John Jauch is a singer/songwriter and a veteran of the Chicago indie music scene.
His band, The Hawthorne Effect, not only kicks some rock and roll ass but with in-depth songwriting consisting of various layers; you will find something new each time you listen through.
We were fortunate enough to grab this [great and in-depth] interview with the man himself, Mr. John Jauch.
Let’s break the ice. Who are you? Where are you from? And what style of music do you create?
Basically, my name is John Jauch and I am a singer/songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. Currently, I write, sing, and play guitar for The Hawthorne Effect. We are a bar rock band at heart, but we are also known to show our softer side now and then.
So the Hawthorne Effect is when an object changes its behavior when it has knowledge of being observed… What led you to choose this as the band name? (I really dig it by the way.)
Thanks. One of the main reasons I chose the name was because it perfectly allows me to integrate my creative and academic lives. During the day, I work as a psychotherapist and pharmaceutical researcher. Regardless of whether I’m administering a psychological test or conducting psychotherapy, I have to be aware that my presence has an impact on the way my clients think, feel, and respond. Every day I witness the effects of observation and to this day I am still amazed at how powerful it is. To me “The Hawthorne Effect” doesn’t just represent why we act differently when we know we’re being watched. It represents the power observation has on our collective lives and the world around us.
According to W.I.B. Beveridge, author of “The Art of Scientific Observation”, observation is not merely passively watching, but is an active process and I completely agree. As human beings we are learning machines, naive scientists if you will, and the only way we can learn about ourselves and the world around us by observing. Although we observe and are observed all day long, few of us actually realize how it affects how we think and behave. In order to observe we must first attend and much of what we do and don’t do is governed by how others attend to us. Being observed or attended to, especially in childhood, is a basic human need; we require it. Even if all of our physical needs are met consistently we all have a strong need to attach and connect. Not only is getting attention crucial to our development, but research has concluded time and again that getting attention is the motivation behind many of our behaviors and is the most powerful reward we can get. Increases in attention lead to increases in the frequency of the behavior that immediately preceded it and the opposite is also true.
Consider the stressed, ignored, or neglected child who tirelessly acts out in spite of losses of freedom and privileges and even after punishment. It usually begins with a lack of appropriate parental attention or a stressful situation. The child will then experience frustration, tension, and/ or stress eventually leading to attempts to discharge it. If the child is unable to get attention from others in an appropriate way he or she may become frustrated and begin acting out. If attention is given for the inappropriate behavior, like an intense emotional reaction, that inappropriate behavior will increase. If attention is pays out like a slot machine, at a variable rate and interval, which is often the case, it becomes addictive and the very behavior the yelling meant to curb is now compulsive. You can imagine how it continues from there. It’s a vicious cycle. As you can see attention is a powerful motivator.
Some adolescents who struggle with stress or mental illness will self-injure themselves in places that can be readily seen to decrease tension while serving as a signal for attention when they are unable to ask for it. In many ways our need for attention is like our need for food; if we are starving we will eat almost anything and may eventually do self-destructive things to get fed.
On a more positive note have you ever noticed how a child, friend, spouse, or loved one lights up if we notice and compliment him or her on a job well done, lost weight or a new haircut? More importantly have you seen how upset they get if we fail to do so? We are social beings and need to be seen.
Observation doesn’t just affect people. Experiments in quantum physics conclude that matter acts like a wave and exists as the sum of all the adjacent possibilities until observed. To put it simply, even small particles like electrons react differently when observed or measured. You can find a great explanation here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfPeprQ7oGc. Prior to observation an electron exists everywhere and nowhere simultaneously. However, during and after observation it only follows one course of action and exists in one location in space and time. The most mind blowing part to me is that electrons don’t have a brain or eyes, but can somehow sense our attention and behave differently. Our universe is aware and responds to our awareness of it. (Cue sound of head exploding.)
Lastly, and probably the most relevant reason for the band name is that it reflects how observation has contributed to the process of creating the album. As a mental health professional, I have joined many families and have lived many lives through the sessions with my clients. I feel honored and privileged to have had access to each person’s story as well to their innermost thoughts and feelings. I have heard stories of abuse, addiction, and loss and have learned that one of the most disturbing aspects of their traumas, was that they went through the experience alone. Although, people may have physically been present around them, more often than not, no one saw it happen, nobody believed them, or in one way or another they were led to believe they shouldn’t talk about it. Understandably, many blamed themselves for their needing attention, became ashamed of their needs, and kept it all a big secret. Although no one can undo the past harm caused by these traumatic experiences, I have found that by simply listening and observing them with my undivided attention as they recall and re-experience these events, my presence has a healing effect.
