re very visual, so the idea of making a video and translating our music into that form is really fun for us. Our roots are in video with Vine, so it’s a natural for us. But that said, in the recording studio is when some of the best vibes go around. Collaborating and making something that sounds rhythmically pleasing to the ears . . . that’s amazing. You can’t top that.
G: I love the process as a whole, creating the music from scratch then putting a kick-ass video to it. It’s fun to see it all come together. I really don’t know if I could choose one part of it I like more than the other. Both are cool and creative in different ways. Both work your brain in different ways.
J: And then there’s the featured stuff that we’ve done with Alli Simpson, Madison Pettis, Dyllan Murray. When we work with other people it’s less pressure. With Alli on “Roll ’Em Up,” it was kind of a doo-woppy pop vibe, and that’s something we wouldn’t normally do, so it gave us a chance to try new stuff. Always good to broaden your horizons.
G: It’s way more chill on set when you’re not the star. Which I know sounds like a crazy thing to say, because who doesn’t wanna be a star? But we’re actually okay with it. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and let someone else worry about the details, you know?
J: Plenty of spotlight to go around. As much as we like to be in charge creatively of our work, it’s nice sometimes to take a backseat on someone else’s. And help out a friend.
G: Exactly. And you might learn a thing or two. It’s good to stay open, especially in this business because you’ve got so many creative, talented people. Why not vibe off each other?
WHERE DO YOU GET INSPIRATION FOR YOUR SONGS?
G: I would say mostly from what we observe and what we experience.
J: Yeah, for example, “Wrong One” is about breaking up with a girl, how you backstab each other, and that’s based on stuff we went through in high school with our girlfriends.
G: It can be based on something we experience on a day-today basis—or just one night out.
J: And our fans inspire us, too. “Tides” was written to lift our fans up if they’re in a bad spot in life. Music can be about anything; there are no limits on what you can or can’t talk about.
DID YOU GUYS EVER GET FRUSTRATED AND FEEL LIKE GIVING UP?
J: Never. The thought has never even entered my head.
G: Sometimes it’s stressful, but we put it into perspective: How lucky are we to be doing what we’re doing? At our age!
J: We are making music and online content for our fans, doing what we love.
G: That’s why we won’t ever let each other get to that point.
G: And we’re really connected to our fans. A lot of what we do is for them.
J: We would never abandon our fans—we’re gonna give you the same love back.
IF YOU COULD RECORD WITH ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU RECORD WITH?
J: I wish I could get Jimi Hendrix on a guitar solo on one of our songs. I just watched his documentary last night with a few buddies and it was the dopest thing ever.
G: Bob Marley. That would be sick. Someone living?
J: This guy Anderson Paak we both love and would like to work with. J. Cole on a rap track, or Bruno Mars on a funk hook.
G: Beyoncé, Adele . . .
J: Oh yeah, I didn’t even think of the ladies. Of course, you would.
G: Alicia Keys. Alessia Cara.
J: Anyone who’s killin’ it and has a cool vibe, we’d be down for it. We love collaborating with fellow artists.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO KARAOKE SONG?
J: “Sweet Home Alabama.” That’s mine.
G: “Funky Town” maybe? Nah. Wait, I’m thinking.
J: He’s thinking.
G: “The Distance” by Cake. I know, so random.
J: It’s a good tune. I approve.
WHAT IS YOUR RINGTONE, AND DOES IT MATCH YOUR PERSONALITY?
J: Mine is just the factory ringtone that comes with your Apple phone. I’m too lazy to change it. And I realize that if you do pick a song, it becomes the most hated song in your brain after two weeks because you have to listen to it over and over and over again.
G: You’re assuming that people call you.
J: It’s like, “Damn it, not that song again!” and it just irks you.
G: It irks me too. Irks is a really good word, by the way.
J: Thank you. I try.
G: I just go with the basic ring as well. What does that say about us?
J: I don’t know. Maybe we’re really boring. Or lame. Or indecisive.
G: Stop . . . you’re irking me!
WHO—IN YOUR OPINION—IS THE FUNNIEST PERSON ON THE PLANET?
G: Jim Carrey’s hilarious. Kevin Hart. Will Ferrell. Adam Sandler’s a beast. It’s hard to choose just one.
J: Okay, I’m picking my one person: Dave Chappelle. That’s mine.
G: Then I’ll go with Louis C. K. He’s funny as hell. That’s my choice.
