Jack Colwell

Colwell attended the Conservatorium High School at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.{{Cite Instagram |last=Colwell |first=Jack |user=jvckcolwell |postid=C_mSTc6SWfS |date=7 September 2024 |title=big emotional day for me conducting back at my high school! 💕 x}}

Prior to launching his solo career, Colwell worked behind the scenes in the Australian music industry, assisting Karen O with her performance of "Stop The Virgens" at the Sydney Opera House in 2012 and arranging vocals for Architecture in Helsinki. He also had a band called Jack Colwell & The Owls.

Colwell attracted attention in August 2015 when Rolling Stone Australia premiered the video for his single "Don't Cry Those Tears".Nail, Jonny (18 August 2015) [http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/premiere-jack-colwell-dont-cry-those-tears/2100 Premiere: Jack Colwell "Don't Cry Those Tears."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306184405/http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/premiere-jack-colwell-dont-cry-those-tears/2100 |date=6 March 2016}} Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 1 March 2016.

The song topped AMRAP's Metro radio chart for four consecutive weeks{{cite web |title=Amrap Chart Wrap − Jack Colwell and Boy & Bear retain #1 spots in Community Radio Charts |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/amrap-chart-wrap-jack-colwell-and-boy-and-bear-retain-1-spots-in-community-radio-charts/ |website=The Music Network |date=27 October 2015}} but programmers at Triple J told Colwell, who was 25 years old at the time, that "Don't Cry Those Tears" sounded 'too old' to be played on the station.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/01/ageism-is-alive-and-well-triple-j-lampooned-for-insulting-tweet |title='Ageism is alive and well': Triple J lampooned for 'insulting' tweet |newspaper=The Guardian |date=September 2021}}

In late August 2015, he self-released his first solo EP, Only When Flooded Could I Let Go.[http://themusic.com.au/music/albumreviews/2015/08/31/jack-colwell-only-when-flooded-could-i-let-go-charmaine-de-souza/ Jack Colwell – Only When Flooded Could I Let Go.] The Music. Retrieved 20 July 2016.

In September 2015, Colwell appeared at Newtown Social Club as part of Rolling Stone's "Live Lodge" concert series. In November 2015, ARIA-winning singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko announced that Colwell would be the main support act on her 2016 Australian tour.[http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s4345047.htm Sarah Blasko announces national album tour for Eternal Return] abc.net.au. Retrieved 1 March 2016.

In August 2016, Colwell released When The World Explodes,[https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/when-the-world-explodes-ep/id1141564405 Jack Colwell – When The World Explodes.]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} iTunes. Retrieved 22 August 2016. an EP featuring remixes of songs from Only When Flooded... by HEALTH, Fennesz, Roly Porter, Ash Koosha, Rabit and Marcus Whale.

In October 2016, Colwell played a sold-out hometown show at the Sydney Opera House with a string ensemble.Valentish, Jenny (17 October 2016). [http://www.moshcam.com/articles/reviews/32779/jack-colwell-bears-soul-sydney-opera-house Jack Colwell Bears His Soul at the Sydney Opera House.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020173208/http://www.moshcam.com/articles/reviews/32779/jack-colwell-bears-soul-sydney-opera-house |date=20 October 2016}} Moshcam. Retrieved 20 October 2016.

In 2018, Colwell accompanied cult singer-songwriter and former Burberry model Patrick Wolf at Wolf's career-spanning Australian comeback concert.{{cite web |last1=Zuel |first1=Bernard |title=The Remaking of Patrick Wolf |url=https://www.bernardzuel.net/post/2018/04/12/the-remaking-of-patrick-wolf-interview |website=bernardzuel.net |access-date=25 March 2023 |language=en |date=11 April 2018}} The pair reunited in January 2020 for a sold-out run of Wolf shows in London,{{cite web |title=Jack Colwell tells us about his new album |url=https://somethingyousaid.com/2020/05/26/jack-colwell-tells-us-about-his-new-album/ |website=Something You Said |date=25 May 2020}} with Colwell contributing arrangements and multi-instrumental accompaniment.