One of the greatest gifts I can give is to bear witness to their story of being alone, to observe them as they experience their past with them in the present, to simply be here and now. There are sessions where I have said no more than ten words and although I felt that I was not doing much, I was thanked and later told how healing it was.
I enjoy my work immensely and since I am an empathic person, I internally react to what I see and hear. The stories influence me. They stir up thoughts, memories, and emotions on many levels. To this day, I often return home after work and find myself drawn to my guitar. I would just start strumming and a song would just start writing itself. Most of the time I had no intention of writing or knew what I would write about, but rather I stumbled onto what I thought was a random words and a melody and did not always understand why. It just felt right and sounded good to me, so I kept going. I really wasn’t thinking or planning anything. They just happened. It was only later that I found that each song represented something deeper in me, stories I’ve heard, and the way I see in the world.
Many times people have asked me what certain songs are about and it’s complicated. Some people have had very specific interpretations and that’s cool too. I encourage everyone to look deeper and to find their own interpretations. The best way I can attempt to explain the meaning behind the songs is that they have many meanings based on of stories about me, others, a group of people, and a theme. At first they may appear very simple on the surface, but I assure you it doesn’t stop there. Many of them started as automatic, but slowly they evolved into something even bigger. Each song is a representation of parts of me observing myself, others, and the world around me. They also serve as a projective test, an invitation to share in my continual experiment of waking up, and to appreciate the process of trying to understand the mystery and the source behind the power of observation, hence the name “The Hawthorne Effect”.
You have been part of the Chicago music scene for at least a decade at this point. Tell us a little about it. Who are some others you work with?
For most of my music career I played bass and sang for Smoke Off Vinyl (2000-2007). We started as an indie rock three piece and slowly evolved to a five piece. We played a ton of gigs and had a lot of fun. Seven years and four CD”s later, we decided to part ways. Sure we had some success as a band, got some songs on TV and radio, but it was time for a change. Shortly after that, I started jamming with some other friends and formed “Killing the Enemy” (2007-2009), a Chicago based blues rock band. I focused more on the bass on this project and did some vocals as well. We had some crazy good times and wrote some good music too, but as time went on I started realizing more and more, I was moving in a different direction and it was time to start working on songwriting.
In 2009 I started working with producer and engineer, Scott Fritz, over at Stranded on a Planet and I’ve been working with him ever since. We are fortunate to have him on lead guitar as well.
Who or what influences your playing and writing style?
There are so many bands that have influenced me it would be hard to mention them all.
Right now I would say it’s a combination of blues, classic, 80’s, 90’s and indie rock. There’s a classic rock vibe to most of our tracks, and that is no accident. We try to stick to the roots if you know what I mean.
What music did you listen to when you were younger? What do you listen to now?
When I was younger a combination of 70’s gold, Johnny Mathis, and Kenny Rogers was forced upon us all by my mom. My dad would listen to the radio now and then, and when he did, it was mostly what we now call classic rock, but as I said, it wasn’t much.
I grew up in a relatively strict religious home, so all music and other media had to be screened and deemed appropriate before we were allowed to observe it. The first album I was allowed to buy was Thriller and that tape got some serious wear. I remember my parents were somewhat conflicted at first over whether the video for Thriller was satanic or not. I guess it wasn’t… or was it. 😉
As I got older I started borrowing music from friends and got better at keeping the “dark stuff” on the down low. Rule number one, use headphones and hide artwork, especially if had pagan symbolism, gore, or soft porn on it. There was no internet back then, so all the music we got was from the radio or from word of mouth, so having a good network of well-rounded friends was key. It was those friends who started turning me on to more obscure stuff and helped me refine my musical palate. When I got old enough I got a job and was able to purchase any music I wanted and it was a lot.
I did the whole 80’s rock, alternative/grunge, indie rock progression and now I have been listening to a lot of Butch Walker, Shovels and Rope, Muse, Rolling Stones, and Black Angels.
What role is the Internet/social media playing in promotion and connecting with fans? Is it helping? Hurting?
I think it’s mixed bag. Supply is high and demand is high, so value is low. The internet is full of bands trying to get a listen. Music as a whole has been devalued. There are millions of bands on every social media and music site posting and blogging saying the same thing: “Check out my band.”. After thousands of posts and requests it’s no wonder that people stop noticing them or just click like and move on. Don’t get me wrong, people still enjoy and want music, they just have an endless supply and don’t have to move anything but their fingers to get it. No investment, no commitment, NSA baby. It’s hard to make a real connection.
In spite of that unfortunate side effect, I do like the fact that anyone regardless of their location or financial situation (provided they have internet access and a compatible device to use it) can find and listen to our music. The majority of our listeners come from other countries. If the songs weren’t digitized and available online, THE music would have probably never gotten that far without spending some serious cash.
