Few acts move as effortlessly between vintage soul and future grooves as Newark’s own The Jack Moves. With their fourth studio album 'Love Machine' out now via Everloving Records, the duo of Zee Desmondes and Teddy Powell are chart new sonic territory; fusing 80s techno, post-disco, and retro R&B into a sound that feels both sweetly nostalgic and defiantly forward-thinking.
Produced in Mexico City by Adan Jodorowsky, 'Love Machine' is a cinematic deep dive into love, loss, and groove. The album is infused with a rich aesthetic that blurs timelines, creating what the group calls “funky soul marmalade and sweet electric jelly.” It’s music made for roller rinks, bedroom boomboxes, and neon-lit dancefloors, with just the right touch of heartbreak.
So with the new album out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them most over the years.
-
Hey guys, how’s things?
Zee: Great
Teddy: Good
What’s your earliest memory of making music?
Teddy: Making pause tapes then rapping over them with friends.
Zee: playing a guitar piece I made up for my mom and her friend in the living room one quiet night.
Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?
Zee: Dylan, Ye, Bowie, Marley, jimmy Page, Picasso, Miyazaki, Kubrick, Prince.
Teddy: It always changes but right now i like illegal by pinkpantheress and watermelon moonshine by Lainey Wilson.
How else do you find inspiration for your music?
Teddy: lately I get a lot of inspiration from my wife.
Zee: Just livin life, keeping my eyes open, staying curious and in awe. Being grateful for everything that’s going on.
What’s been your highlight for the year so far?
Teddy: Getting married.
Zee: Finding out I’m gonna have a baby.
What do you love about your Newark?
Zee: When I lived and worked there, it was like my batcave. Big affordable space, off the grid and allowed me to work and concentrate.
Teddy: I love newarks history. My family use to live there. I use to spend a lot of time at Newark symphony hall because my dad was a promoter and he would have shows there a lot.
What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?
Zee: Late night drive.
Teddy: Behind 7/11 drinking a 40
How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?
Teddy: Some people become more close minded and stuck in their ways as they get older. I think I’m doing the opposite and open to more things than when I was younger.
Zee: I’m less stubborn and narrow focused. Open to whatever may come.
Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?
Teddy: Would like to collab with the girl from the Maria’s.
Zee: Darkchild rodney jerkins.
How did you find making your new album ‘Love Machine’?
Zee: Swift. Focused and special. Being in Mexico working on the album was an incredible experience. We did the whole record in 20 days which was very unlike us.
Teddy: It was sick. Went down to Mexico City and worked with Adan Jodorowsky.
What message did you want to get across with this release?
Teddy: The message is fuck it. It’s a fight.
Zee: Not really a message but a desire to bring people with us as we explore new sounds and push ourselves to create original music.
What artist have you been listening to most recently?
Zee: Playboi carti, Isley brothers
Teddy: Ray Parker jr
What’s been your favourite live performance so far?
Teddy: Thalia hall in Chicago.
The lodge room in LA opening for Yellow Days.
Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?
Teddy: Rufus Thomas. Digital underground. Bad brains nyc.
Zee: Prince, Mobb Deep, Led Zeppelin in Japan.
Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?
Teddy: Get a good manager and lawyer.
Zee: Don’t get too caught up in the details. Get out into the world and play your music.
Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of the year?
Teddy: Honeymoon
Zee: Some more tour dates, pick up my Elliantte chain, and then I’m goin half on a baby.
-
The Jack Moves' new album 'Love Machine' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.