WHAT JOKE/GAG MAKES YOU SHOOT MILK OUT OF YOUR NOSE?
G: Okay, wait, that actually happened.
J: I think it was in my kitchen.
G: I don’t remember what you did or said, but I do remember the milk flew.
J: I think what makes me laugh the hardest is when I’m not allowed to laugh. Like you’re mid-laugh and a teacher yells at you, “Stop laughing!” I can’t hold it in. I lose it.
G: Jack and I used to be in the same study group
with this old guy, Mr. Wish.
J: Don Wish. The man!
G: He was a veteran; he was in the war. He was intense. He tutored us in Honors Biology, and for some reason, whatever he said used to crack us up.
J: We would laugh so hard.
G: And that was bad, because he’d get mad, and when he got mad he was scary.
J: Scary but funny . . . ya gotta give Don credit.
LOVE SONGS
J: THE EMOTIONS IN OUR SONGS COME FROM STUFF WE’VE EXPERIENCED BUT ALSO HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS THAT GUYS AND GIRLS EXPERIENCE. WE WANNA WRITE SONGS THAT ARE RELATABLE. THAT YOU PUT ON AND THEY TAKE YOU TO A PLACE YOU’RE AT OR AN EMOTION YOU’RE FEELING.
G: In “Cold Hearted,” Johnson really dove into the verses, but it’s not specifically about someone we know. It’s about a hot girl. You know the scenario: You encounter a really cute girl at a party or out and about. “Shallow Love” is based on a lot of stuff we’ve seen in L.A. People using people for fame or money. All these girls leaching on to successful guys—and vice versa—and there’s nothing there. It’s shallow.
J: When we wrote “Distance,” we both had girlfriends and it was our first time traveling to fan events on the weekends. Weekends were big back in high school for dating; you didn’t wanna miss out on the weekends. So it put stress on our relationships—the distance caused a lot of strain. We were feeling it; they were feeling it.
G: “I’m In” is about a second chance. When you and your girl break it off, and you both know you still want to be together. Johnson wrote it on a plane from Miami to L.A.
J: But you came up with the hook. Teamwork.
G: I guess we’re both pretty lucky in that neither of us has personally dealt with heartache or a messy breakup yet. But I know if I were dealing with it, I’d put down a sick song and that would be my release. Song writing can be your therapy.
J: I hope that when people listen to our music, they can connect to it. They can relate to the emotions we put in there. It makes sense because we’re all human beings who want to feel loved and accepted. That’s what’s at the core.
G: That was deep. Really deep. I’m like crying right now.
AskJacks
TOP FIVE THINGS WE LOOK FOR IN A SIGNIFICANT OTHER
1. Someone who makes you laugh. You can have a good time together, be playful, be goofy. A girl who’s serious all the time just brings you down.
2. Someone who makes you feel comfortable. There are no awkward silences across the table; you’re not always “on” or minding your manners. You can speak your mind without being judged, and you can cut loose and she digs it.
3. Someone who’s down for anything. Spontaneous, fun-loving, carefree, eager to try something new. You wanna go see the chimps in the zoo, she’s up for it.
4. Someone who doesn’t stress. You don’t want a person who always freaks out at the slightest thing or makes you feel like you’re walking on eggshells. That’s just annoying.
5. Someone who gets along with your friends and family. This is huge if you’re going the distance. She has to bond with the homies because they know you best—and frankly, you can’t get rid of them.
TMI
G: Right when we came out to L.A., we had just gotten out of year-long-plus relationships. We were like, “Let’s focus. Let’s not think about anything long term with girls.”
J: Yeah, that lasted like a split second for him. . . .
G: Well, I met this girl, and I really liked her. It was unavoidable. I couldn’t ignore my feelings. I’m really happy, and she’s in this business, too, so it works really well.
J: I respect that. But I’m flyin’ solo.
G: The lone wolf on the prowl. I want deets.
J: I don’t think you should ever, on principle, kiss and tell. Unless it’s some badass celebrity chick like Rihanna. Then you gotta brag and tell your bros. You just gotta.
G: Just know that you are probably putting it out there. You tell, and someone else will tell. It’s a fact. So if you can live with that . . .
J: But sometimes you just can’t keep it bottled up inside, you know? Like I would have to tell you.
G: I say if you’re single, go ahead and brag about it. But if you’re in a relationship . . .
J: I’d say keep it on the low.
G: He’s a different kinda guy right here.
