Jack Marton, the Venice-born singer-songwriter with a unique blend of European and American influences, released a fresh take on Mason Jennings‘ “Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor” on August 2nd, 2024. This collaboration brought together two distinct voices in the folk and acoustic scene, bridging the gap between Italy and the American Midwest.
Marton, known for his 2018 self-titled EP and the viral hit “Born to Be Free,” teamed up with singer-songwriter Mason Jennings to breathe new life into Jennings’ 2011 track. The duo didn’t stop there – they enlisted the talents of percussionist Adam Topol, best known for his work with Jack Johnson, to add a rhythmic dimension to the song.
The reimagined “Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor” represents a significant milestone in Marton’s career, forging a closer connection with Jack Johnson‘s label, Brushfire Records. This collaboration places Marton alongside esteemed artists such as Mason Jennings, Adam Topol, Matt Costa, Zach Gill, and Donavon Frankenreiter, who have all been part of the Brushfire Records family.
In a January Facebook post, Marton hinted at this exciting project, expressing his gratitude to fans and enthusiasm for working with Jennings and Topol. “I’m honored to tell you that over the past few years, besides working on solo songs, I had the privilege and the thrilling experience to work on new music collaborating with the singer-songwriter Mason Jennings and with the percussionist Adam Topol,” he wrote, building anticipation for the release.
Marton described the reimagined track as having a “totally different arrangement, which results in a different vibe/mood.” He credited Topol’s rhythmic contributions for this shift, noting that the percussionist’s work “reminds a lot of what he did with Jack Johnson and/or Zach Gill in several songs.” The result was a ‘happier’ sound with dry, natural tones.
Listen to his songs on Spotify.
Lyrically, the song remained true to Jennings’ original composition. The poetic verses paint a vivid picture of domestic bliss and profound connection.
“Raindrops on the kitchen floor
And the curtain is blowing where the windows open
Your arms wrapped around my neck
And the kitchen sink is just overflowin’…”
The chorus reinforces the theme of destined love:
“And you know that it’s true
This heart was made for you…”
These lyrics, combined with the new arrangement, created a perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh energy.
The collaboration wasn’t just a one-off project. Marton also recorded a new original track titled “I Saw You Dancing,” again featuring Adam Topol on percussion, set for release on September 2nd, 2024. Both tracks were produced by Marino De Angeli, who discovered Marton’s talent in 2016 and has been instrumental in shaping his sound.
Marton’s journey to this point has been as diverse as his musical influences. Born to Italian and Hungarian parents, he grew up across Europe before landing in California to complete his schooling. This multicultural background, combined with his exposure to American teachers who introduced him to traditional Americana music, helped shape his unique sound and accent.
His style, which he describes as folk and neo-mellow influences, was refined through years of listening to vinyl records and playing old acoustic guitars. This dedication to his craft caught the attention of De Angeli, leading to recording sessions that would eventually result in Marton’s 2018 EP.
With the release of “Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor,” Marton aimed to capture what he calls the “simple joys of life.” He explained, “What I try to do is crystallize the simple joys of life in music and record it at my home studio on rainy days. This simplicity, authenticity, and purity are what I try to communicate.”
The track, along with “I Saw You Dancing,” was recorded across several studios in Venice, Southern California, and Seattle, reflecting the international nature of the collaboration and Marton’s own split time between northern Italy and Southern California.
For fans of Mason Jennings, Marton’s version of “Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor” offers a familiar yet fresh listening experience. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration in music, bringing together diverse influences to create something truly unique.
As we look forward to the release of “I Saw You Dancing” in September, it’s clear that Jack Marton is an artist to watch. With his multicultural background and dedication to acoustic craftsmanship, Marton is carving out a distinctive place for himself in the world of folk and acoustic music.
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Published by: Nelly Chavez
