In February of 2020, one of our last performers to grace the Norwalk Dispatch was Jackamo.
They were just starting out and immediately felt like old mainstays. The optimism and excitement about what they would do and become was absolutely palpable in the room. Check out the full episode to hear the interview in it’s entirety, as well as an exclusive live performance.
Your harmonies are a real standout feature in your music. How did you two sisters develop that aspect of your songwriting?
Allie: We’ve been singing together since Tessa could probably talk, making songs our whole lives. Our dad played guitar all through our childhood, and we grew up watching movies like O Brother, Where Art Thou?, soaking in those old harmonies. [716.558 – 741.438]
Was there a particular moment when you realized your harmonies were something special?
Allie: When I turned sixteen, I got this old car from my dad’s dad—it was like a 1980 Sunbird. Not a Firebird—a Sunbird. It was this blue car where you had to roll the windows down by hand. There was no radio, the heat barely worked; honestly, I don’t even know if the lights worked properly. So many things were wrong with it. Sometimes I wondered if it even had wheels.
Tessa: It did have airbags, though!
Allie: Wait, it did? Oh my god, I don’t know. Anyway, I’d drive Tessa to school—in high school for me, middle school for her—in the freezing cold, coats fully on, and because we didn’t have a radio, we made our own entertainment. We’d just sit there and pick out harmonies from our favorite songs, singing back and forth, to school and from school.
Tessa: It was just fun for us. Then one day we drove a friend home, and jokingly we were like, “Hey, wanna hear our latest radio hit?” After we sang, he was just in awe. He said, “You guys are kidding, right?”
Allie: We were like, “No, this is literally what we do.” He thought it was incredible, and I think that was the moment when we realized we might have something special. [752246 – 864136]
Jimmy, you recently got a guitar with some history behind it. Has it influenced your songwriting?
Jimmy: Definitely. I just got a 1980 Guild D35, previously owned by Ryley Walker. He’s an amazing singer-songwriter from Chicago—great musician, fellow soul brother. I jokingly say I stole it after one of his shows. Well, basically, I kind of did—I just got a really good deal. But seriously, Ryley is a sweet guy, and it’s been working out great for our shows. It sounds sweet. There’s something in it, I’m telling you.
Allie: Watching Jimmy wait for this guitar was hilarious. Every day he’d come home and immediately ask, “Did it come yet? Is it here yet?” and I’d always say, “No,” and he’d just groan. Tess and I even planned to prank him when it finally arrived—
Tessa: Okay, Allie wanted to prank him. But the second I saw the guitar on the porch, I immediately texted Jimmy, “Don’t worry, it’s here! It’s here!”
Allie: It had finally made its way.
Tessa: And truthfully, even just seeing how comfortable he was playing it right away—you could tell it did something. It brought out this beautiful tone and made a difference.
Jimmy: Yeah, it was already broken in.
Allie: That same night, we wrote a brand-new song.
Jimmy: Definitely. Some guitars just have songs in them. [461062 – 556312]
Oh, he gave it up too early—left it with some juice. How does your songwriting process typically work as a trio?
Allie: It’s interesting because we each naturally contribute to different aspects. Tessa is always writing poetic lyrics, Jimmy’s always creating guitar licks, and I tend to focus on melodies and harmonies.
Jimmy: We’re three people with different musical backgrounds and ideas. Tessa could be a music director—she finds hits months before they break. Allie is melody-driven, and I come from a classic country background—three chords and the truth. Somehow, when we write together, it all becomes cohesive. [987.538 – 1124.240]
Do you ever run into conflicts when writing together?
Allie: Honestly, it never feels like a struggle. Each of us picks up on parts that maybe another is missing or isn’t feeling as much. We never really fight or get frustrated. It’s always encouraging, like, “That’s a great idea—let’s try it!” [987.538 – 1033.222]
How important has living together been for your creativity and songwriting?
Allie: Huge. Since moving to Hamtramck and being under one roof, the creativity and inspiration have really grown. Having the freedom to practice and write whenever we want, even late at night, has been amazing. [441.520 – 458.490]
You’ve been active in the Detroit music scene since you arrived. How important have local open mics been to your growth as artists?
Jimmy: Very important. We met Ryan Dillaha at the New Way Bar open mic in Ferndale, which led to playing his record release show. We’ve met so many amazing people through open mics—Mike Galbraith, Angie, Brian Reborn. These connections have shaped our experience in Detroit. [2576.900 – 2621.886; 2764.988 – 2772.800]
Ultimately, what’s your goal as songwriters and performers in the Detroit music scene?
Jimmy: Just to keep growing, keep writing songs that resonate with people, and continue being part of this incredible music community. We’re lucky to have found a supportive environment in Detroit and Hamtramck, and we want to keep contributing to it. [3121.150 – 3129.286]
