Stephan Jenkins is the lead singer and songwriter of the hugely popular alt rock band Third Eye Blind. Under his leadership, the band has sold over 8 million albums and produced hit songs like “Semi-Charmed Life” and “How’s It Going to Be.” Their EP, Red Star, has been released digitally and will be available on multiple platforms in the spring of 2009. In fact, some tracks are currently available on their MySpace page, and their tune “Non-Dairy Creamer” can be listened to by following this stream. Jenkins also produces music, including Vanessa Carlton’s second album, Harmonium, released in 2004, for which he also co-wrote four songs. And being a Californian, he also acts, appearing in film “Rock Star” in 2001. On the side, Jenkins happens to be really smart—he was class Valedictorian at the University Of California, Berkeley, graduating with bachelor’s degree in English Literature. When Big Think interviewed Jenkins in San Francisco earlier this week, he talked about the ways digital technology is helping musicians collaborate. For their new album, Ursa Major (to be released in Spring 2009), the band has been inviting musicians all over the world to mix tracks before they are released. As a result, says Jenkins, the album has evolved way beyond its original potential.
This interview is part of a series on BigThink, sponsored by Dell and Digital Nomads.
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It’s amazing that the Internet allows for such incredible collaboration across professions.
Really, really loved this. Excellent.
Jenkins’ comments on collaboration on a digital scale are spot-on. To think that this would have been possible just five years ago is crazy.
What a great clip, and what a great guy! I love that he is so down to earth, and his comments about accessibility are very true. I am not in his demographic, but I will be buying the new album.
In the past decade, I’ve been into music like The White Stripes, Gomez, MGMT, MC Solaar, Blackalicious, Cowboy Junkies, Ryan Adams, Josh Radin, Ray La Montaigne, MI5–in other words, divergent. I have always thought of Third Eye Blind as “pop” something not my cup of tea. I was wrong. Their new album is great — and actually when I gave them a real listen, so are some of their old songs. I applaud that they collaborated with other musicians on line. The possibilities of working together, across professions, with just an internet connection and a lap top, is kinda spectacular.
I don’t speak English so well, but wah I understand, I ilke this man and his music very much.
Also, I now just hear that he worked with other musicians on the Web. This is interesting.