By: Staff
Jack Willis released “Why Don’t You Love Me?” and when we heard it we wanted to learn more about the song and the courageous and inspiring mind behind it.
Every so often, a song comes along that reveals raw emotions and universal truths wrapped in unforgettable melodies. We are excited to introduce you to an artist whose debut single is set to captivate hearts and spark conversations.
Jack Willis, an emerging talent from Sydney (via New Zealand), steps into the spotlight with “Why Don’t You Love Me?”, a track as enigmatic as it is electrifying. At first listen, it pulses with groove-laden energy, but beneath the surface lies an unfiltered exploration of love, heartbreak, and the bittersweet complexity of human connection.
The song draws from an intensely personal chapter in Jack’s life, a time of freedom, firsts, and fleeting romance. Without giving too much away, imagine the thrill of young love; an intoxicating belief in forever, shattered by unexpected revelations. Jack’s introspective lyrics and masterful storytelling leave listeners wondering where their own feelings fit within the emotional landscapes the song paints.
With a full body of work on the horizon in 2025, Jack’s music isn’t just about rhythm, it’s about connection. Whether exploring identity, navigating LGBT relationships, or finding solace in shared vulnerabilities, this artist invites listeners to feel seen, heard, and understood.
Intrigued? You should be. To dive deeper into the story behind “Why Don’t You Love Me?”, and the journey that inspired it, read on for our exclusive interview with Jack Willis. You’ll discover the pivotal moments that shaped not only the song but also the artist poised to make waves in the electronic pop world.
Here’s how it went:
BEGIN INTERVIEW:
Hello Jack Willis, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more excited to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. Is your stage name your given name, and what led you to choose this method of connecting your artistry with fans?
A. Yes, my stage name is my real name. I’ve always thought my name sounded kind of popstar-ish, so I never felt the need for a stage name. My artist project is an extension of myself rather than a separate persona—it’s a collection of my innermost thoughts and feelings.
Q. "Why Don’t You Love Me?" is described as a deeply personal exploration of love and heartbreak, inspired by your move to Florida at just 18 years old. Can you share how that chapter of your life, with its mix of emotions and experiences, influenced both the song and your personal growth as an artist?
A. It’s surreal to think that this song is coming out now, just as I’ve turned 25. Looking back, I was a very isolated version of myself in high school—I didn’t know how to bring my own energy into the world. Moving to Florida for an internship was a turning point. It was my first time living away from home, gaining independence, and realizing that maybe I was someone who could be in a relationship. But with that came a lot of self-worth issues and confusion. From that it really affected my idea that I could potentially never be “liked” by another guy. I just had nothing to reference that this could be a reality for me. I didn’t realise I was gay until around 15/16 by that point it’s really hard because others are finding themselves in relationships and you haven’t even found yourself. So when I met this guy in Florida it just felt like all of my dreams alligning at once: working an absolute dream job, living in the US, making lots of new friends that like me for me and then having a guy that likes me! It was overwhelming. When I came back to New Zealand it was really hard to re-adjust to being back., I’ve kind of felt like my home city environment of Christchurch was working against me at times. It has a lot of homophobia, cold weather and a real lack of vibrancy. I really feel like your physical location matters a lot. Why Don’t You Love Me? was the first full song I ever wrote, and it helped me reclaim my identity. It’s an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in the past, trying to understand their emotions. The song shifts from frustration to validation, helping people move forward while honoring their experiences.
Q. The track balances vulnerability with infectious energy. Was it challenging to create a soundscape that reflects both heartbreak and a groove-laden vibe?
A. Oh, absolutely. I worked with an incredible producer, Will Henderson (based in Auckland), who has worked with artists like CHAII, YAHYAH, and Janine. I was nervous working with someone who had collaborated with such talented musicians, but I couldn’t have made a better choice. I came in with reference tracks, a sonic direction, and, of course, the melody and lyrics. We got on the same page quickly. From the second the song starts, it transports you to a beachy, romantic, and nostalgic place while telling a full story.
Q. Can you share more about the pivotal moments in your Florida romance, like the first kisses in the rain and trips to Disneyworld, and how they found their way into the lyrics?
