Melanie Rooten December 23, 2022, 2:38 PM
At just 15 years old, it is clear rising actor AND singer Jackson Dollinger has a bright future ahead!
Aside from starring in hit shows like Sydney to the Max on Disney Channel and Life by Ella on Apple TV+, Dollinger has a budding music career that you need to stay on the lookout for.
Last month, he released “an upbeat pop song” titled “One and Only,” which is available to stream on all platforms. According to Dollinger, the track is about “being by yourself and missing a person you felt complete with. The song can also be interpreted as a story about taking some time after a breakup and missing the feeling of being in a relationship.”
Something very unique about Dollinger’s music career is that his tracks are self-made! “I produce, write and record my own music in my home studio,” he revealed to us, which is incredibly impressive for such a young artist.
While Jackson is really hitting his stride surrounding his music career, he still is very involved in the acting scene. After starring as the skateboard-loving Young Max in Sydney to the Max, Dollinger landed another role on Disney Channel in the upcoming series Pretty Freekin’ Scary, which is set to premiere in summer of 2023.
Based on the book series of the same name, this new show is sure to be a hit, and we can’t wait to see Dollinger thrive in yet another new role.
Read our full Q&A with Jackson Dollinger below, where we chat about all things acting AND singing, and be sure to connect with Jackson Dollinger on Instagram at @jacksondollinger to stay tuned on any upcoming projects.
Let us know what you think of the rising star by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
Celeb Secrets: For people who may only know you from starring in shows like Sydney to the Max, can you explain your musical style and a little bit about who you are as an artist?
Jackson Dollinger: “I would describe my sound as melodic, warm and natural. I also produce, write and record my own music in my home studio.”
CS: How does working in the music industry compare to working in the movie/TV industry?
JD: “Well, in the TV/movie industry, the director makes most of the creative decisions. When I have a question about a particular line, I give them options and ask them how they would like me to play it. In music, I make all of the decisions.”
A post shared by Jackson Dollinger (@jacksondollinger)
CS: Your new single “One and Only” came out on November 11th. Can you tell us a little bit about the story behind the track?
JD: “’One and Only’ is an upbeat pop song about being by yourself and missing a person you felt complete with. The song can also be interpreted as a story about taking some time after a breakup and missing the feeling of being in a relationship.”
CS: “One and Only” was written, recorded AND produced by you. How was your experience independently creating the track? Did you like having some more creative freedom?
JD: “‘One and Only’ was created in my home studio about a year and a half ago when I had just turned 14. I actually made the beat and recorded the first verse and the pre-chorus before I added the hook about a month later. I love music because I have complete creative freedom to make whatever my heart desires.”
A post shared by Jackson Dollinger (@jacksondollinger)
CS: During the COVID-19 quarantine, you created music in isolation in your home studio. What was that experience like?
JD: “During quarantine, I wasn’t working on Sydney to the Max and had a lot of hours to burn. I decided to be productive and work on my music every day. I found out that music was a way for me to get my emotions out. It was actually very therapeutic. After months and months of working every day, I chose the songs I wanted to share on my first EP and that is how Social Isolation was born.”
CS: What does the process look like when you create a song, in general? Are there any quirks to your method?
JD: “I always start off with the beat, which could be produced by me or someone else. Next, I lay down one long take of ‘melodic mumbling’ over the entire length of the beat, and I use that to choose the vocal melodies that I want to use for each part of the song. Then, I fill in these mumbles with lyrics, and I am left with a song! That is a loose outline of my process, but I am constantly switching up little things to keep it fresh.”
CS: You wrote this song when you just turned 14 years old. Have you grown as an artist since then?
JD: “Definitely. I work on music everyday and I’m still constantly learning new things. My voice has gotten deeper and my production and songwriting skills have improved tremendously. My singing skills have also reached a new level, and I can’t wait to share the new music I have been working on. I feel like I improve every time I open my laptop.”
CS: You started creating music at such a young age. Do you have any advice for young singer/songwriters wanting to dive into the music industry but just afraid to take that leap?
JD: “I would say that there are literally no rules and you should just go for it! All you need is a laptop and some free time to get started.”
CS: What stories do you want to tell through your songs in the future, and what message do you want fans to take away from your music?
JD: “I want my music to be very relatable and resonate with my supporters on a personal level. I hope my music can brighten their day as well.”
CS: Who/What are some of your musical inspirations either artist-wise or in your personal life?
JD: “Some of the artists and producers that inspire me are Juice WRLD, Nick Mira, Justin Bieber, Iann Dior, Dro Kenji, and Machine Gun Kelly. I’m currently very inspired by the underground and hyperpop sound, which is prevalent in some of my unreleased music.”
CS: Who is your dream collaboration?
JD: “I would love to collaborate with Glaive because I feel like our sounds would mesh well together, and he seems like a very cool guy!”
CS: Can we expect an album soon?
JD: “I have enough songs to put together a strong album, but I think I want to keep writing and continue dropping more singles.”
A post shared by Jackson Dollinger (@jacksondollinger)
CS: Aside from making new music, I know you are a part of the new Apple TV+ series Life by Ella. Can you tell us a little bit about the show?
JD: “Life by Ella is a story of a teen girl named Ella who has cancer and comes out on the other side of treatment with a new lease on life. My character, Gavin, encourages her to have a positive mindset and shows her how to make the best out of her time in the hospital. Life By Ella is streaming now on Apple TV+.”
CS: Can you tell us more about your character Gavin, and what it was like playing this role?
JD: “I’m so glad I got the opportunity to showcase another side of my acting in Life by Ella. Gavin is already undergoing treatment for cancer when Ella gets to the hospital to start her journey. I teach Ella that you have to make the best out of being in the hospital because you can’t change it. I show her that the hospital can be a ‘Prison or Palace,’ hence one of the episode names.”
A post shared by Jackson Dollinger (@jacksondollinger)
CS: What’s next for you not only singing-wise, but acting-wise, as well?
JD: “I am currently working on Pretty Freekin’ Scary, a new Disney Channel series that will debut in the summer of 2023. I also plan on releasing many more singles in the very near future.”
CS: Do you have any goals for yourself in 2023 career-wise?
JD: “I would love to act in a movie, and also score a film or show.”
CS: Lastly, since we are Celeb Secrets, do you have any secrets about either yourself or your music that fans might not know?
JD: “Something that people might not know about me is that I am a straight A student, and I have never gotten a B on a report card.”
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Melanie is has been an intern at Celeb Secrets since May of 2022. Born and raised in Orange County, California, she is currently a senior at the University of Oklahoma. Studying public relations with minors in both digital marketing and Spanish, Melanie dreams of working in the music/entertainment industry full-time after college. During her free time, she loves going to concerts, binging her favorite TV shows, spending time with her friends and family, and cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners.
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