Fender Jackson

19/05/2026

https://youtu.be/K7k8rMV2XBw

After years as a rock musician and music teacher in China, Fender thought he’d do something different on The Ireland Podcast and talk about music theory.

This episode explores split chords (slash chords) and how artists like David Bowie, The Beatles and The Beach Boys used them to create emotional tension and atmosphere in songs such as God Only Knows, Life on Mars? and Where Are We Now?

Featuring live piano demonstrations throughout.

What are your favourite songs that use slash chords?

Why do songs by The Beatles, The Beach Boys and David Bowie sound so emotionally rich? One of the reasons is Split Chords (aka slash chords).In Part 1 of thi...

14/05/2026

A piano and vocal interpretation of “Sensitize”, composed by Ciaran McLaughlin and originally recorded by That Petrol Emotion from the album *Chemicrazy*.

I’ve used split chords throughout the arrangement - a technique I love for creating emotional tension and colour. One famous example of a split chord is on the opening of “The Long and Winding Road”. I was also thinking about songs like “God Only Knows” and David Bowie’s “Where Are We Now?” while arranging this version.

Steve Mack and I recently discussed these songs, harmony, and production on Episode 211 of The Ireland Podcast. Link in comments.

Piano, vocals, and production by Fender Jackson
Video by Salthill Media

22/03/2026

Covering N**e by Radiohead 🎸

Such a bleak song on the surface - fragile, exposed, almost uncomfortable in places. But underneath it all, the melody and chords are just gorgeous - even on a 35 Euro charity shop guitar!

That Amaj9 shape comes up again and again (A E G # B), and it gives the whole thing this dreamy, floating quality.

Then the Am pops up at the end setting the outro up with a glorious C Cadd11 Am7 Am6 before landing on the E. Sublime chord progression.

And the lyrics… depending on your mood, they’re either devastating or totally hilarious. Maybe both.

I should mention that I dropped the tuning of the guitar down a semitone, and I'm singing an octave below that. So I'm effectively singing the melody a minor 9th (13 frets) down from the original.

18/03/2026

What A Wonderful World

For Tom Russell.

Tom was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a musician, a photographer and a close family friend. Together Tom and I entertained people all over Europe with our music. Many happy memories. Condolences to Mairead, Tim Russell and Kathleen Russell and all the Russell family.

Rest In Peace dear Tom.

22/01/2026

A new conversation with Steve Vai is live.

Part One opens a short series marking the 40th anniversary of Album by Public Image Ltd.

In this episode, Steve talks about Frank Zappa, discipline, self-doubt, and how his musical instincts were formed long before PiL.

Part Two drops next week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbK2XdjZE1c

This episode forms part of a short series marking the 40th anniversary of Album by Public Image Ltd. Steve Vai’s contribution spans two episodes — this is Pa...

10/01/2026

“Where Are We Now?” performed by Fender Jackson on 16 January 2026: Ten years since David Bowie’s passing.

09/01/2026

The Man Who Sold The World.

01/01/2026

20/12/2025

All Of Me - written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons (1931).

I’ve taken Billie Holiday as my main influence for this version. I first fell in love with this song as a teenager after watching the film All of Me, starring Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin. It’s a song I keep going back to - a bit like Strange Weather by Tom Waits. Thankfully for me I have still yet to play my best version of each.

And I will keep digging for the gold.

10/12/2025

I am often asked, ”Do you never gig any more?” I explain that each night my kids pick a song and I pick one - that’s three in total. This was my choice tonight: ‘God’s Comic’ by Elvis Costello. The subject matter is quite dark but I love the melody and the chord structure. Do I never gig any more? I am playing the best gigs of my life. Every night.

Should I mention that i bought this guitar for €35? (That's about $40.) It sounds every cent of it - and it plays like a dog. But sometimes you have to take the song by the scruff of the neck and it doesn't matter what you do it on.