I’ve heard some musicians claim that the internet has ruined music and we’d be better off without it. Some even say that they don’t care if anyone listens and the music is only for them and that’s cool. However, I believe on some level they’re lying to themselves. I just wonder why they burned hundreds or thousands of discs, pressed vinyl, played shows, or posted recordings online if they don’t care? There is no other point to doing all that if it was really just for them. Otherwise they would just stick to the garage and maybe hit a studio now and again to record a nice shiny version of their new tracks for their iPods and leave it at that. What I really think is that some people don’t like where music is going and prefer to blame other reasons for why their music does not catch on. Good music doesn’t always catch on, but I don’t think making it harder to find will solve the problem.
To me, one of the reasons I write and record music is to connect with people. Although it has its cons, like piracy, streaming sites instead of downloads, and oversaturation, I see the internet as a positive thing that provides every musician with a potential global audience. At least then the playing field is leveled a bit, so we don’t have to rob a bank or sell our souls to get it out there. I think it’s good that we have a portal that makes our music easily available to everyone everywhere and I hope that of the potential billions of listeners, many will listen and of the many some will connect and make some of our music a temporary part of the ever changing soundtrack of their lives.
I can’t really say that I’ve had a bunch of people come up to me after a show saying that they were there because of an email or blog post, but I still think it helps spread the word. I am yet to figure out what a “like” on Facebook or a “follow” on Twitter really means, but to be honest; I appreciate them as long as it’s not some diabolical plan to unleash spam about weight loss pills or male enhancement drugs on our page.
Is there one thing you wish you knew when you first started that you could share with aspiring musicians/songwriters now?
First enjoy what you do, do it well, and keep doing it. If you’re not having a good time or it’s not fun, you may want to change something or stop doing it.
There is no real formula for success. Do it your way, but don’t be too proud to consider taking some advice now and then.
Slow and steady keeps you in the race and don’t quit your day job just yet because it’s a marathon not a sprint.
It’s very possible that you might wind up putting more money into music than you’ll get out. The odds of getting signed to a major label are like winning the lottery. The odds of having a hit record after that is like winning it a second time. As I stated don’t quit your day job and above all, relax, have fun, and don’t take yourselves too seriously. I’ve watched too many friendships end over silly arguments about musical direction or other minutia.
If you sing stop smoking and take it easy on the booze. It’s good advice even if you’re not singing. Water is a friend especially the day before and of a show. Lift your soft palate on your soft A’s, breathe from your diaphragm, and don’t be afraid to belt it out.
If you can’t finish lyrics or a part of a song, don’t force it. Take your time.
Produce your music well and get it copyrighted and licensed. Song placements on TV shows, commercials and films have made many great bands who they are today. Don’t forget to register with ASCAP and BMI.
Did I mention have fun?
How has the process of surviving as a musician changed over the past 10 years?
I write and play for mostly pleasure now. I care less about what people think. I never really thought me and my fellow band mates were going to get the mega record deal, but I always hoped it would happen like a dream cautiously playing itself out in the back of my mind. Presently, it’s more about enjoying the creative process, self-expression, good friends and having a great time. I also appreciate the connections more. The shows are more about friends coming together and having another reason for all of us to be in the same place together and get a little crazy. I highly recommend it.
Where can we buy the album? Where can we connect with you?
You can pretty much get “Awakefulsleep” anywhere online.
It’s cheapest on bandcamp: http://thehawthorneeffect.bandcamp.com/
But we’re also on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/awakefulsleep/id543702382
Physical copies of “Awakefulsleep” are available on CD Baby and Amazon.
If you’d like to chat or pay us a visit you can find us at www.thehawthorneeffectmusic.com or www.facebook.com/the373.
Do you actively gig? Can we catch you on tour any time soon?
Yes, indeed we do. We have slowed down a bit since we have a new drummer joining us, so we’ve been focusing on getting him up to speed. We haven’t quite gone through as many drummers as Spinal Tap yet, but it’s getting close. We’ve been lucky to have some amazing guys like Joe Babiak (www.joebabiak.com) and Tyson Ellert (www.tysonellert.com) to play with us and I assure you they are all still alive and doing well. We should be good to go again by May/June.
We mostly play out in Chicago and the Midwest and we’re excited to be playing a few sets at the Beaver Island Music Festival in Michigan this July. There are some more festival gigs in the works as well, so be sure to check the website or join the mailing list for updates and details.
Any last thoughts or shout outs?
Just like to thank you Joshua and Middle Tennessee Music for giving us a spin and for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me today. Cheers!
