With Priscilla Block releasing “Hey, Jack” on November 10 via Universal Music Group Nashville, the hot new track (written by Block alongside Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover and Dave Cohen) marks the beginning of a new era for the talented singer/songwriter, diving deeper into her more emotional side.
In an exclusive interview with Music Mayhem, the 28-year-old singer/songwriter talked all about the brand-new tune and the music video that accompanies it, as well as what else she has planned for the near future. From working on her sophomore album to embarking on her highly-anticipated “Hey, Jack” Tour and beyond, she gave us all of the inside scoop.
New Single, “Hey, Jack”
To kick off the conversation, Block gave us a rundown of what the hot new track is all about, sharing the meaning behind “Hey, Jack,” as well as what the feedback has been like since its release earlier this month.
“I think I have a lot of songs that are written towards a person, and this is kind of like you’re speaking to Jack, and you know, it’s like instead of calling an ex-boyfriend, you’re calling on some liquor to make some bad decisions, and the response to this song has been awesome. I mean, it’s really kind of exceeded my expectations,” the country star gushed in an interview with Music Mayhem.
One of the most interesting things about “Hey, Jack” is the mystery of who Jack truly is. Because of this, when asked who Jack is specifically, Block revealed that “It’s up for interpretation,” prior to diving into the details of why she left the identity of him rather ambiguous.
She continued passionately, “We all have our Jacks, whether it’s the whiskey, whether it’s that guy that you probably shouldn’t go to… Whatever makes you feel something. That’s kind of what this song is, and I hope that it makes people feel like taking their power back.”
Drew Inspiration From “Hey, Jack” For Recent Red Carpet Looks
While the rather dark and moody nature of the song may seem a bit outside of Priscilla Block’s comfort zone, which typically consists of party anthems, the budding songstress decided that it was imperative to work “Hey, Jack” into her day-to-day life, even drawing inspiration from the brand-new tune and the music video that accompanies it for her recent red carpet looks.
“It’s just so much fun creating the visuals,” she dished. “I love really solid branding, and I really feel like we hit a home run on the branding with this song, and even like putting the red carpet pieces together with the visualizer… The sheet that I had in the video, I wore it to the BMI red carpet, and then in the video there was a flashing warning sign on my shirt and a safety vest in the mirror, and that kind of hinted at the CMA red carpet look, so it’s been a really fun, creative time for me.”
“Hey, Jack” Music Video
Speaking of the music video, Block also elaborated into what the inspiration was for the video itself, explaining how she intentionally went in a different direction for “Hay, Jack” than what she has done in the past.
“When I wrote ‘Hey, Jack,’ I think your mind immediately goes to the bar, right? You know, drinking at a bar, and I wanted to make sure this music video didn’t feel like that, just because I shot ‘Just About Over You’ in a bar, and ‘My Bar’ kind of has that feel, and I wanted it to feel elevated, because a lot has changed in two years since I wrote my last album,” the North Carolina native revealed.
Given the dark and moody nature of the music video, Block also explained how she wanted to showcase her sexier side with “Hey, Jack,” a mission in which she undoubtedly accomplished.
“I just think that there’s something a little bit sexy about the song, and that’s a side that I haven’t really shown to fans,” she explained. “I’m growing up, and you know, I’m owning who I am and being confident. I think that there’s a lot of that in that video.”
kickstarts a new era
As mentioned, ever since Block came onto the country music scene in 2020, she has been the party-starting, beer-drinking girl, but “Hey, Jack” is just the beginning of her becoming more vulnerable in her music.
“When we wrote ‘Hey, Jack,’ I was still on this high from ‘You, Me, And Whiskey,’” the emerging artist prefaced, referencing her single with Justin Moore that has been making waves since its release in October of 2022. Admitting that the two tracks are “a little bit in similar veins,” Block wanted to start creating more music that has the same feel as “You, Me, And Whiskey,” beginning with “Hey, Jack” and shying away from the party anthems we know and love.
“When we wrote it, I was like, ‘This feels like the start of a new era,’ and it’s still similar to what I’m doing, but it’s new, and it’s fresh… It’s a new thing for fans to listen to that’s not like, ‘Oh, well we’ve heard this a million times,’” the budding songstress admitted, teasing what is to come in the near future.