Colwell self-released his debut album, Swandream, in 2020.{{cite web |last1=Zuel |first1=Bernard |title=Jack Colwell: Swandream review – theatrical, raw songs packed with pain and soaring survival |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/03/jack-colwell-swandream-review- |website=The Guardian |access-date=21 September 2021 |language=en |date=3 June 2020}}

Produced by Sarah Blasko, Swandream was acclaimed by critics: NME declared it "an utterly visceral listen with immediate impact"{{cite web |title=The 25 best Australian albums of 2020 |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/features/nme-best-australia-albums-of-the-year-2020-2844123 |website=NME |language=en-AU |date=23 December 2020}} while The Guardian said "Colwell and Blasko have built a full-immersion tale that is both theatrical and real."

BrooklynVegan called Swandream "a record loaded with lush, moody ballads and soaring anthems"{{cite web |title=Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie remixes Jack Colwell's "In My Dreams" (listen) |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/cocteau-twins-robin-guthrie-remixes-jack-colwells-in-my-dreams-listen/ |website=BrooklynVegan |access-date=21 September 2021 |language=en}} and Junkee crowned it "the fieriest and most beautiful album of the year so far".{{cite web |title=Jack Colwell Has Written The Fieriest And Most Beautiful Album Of The Year So Far |url=https://junkee.com/jack-colwell-swandream-interview/256418 |website=Junkee |access-date=21 September 2021 |date=5 June 2020}}

Swandream ranked #5 on NME's '25 Best Australian Albums of 2020' list.

Prior to the album's release, Colwell shared a collaboration with Owen Pallett, "I Will Not Change My Ways".{{cite web |title=Jack Colwell releases collaboration with Owen Pallett |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/jack-colwell-owen-pallett-collaboration-2623274 |website=NME |access-date=22 September 2021 |language=en-AU |date=11 March 2020}} The song was recorded in one take while Colwell was in Pallett's native Toronto. An alternative version appeared on Swandream.

A track from the album, "In My Dreams", was remixed by Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins. Guthrie's version appeared alongside remixes by Joel Amey of Wolf Alice and Australian musicians Rainbow Chan and Marcus Whale on the EP Swanlux.{{cite web |title=Jack Colwell announces remix EP 'Swanlux' |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/jack-colwell-announces-remix-ep-swanlux-2813148 |website=NME |access-date=22 September 2021 |language=en-AU |date=10 November 2020}}

Colwell wrote essays for The Guardian,{{cite web |last1=Colwell |first1=Jack |title=Jack Colwell: Some Things Last a Long Time by Daniel Johnston is the most perfect song of all time |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/feb/20/jack-colwell-some-things-last-a-long-time-by-daniel-johnston-is-the-most-perfect-song-of-all-time |website=The Guardian |date=19 February 2023}} Kill Your Darlings{{cite web |title=Ears with Feet: Life Among the Tori Amos Super Fans |url=https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/article/ears-with-feet-life-among-the-tori-amos-super-fans/ |website=Kill Your Darlings |access-date=21 September 2021 |language=en-us}} and others, and delivered talks at the National Young Writers' Festival{{cite web |title=Jack Colwell – NYWF |url=https://youngwritersfestival.org/artists/jack-colwell/ |access-date=25 March 2023 |language=en-AU}} and the Emerging Writers' Festival.{{cite web |title=Emerging Writers' Festival: Jack Colwell on Tweeties for Sweeties: Narrative in Grindr and social media |url=https://www.wheelercentre.com/events/emerging-writers-festival-jack-colwell-on-tweeties-for-sweeties-narrative-in-grindr-and-social-media/ |website=The Wheeler Centre |access-date=25 March 2023}}

In November 2016, Colwell released the fundraising single No Mercy in honour of deceased Australian Indigenous teenager Tyrone Unsworth.Sargent, Chloe (28 November 2016). [https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/arts-and-culture/jack-colwell-drops-empowering-lgbtq-tune-in-honour/89682753-f4fa-4250-836c-a7d982894018.htm Jack Colwell Drops Empowering LGBTQ+ Tune In Honour of Tyrone Unsworth.] Pedestrian.tv. Retrieved 28 November 2016.

In September 2017, Colwell programmed and performed at Unity: the Equality Campaign concert at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney with Sarah Blasko, Killing Heidi, The Jezabels and others.Shanahan, Lucy (13 September 2017). [http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/photo-gallery-unity-the-equality-campaign-concert/7056 Aussie All-Stars Call For 'Unity' at Marriage Equality Concert.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915215614/http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/photo-gallery-unity-the-equality-campaign-concert/7056 |date=15 September 2017}} Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 16 September 2017. Proceeds from the event went to Australian Marriage Equality, a registered charity advocating for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia.Shaw, Rebecca (6 September 2017). [https://www.pedestrian.tv/music/ya-faves-playing-huge-gig-sydney-next-week-ssm-cause/ All Ya Faves Are Playing A Huge Gig In Sydney Next Week For The SSM Cause.] Pedestrian.tv. Retrieved 16 September 2017.

