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Draft:Jeff Draco

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Jeff Draco
Jeff Draco performs at 9:30 Club (2023)
Jeff Draco performs at 9:30 Club (2023)
Background information
Birth nameJeffrey William Gilman, Jr.
BornMarch 31, 2000 (age 24)
Mount Airy, Maryland, U.S.
GenresIndie pop · Dreampop · Surf Rock · Shoegaze
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, bass, piano, drums, tenor saxophone
Formerly ofSTRANGER
Websitejeffdraco.com

Jeffrey William Gilman, Jr. (born March 31, 2000), known by his stage name Jeff Draco[1][2], is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.

On May 31, 2024, Draco announced the upcoming release of his third EP, Attitude, and shared the title track, "Attitude (I Want More)."[3] Upon release, the song appeared on music blog aggregator Hype Machine's Popular Top 50, where it entered at #26[4]. The project was mixed and mastered by Patrick Kehrier[5][6], who won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards[5] for his work on "About Damn Time" by Lizzo.[5] Kehrier has also worked with American rock artists Paramore and Waterparks (band). Attitude will be released on September 13, 2024.[3]

Career[edit]

2008–2017: Early Days[edit]

Gilman began his musical journey at a young age.[1]

In 2017, Gilman adopted the stage name Jeff Draco[7], inspired by the Draco (constellation)[2] and the dreamier aspects of his music.

2017-present: Jeff Draco[edit]

In March 2018, Draco released his debut single "On My Mind." Leading to the September 2018 release of his debut album, Paradise, he released two additional singles, "Don't Keep Me Waiting Around" and "Paradise."

In September 2019, he released the single, "For Too Long," and followed a month later with the song "Same Bed." The singles led to Draco's 2019 Extended play (EP), 2101, which was released on November 15, 2019[7].

Draco continued to release a string of singles in 2020 and 2021: "Someone You Don't Need," "Last Night," "Losing My Mind (featuring Ben Beal)" and "Just to Make You Happy," a collaboration with Skate Stance. In summer 2021, Draco released the standalone single, "Dreamgirl."

In November 2021, Jeff Draco released the single "Fall For Another Day."[8] In February 2022, Draco released the single "Desiderium."[9] "Feel So Gold" arrived in May 2022. To support the singles, Draco partnered with DC9 Nightclub for a 3-show headlining residency[2].

On July 8, 2022, Draco released his second EP, Freezing in Hollywood[2], which explored themes of youthful naiveté and the emotional remnants of past relationships. That summer, Draco promoted the project by embarking on a U.S. East Coast tour with Vermont band Moxie. On October 27, 2022, Draco released a recorded live performance of the EP titled Freezing in Hollywood (Sunrise Sessions).[10]

Draco made his debut at 9:30 Club[11], supporting The Crystal Casino Band[11], on February 9, 2023. He released the song "Letters"[12] the following day, leading The Luna Collective to predict he's "on track to become the next household name in the indie music scene."[12]

In June 2023, Draco released the single "Never Gonna Be The Same"[2] and embarked on the Never Gonna Be The Same Tour [2] with stops in major markets such as Richmond, Charlotte, Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Wilmington[2]. The tour culminated in a hometown show at Union Stage[2]. Featured in Washington City Paper ahead of the tour[2], the newspaper noted Jeff Draco as "one of D.C.'s most popular indie artists."[2]

Draco headlined The Atlantis (music venue) on March 30, 2024, as part of the venue's Deep Dive Live series[13].

Personal[edit]

He is a 2022 graduate of University of Maryland, College Park[14], where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing. He has three older siblings and lives in Washington, D.C.

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]
  • Paradise (2018)
Extended Plays[edit]
  • 2101 (2019)
  • Freezing in Hollywood (2022)
  • Attitude (2024)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "New Noise: Jeff Draco". Wonderland. 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bedford, Dorvall (2023-06-07). "Indie-Pop Artist Jeff Draco Is Never Gonna Be the Same". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  3. ^ a b Moreno, Kayla (2024-05-31). "Jeff Draco Just Dropped His Indie Anthem "Attitude (I Want More)"". Get Some Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  4. ^ "Attitude (I Want More)". Hype Machine. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  5. ^ a b c "Patrick Kehrier | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  6. ^ Kehrier, Patrick (2024-05-31). "Patrick Kehrier Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  7. ^ a b Holden, Zack (2020-05-02). "Album Review: 2101 by Jeff Draco". Boxcar Collective. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  8. ^ Gross, Cynthia (2021-11-20). "Jeff Draco's 'Fall For Another Day' Is Love at First Listen". Alchemical Records. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  9. ^ Rosier, Lauren (2022-02-25). "Independent Maryland-area artist, Jeff Draco, releases new track, "Desiderium"". That Music Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  10. ^ Sterdan, Darryl (2022-10-27). "Jeff Draco Greets The Dawn With Freezing In Hollywood (Sunrise Sessions)". Tinnitist. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  11. ^ a b Hawk, Winter (2023-02-13). "Review: Jeff Draco shines at 9:30 Club with a 2000s West Coast vibe". The Diamondback. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  12. ^ a b Chase, Kate (2023-03-24). "Q&A: Indie Pop Newcomer Jeff Draco Talks DC Music Scene, Musical Influences & New Single "Letters"". The Luna Collective. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  13. ^ Qazi, Luna (2024-03-30). "Jeff Draco @ Deep Dive Live - Concert Preview". WGMU. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  14. ^ Gonda, Christopher (2021-12-14). "Geared Up: Jeff Draco Reflects on the Danelectro Billionaire Big Spender Spinning Speaker Pedal". V13. Retrieved 2024-06-09.