J: I don’t think either of us were ever really players, though. Back in high school, we both had a few relationships, but there wouldn’t be hookups with different girls every weekend. I mean, maybe the random make-out at a party.
G: Nah, we weren’t players.
J: And today . . . well, I’m still single. I let girls know from the beginning that I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m not trying to break any hearts, you feel me?
G: And I’m in a relationship. So I don’t have to deal with any of that. Thankfully.
J: I don’t have a preference—blond or brunette or redhead. A cute girl is a cute girl.
G: Truth.
LIP LOCKS
J I think my first kiss was my mom.
G Aw, that’s sweet. But we’re talkin’ lip-to-lip, blood-pumpin’ emotion here.
J Oh, okay. Then my first kiss was in the summer between fifth and sixth grade in summer camp in Canada.
G Damn! You were a youngin’.
J I was, I was. My friend actually kissed the same girl—it was his first kiss, too. She was going into seventh grade. An older woman. I guess she thought we were cute. I will never forget it.
G You guys bragged about it a lot. Where did it happen?
J It was by this green lake. Seriously—it was all green with algae or something, like a swamp.
G: My first kiss was in the seventh grade, and you made it happen.
J: I did! I take full credit! You had this girlfriend and you had been dating for like a year.
G: We played tennis together at the same club—we weren’t dating.
J: Okay, you were crushing. But we were all at a bar mitzvah, and I was like, “Come on, guys, you can do it. It’s no biggie. It’s just lip-to-lip contact.” I was like the Kiss Coach.
G: ’Cause you were so experienced.
J: I said, “Okay, Jack, here’s her hand. Just kiss her hand.”
G: Then you suggested I move to the cheek. So I kissed her on the cheek.
J: Then I said, “Okay, come on, now do it on the lips. It’s just two inches to the right. It’s really not that big of a deal.”
G: We finally kissed. “With You” by Chris Brown was playing and that became our song. She’s a nice girl, and I see her sometimes back in Omaha.
BOXERS OR BRIEFS?
J: Boxer-briefs. I’m a hybrid man.
G: I rock the long Ethikas. Love those.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM DATE?
G: Me and my girlfriend, and all my dudes and their girlfriends, would go to some tropical locale and jump out of a plane. That would be really cool.
J: With parachutes, I hope? Otherwise, that is the last dream date you’re goin’ on.
G: Goes without saying.
J: Mine would be with Marilyn Monroe in her prime. That would probably make my life.
G: Where would you take her?
J: Dude, Marilyn Monroe. Does it matter?
G: Good point.
J: I just wanna take a selfie with her. But if it was back in the day, we’d probably go see a Frank Sinatra concert and hang backstage.
G: That would be legendary.
DO YOU WANT TO SETTLE DOWN ONE DAY? GET MARRIED AND HAVE KIDS?
G: Definitely. Of course.
J: I wanna be married before I’m thirty. I feel like it will help me focus. I don’t want to be single my entire life. That stuff’s fun, but once you’re past twenty-five, you know what you want and you can decide on the right partner for you.
G: Live it up till you’re thirty.
J: I wanna have a kid when I’m young. I wanna be the cool dad.
G: I’ll be the
cool dad even when I’m eighty.
J: Yeah, you will.
WHICH ONE OF YOU IS THE BEST KISSER?
J: You’d probably have to ask a mutual make-out girl. There were a few back in high school.
G: Yeah, there are a few. We’re not naming names, but if you wanted to go and investigate . . .
J: They could answer that question for you. We’re not equipped.
G: I don’t think I wanna know!
WHAT IS THE MOST ROMANTIC THING YOU’VE EVER DONE FOR A GIRL?
J: I’m not really a mushy-gushy kinda guy. Flowers and dinner on Valentine’s Day, probably. I don’t overthink or overdo it.
G: Balloons. Flowers. A big teddy bear. I’m with you on this—you don’t need to make a big scene to show you care. Words. Words are romantic.
HOW DO YOU TELL SOMEONE IT’S OVER WITHOUT BREAKING HER HEART INTO A MILLION PIECES?
J: You gotta be calm. Don’t be in her face. Think of how you would feel on the receiving end.
G: If you’re ending it, there’s a reason. Be up front about it. State it. And remember, even if the girlfriend-boyfriend thing isn’t working out, you can still be friends.
J: Eventually. Give it some time. But let’s be real, it’ll never be the same.