5GB With Jack Of Hearts; Playing Highland Ballroom Oct. 1

By Eileen Tilson

It is obvious that word of mouth is the powerful tool in marketing, and thus when I continued to be asked whether I had heard any of the music from Atlanta four-piece, Jack of Hearts, I knew I had to hear for myself. The band recently released their debut album, Hard Feelings, and have played with the likes of local favorites, Stokeswood, Jungol, and Nappy Roots. Guitar/vocalist David Courtright joined us for our 5GB series before their show tomorrow.

What is the the first gig you ever went to?

It was Grateful Dead in March of ’93 or ’94 — the last show they played in Atlanta before Garcia died. I don’t remember it that well — I was only nine, but I do remember hippies dancing in the aisles and dancing with them. And the smell of weed smoke. Never forgot that one after that.

Best gig you have ever played/performed at?

Either our album release show this August at The Basement in East Atlanta, which was our biggest show in terms of attendance, or at The Relaxo Lounge in Toronto on our east coast tour we just got back from last week. It was such a bitch getting over the border (and even worse coming back in), but we met so many amazing people and played with this awesome Toronto band called Appleseed. Really nice people, beautiful city. And they took us to a speakeasy on the late-night tip. But we’d never live there in winter. Hell no.

Best gig you’ve ever been to?

Joanna Newsom with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. I flew back to Atlanta from my family’s Thanksgiving vacation in Charleston to see this. They weren’t very impressed, but it was totally worth it. She played Ys. in its entirety. Amazing. Everyone was crying. That or Neil Young at the Fox May of 2010. He played After the Gold Rush on this crazy organ, and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.

What is the gig you would most like to play?

At this point, probably SXSW next year. We’re in the process of doing our application and lining up showcases. We’ve heard so much about Austin, and can’t wait to go. That or NXNE in Toronto, which we were invited to when we were up there.

If you could put your dream lineup on a gig, who would it be?

Maybe Grizzly Bear and Radiohead, though I could probably name about a thousand others we would die to play with.

Jack of Hearts plays with Bosco and What Happened to Your Fire Tiger at the Highland Ballroom, Oct. 1