Wants To Show Fans Another Side Of Her Rather Than Just Party Songs
She continued, “I always want to let fans in on where I’m at in my life, and I do have a lot of fun party songs, but at the end of the day, that’s not the only part of me… There’s kind of three sides to me. I think there’s the big personality, I think there’s a very emotional side of me, and I think that, you know, there’s the kind of sassy side of me, and you hear that in my music, and I want to be able to show people that, you know, it’s not only going off the deep end. It’s not only the fake names or thick thighs. Like, there’s depth here.”
“As I grow as an artist, I think it’s important to share that different sides of yourself with the fans so it doesn’t always feel like, ‘Oh, she’s the girl that only sings about this,’” Block concluded with a grin.
With some music that dives deeper into her more emotional side on the horizon, the rising country star’s sophomore album is sure to show fans a new side to Priscilla Block that she has been waiting to unleash.
Headlining “Hey, Jack” tour
Aside from working on some new tunes, Block has plans to hit the road for the first half of 2024, beginning her highly-anticipated “Hey, Jack” Tour on February 7 in San Diego, California, and ending on May 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina with a bombastic hometown show.
“I am so excited to do another tour,” the 28-year-old gushed. “We went out last spring and did a really successful tour, and for me, there’s nothing better than doing, you know, your own headlining show. The fans are amazing. The fans are what gave me my career. I’m excited to get back just like face-to-face with the fans, because it’s really like going home, you know?”
She continued passionately, “We’ve been out this year with Justin Moore and Old Dominion, but I’m really excited to play new songs for the fans and get them excited for this next album, and it’s going to be definitely a lot different from our last tour… We’re just hoping to continue growing and give people a better and better show every single year, where they want to come back, and they want to bring their friends.”
Promising people a “better and better show every single year,” and with budding country star Ryan Larkins joining her on this endeavor, the “Hey, Jack” Tour will be nothing short of spectacular for all attendees, as well as Priscilla Block herself.
Priscilla Block Tour Dates
February 2024
7 – Moonshine Beach – San Diego, CA
8 – Troubadour – West Hollywood, CA
9 - Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace – Bakersfield, CA
10 – The Fremont Theater – San Luis Obispo, CA
15 – Showbox – Seattle, WA
16 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR
17 – Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA
23 – Tannahill Tavern & Music Hall – Fort Worth, TX
24 – The Hall – Little Rock, AR
April 2024
18 – The Pageant – Saint Louis, MO
19 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
20 – Roxian Theatre – McKees Rocks, PA
25 – The Paramount – Huntington, NY
26 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA
27 – 9:30 Club – Washington, D.C.
May 2024
2 – The Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA
3 – The Windjammer – Isle of Palms, SC
4 – The Ritz – Raleigh, NC
Opening for Old Dominion at Bridgestone Arena
As mentioned, Priscilla Block has been on the road with her “You, Me, And Whiskey” duet partner, Justin Moore, and six-time CMA Award-winner for Vocal Group of the Year, Old Dominion, closing out 2023 with an opening act at Bridgestone Arena for the latter.
Given the history Block has with the venue itself (more notably the Jack Daniel’s bar that sits right behind it), this performance is sure to be extra special for Block, ending the year with a bang. “I used to play at the Jack Daniel’s bar on the backside of Bridgestone every weekend, and I would play for tips, and I would try to bring in people to the bar that were going into Bridgestone that night,” she revealed to Music Mayhem. “This year, playing Bridgestone is such a big accomplishment for me. I mean, I remember playing outside of that bar, and I would say into the mic, ‘One day I’m going to be playing in Bridgestone, and you guys can say you saw me outside of it.’”
“It’s definitely a full circle moment for me, and I’m just pumped. I’m thankful to Old Dominion for having me out, and it’s just going to be a party. We’re throwing down. That’s my last show of the year, so you know we are raging that night,” the rising country star concluded with a beaming smile.
Country music lovers can listen “Hey, Jack” on their favorite music streaming platform now, as well as secure their tickets to a Priscilla Block live via priscillablock.com/tour.