Colwell was born three months prematurely on 26 October 1989.Groves, Nancy (10 December 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/dec/10/claudia-karvan-drowns-jack-colwell-in-music-video-for-coat-exclusive-premiere Claudia Karvan murders Jack Colwell in music video for Coat – exclusive premiere.] The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2016.{{cite news |title=I'm 30 today!! Thanks for all the lovely birthday messages. |url=https://www.x.com/jackcolwell_/status/1187985460494094336?s=46 |access-date=5 October 2024 |work=X}}

Colwell was gay;{{cite web |title=Interview: Jack Colwell Talks About "No Mercy" & Raising Funds For QLife |url=https://thequeerav.com/interview-jack-colwell-qlife/ |website=The Queer Av |access-date=7 October 2024 |date=5 December 2016}} after his death, his friend Gen Fricker described him as "out and flamboyant at 14."{{cite web |last1=Tassell |first1=Dominique |title=Sydney singer-songwriter Jack Colwell dies, aged 34 |url=https://7news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/sydney-singer-songwriter-jack-colwell-dies-aged-34-c-16287472 |website=Seven News |access-date=7 October 2024 |date=5 October 2024}}

Colwell was a survivor of childhood domestic abuse, as described in the Swandream song "The Sound of Music."{{cite web |last1=Lancaster |first1=Brodie |title=No ugly duckling: Jack Colwell paints his own mythical, turbulent transformation on ‘Swandream’ |url=https://www.nme.com/features/jack-colwell-new-album-swandream-2-3607203 |website=NME |access-date=24 December 2024 |date=1 June 2020}} He wrote that the events "destroyed the innocence of my childhood and drained the sense of fantasy and wonder from my youth."{{cite web |last1=Colwell |first1=Jack |title=DAY FIVE: I will not let your shadow hang over me |url=https://16daysblogathon.blog/2020/11/29/day-five-the-sound-of-music/ |website=16 Days Blogathon |access-date=29 January 2025 |language=en |date=29 November 2020}}

Colwell was a noted Tori Amos fan. In 2017, he told Double J: "What I love about Tori is that she made the piano cool."{{cite web |title=Tori Amos – The J Files |url=https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/programs/the-j-files/tori-amos/10274452 |website=Double J |language=en-AU |date=7 September 2017}}

In his 2015 Kill Your Darlings essay Ears with Feet: Life Among the Tori Amos Super Fans he wrote: "I had allowed her music to save my life during a time when I saw no way out. When you yourself are a teenager struggling with your sexuality, who was also raped by a stranger, listening to the work of Tori Amos can be pretty powerful stuff."

Colwell died by suicide{{cite web |last1=Hardy |first1=Marieke |title=Celebrating Jack Colwell |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/celebrating-jack-colwell/id1719926139?i=1000701446571 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-AU}}{{cite web |last1=Valentish |first1=Jenny |title=A shrine to Jack Colwell |url=https://jennyvalentish.substack.com/p/a-shrine-to-jack-colwell |website=Vault du Valentish |date=9 April 2025}} on 3 October 2024 at the age of 34.{{cite news |last1=Valentish |first1=Jenny |title=Remembering Jack Colwell: an astonishing musical talent, and a generous and loyal friend |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/05/remembering-jack-colwell-an-astonishing-musical-talent-and-a-generous-and-loyal-friend |access-date=5 October 2024 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |last1=Bond |first1=Nick |title=Much-loved Australian singer-songwriter Jack Colwell dies aged 34 |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/muchloved-australian-singersongwriter-jack-colwell-dies-aged-34/news-story/280fb93710a5e8cf30c8c58ea3ddbba2 |date=5 October 2024 |website=news.com.au}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://jackcolwell.com.au Official website]
• {{discogs artist|Jack Colwell}}
• {{imdb name|5658111}}

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Category:1989 births

Category:2024 deaths

Category:21st-century Australian male singers

Category:21st-century Australian singer-songwriters

Category:Australian gay musicians

Category:Australian indie rock musicians

Category:Australian LGBTQ singers

Category:Australian LGBTQ songwriters

Category:Australian male singer-songwriters

Category:Gay singer-songwriters