The Bay Area native has influences that range from Danny Elfman to Björk to Chopin, and as a child, whether he was listening to his father playing Bill Evans tunes on the piano or his mother singing old Cole Porter standards, Jack found himself immersed in sound. His live show springs from this diverse spectrum of styles, and it involves multiple keyboards, guitars, jerry-rigged drum pads, and an occasional accordion, all glued together with thumping beats and in-your-face electronics.
As a member of one of the first generations to grow up with computers on demand, Jack comments, "This is a music revolution, and it's everyone that's making it happen. It's the fans, it's the musicians, it's the blogging sites, it's the programmers who make the blogging sites, it's everyone."
Jack is also one half of Pomplamoose.
Jack is also one half of Scary Pockets.
Jack is also founder and CEO of a small company called Patreon
Starlight
Jack Conte Lyrics
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Glassed up in a jar
Clear and cut and dry
But dipped a bit in tar
And you're hoping for a troll
To rob you of your gold
And burn your lovely home
Current in your hands
And a trembling in your back
Doubt your hopeful can
And crystallize to lack
And the sun will shine
At the edge of time
But not until you’re done
You'll never be done
The lyrics of Jack Conte's song Starlight center on the idea of the fragility of one's mind, hope, and aspirations. The opening line "So you thought you had your mind" suggests that the singer believed they understood their own mind, controlled their thoughts, and had a clear path in life. But the rest of the verse challenges this notion. The line "Glassed up in a jar, clear and cut and dry" implies that the singer constrains their mind in a limited and unchanging way, unable to grow or evolve. The phrase "But dipped a bit in tar" connotes a pessimistic outlook, suggesting that an unwelcome experience has dampened their once positive attitude.
The second verse speaks to the dangers of doubt and fear. The line "And a trembling in your back" evokes a physical manifestation of fear, indicating that hopelessness is taking over. The phrase "Doubt your hopeful can and crystallizes to lack" reinforces this point, suggesting that doubt can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy, leading to a lack of the will to try or persevere. The final lines of the song are optimistic yet discouraging at the same time. The phrase "And the sun will shine at the edge of time" speaks to the idea that someday things will get better. Yet, "But not until you’re done, you'll never be done" suggests that the journey may be long and arduous, and that success may only come after years of hard work and struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
So you thought you had your mind
You believed that you fully understood your thoughts and emotions.
Glassed up in a jar
You believed that your mind was contained and protected from external influences like a jar.
Clear and cut and dry
You believed that your thoughts and emotions were straightforward and simple.
But dipped a bit in tar
However, your thoughts and emotions have been tainted and muddied by negative experiences.
And you're hoping for a troll
You are searching for an external enemy to blame for your problems.
To rob you of your gold
You want to believe that someone else is taking away your happiness and success.
And burn your lovely home
You fear losing your familiar surroundings and comfort zone.
And keep you from the starlight
You are afraid that something will prevent you from achieving your goals and dreams.
Current in your hands
You have the power to steer your life in the right direction.
And a trembling in your back
However, you feel scared and unsure about your ability to succeed.
Doubt your hopeful can
You doubt that you have what it takes to achieve your goals.
And crystallize to lack
As a result, you may become stuck in a pattern of self-doubt and inaction.
And the sun will shine
Success is possible and will come in time.
At the edge of time
However, it may take longer than you expect.
But not until you’re done
You will only find success once you have overcome your doubts and taken action towards achieving your goals.
You'll never be done
This process of overcoming self-doubt and striving towards success is ongoing and never truly ends.
Contributed by William N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.