It seems Jack McCord was always destined for the musical path, though his trail has been multifaceted. With strong musical ties in jazz on guitar, trumpet and saxophone, his love for complex compound rhythms switched to the more straightforward matrix of hip hop and house music. First falling in love with house music after living in New York and London, the exchange in instruments only served to propel Jack further into the international limelight. The dedication and freedom to be creative in jazz continues to linger, saturating his DJ performances and productions under the moniker of Soul System and remixes. With tours all around the world, Jack McCord has finally come to call Australia home, bringing with him the iconic Hed Kandi brand. A name synonymous for its value on music, fashion and style across London, Miami, Paris, Tokyo, Dubai, Rio and Ibiza, Jack is now boosting Hed Kandi all across Australasia – including the sunshine state. In the leadup to the launch of Hed Kandi in Brisbane on Friday night at Zuri Bar, Lounge & Dining, ITM sits down with the man who is attached to the down under chapter of the renown trademark to chat bagpipes, what inspires him, and leaving his home country in order to find his calling in Australia.

Hi there Jack! Things have not been quiet on the music front with you – what have you been up to?

Apart from all the Hed Kandi stuff, I’ve been back in the studio collaborating on some new tracks with Sydney based vocalist Muma Megs plus I’m getting ready to launch my new record label over the summer. I have just finished up a few remixes, including a killer new track for Reel Sessions. There is one other massive, top-secret mission but I can’t tell you – yet!

What drives you to keep on the path of music?

It’s nothing tricky – I just really love music! I know I’m not the most gifted or talented musician of all-time or of today or even in my own neighbourhood, but I do want to fulfill my own potential as far as I can take it and create music that finds an audience and that I can be proud of.

You already play so many instruments, are there any you’d love to feature one day in your tunes?

This may sound weird, but if I had to pick just one then I have to confess I’m an absolute nut for military pipe and drum marching bands. Not sure how I’d make it work but I freak for bagpipes so it’s top of my list.

You’ve had such great success with your releases, especially Feel Good which became an anthem for many in the dance world, and your performances are always filled with killer tunes. What do you think are all the elements that come together to form a top track?

A well constructed composition with a catchy hook, real human emotion expressed in a memorable performance and super tight production in the mix.

What do you do to challenge yourself to grow and develop as an artist?

I keep doing, keep learning, keep growing. Thinking about it or talking about it won’t get you very far. But once you’re actually up off your butt and doing something – then the good stuff is sure to follow.

What are your thoughts on how dance music is taking over the world with the help of the internet? What do you think of the direction where dance music is heading?

I’ve been around long enough to have an extensive list of well-loved classics, but I also still get excited to hear the next big track. I don’t appreciate new musical directions which seem to have no feeling or soul or much thought, but if they have their audience then that’s just part of artistic evolution. At the end of the day it’s all good. Human beings are hard-wired for music so we’ll always have ‘good’ music in every style and genre.

Why did you choose to move back to Australia and how does Australia’s dance scene compare to the global arena?

It wasn’t such a tough choice. London is wicked but you can’t beat the quality of lifestyle in this country. The scene here is obviously smaller than Europe or the US but it has really come of age in recent years and obviously the advent of the internet has brought us all so much closer. I love what’s happening here in Australia – it’s exciting!

Are there any particular Australian artists that are exciting you at the moment?

Loads! TV Rock, The Presets, Levi 5-Star, Hook N Sling, Reel Sessions, Empire Of The Sun and Ladyhawke. There are also plenty of other artists and acts into sounds that aren’t so much my thing but I still have massive respect for anybody getting out there and making it happen.

How have you been finding the Australian dance scene since you’ve been back moved here? What changes have you really noticed?

It’s developed its own identity and character which is uniquely Australian. More people doing more things create a more dynamic culture which is great! We need the big hitters in the scene to keep doing their thing and we need more and more new players to get involved in all aspects of the industry.

Hed Kandi is such an iconic brand. How do you think you contribute towards its success?

Ten years and its still going strong! I suppose it’s fair enough to say that I’ve represented the brand in Australia and New Zealand for many years. With my business partner Teko, we do a lot of work with the MOS crew on moving things onwards and upwards.

With Hed Kandi’s new home now at Zuri in Brisbane, what do you hope will happen to the Hed Kandi brand and to Jack McCord the DJ/producer as a result?

Zuri is such an amazingly beautiful venue – glamour and decadence to the finest detail – it should be the perfect home for Hed Kandi. Hopefully some of that glamour might even rub off on me!

With the launch of Hed Kandi this week in Brisbane, what can we expect on hear from you on the dancefloor?

For me personally, this is my first time to Zuri, so I’m well excited and looking forward to launching our new Brisbane home in true HK style. You know how we do it – sexy, main room vocal house music with plenty of surprises!

Jack McCord headlines the launch of Hed Kandi at Zuri Bar, Lounge & Dining on Friday October 30