A. Omg, this feels like the kind of conversation I have with my friends daily! One of my favorite lyrics is: "Even that one time, you dragged me through the Emporium, feeling all that euphoria, feeling that way in Florida." That line sums up the song. We went on Disney World dates, watched fireworks together, and ran through the Emporium while he held my hand tightly. It felt cinematic, like something out of a movie.In the music video, there’s a scene in a movie theater where we slowly move to hold hands. In real life, it took practically the entire movie for us to actually do it—though it’s a bit more sped up in the video, haha. My second single dives even deeper into the very first interactions and my inner monologue throughout the times we spent together. Stay tuned!
Q. There was a pivotal moment where the dream life you were in was shattered. The song explores the complexity of these unreciprocated feelings. What message or connection do you hope listeners take away from this?
A. Two months after I returned home, I got a message from him saying he was meeting up with his ex. I was devastated. Like, WHAT?! We had spent so much time together, shared such deep moments, and yet, he didn’t miss me the way I missed him? We had agreed not to continue things when I moved back, but 19-year-old me was certain it wasn’t over.I want people to use this song to heal from a two-month situationship or even a five-year relationship that left them feeling lost. This song validates emotions—it’s meant to be played when you're feeling down and when you’re ready to pick yourself back up again.
Q. As an artist with roots in both Australia and New Zealand, how have these music scenes influenced your style and approach to songwriting?
A. New Zealand has so much to offer in music, and I think it’s underrated. Many of my favorite artists are from here. Since moving to Sydney, I’ve been exploring the Australian music scene as well. Seeing local acts live has really shaped my taste and songwriting approach. I love when an artist lets you into their world, making you feel their story through their lyrics. That kind of honesty is something I always strive for in my own music.
Q. LGBT relationships and identity are key themes in your music. Why is it important for you to weave these perspectives into your work, and how have listeners responded to that?
A. Because I truly don’t think you can understand what it feels like to be LGBT unless you are. Being able to write something uniquely about my personal experience I believe is going to connect the most with an LGBT audience who has likely had similar experiences.
Q. This single marks the beginning of your journey toward releasing a full body of work in early 2025. Can you give us a sneak peek into what fans can expect from the upcoming project?
A. I’m so excited to put the full project out. It has taken years of crafting & developing my sound and making sure things felt completely right. You can expect an EP to release in the first quarter of this year and the only “sneak peak” I can give is “Why Don’t You Love Me?” is a very good indication of the sound of the EP.
Q. You’ve collaborated with producers from both Australia and New Zealand. How have those collaborations shaped your sound, and are there any standout moments from those partnerships?
A. It’s been a lot to be honest. It has at times been difficult to get the sound perfect to the way the songs sound in my head. The majority of Producers I've worked with have been excellent. You can tell they are so passionate about what they do and really do care about making sure at the end of the session we are both happy with what we’ve made. My favourite moment of a studio session is when I get to a point where I can hear that the music is starting to go in the right direction and it sort of activates my ideas of harmonies and extra little touches to add to the song. Once I’ve got to this point I know it’s right.
Q. The universal longing to be understood and loved is central to "Why Don’t You Love Me?" How do you think this theme resonates across different audiences and experiences?
A. Most people have felt themselves get lost, felt misunderstood and like they didn’t get a proper chance with a potential partner. It’s a universal experience to wonder why it didn’t work out and what that means for you as a person and does this mean you will never find someone who fully gets you enough to be with you long term. This goes through my head alot. Sharing my music makes me hope that others will connect to it the way Julia Michaels and Greyson Chance absolutely ran my spotify for the time after this experience.
Q. “Why Don't You Love Me?” captures such a raw feeling of emotion. With its high levels of anguish and emotion, how do you feel after performing this song, whether in the studio or live? Is it cathartic or draining, and how do you prepare for this emotional result?
A. Insanely cathartic. I feel like a different person now since writing this song. Even though I associate this song/project with one person I feel like I just can see it all now in such a good light. It helped me stand on my own two feet again and allowed me to figure out what I wanted at a young age.
Q. Looking back, how did returning to New Zealand and the subsequent heartbreak influence your perspective on relationships and your creative process?
A. It made it quite hard for me to trust but it gave me a vision of the way life could be and how exciting I could make it. I have continued to travel and be in pursuit of love despite my often emotionally challenging situations i’ve had over the years. I still have a lot of boy problems so I have plenty more songs to write and release.
Q. What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?
A. One of the hardest parts is opening up to these random strangers in order to get my project made. Stepping into a studio is completely unfamiliar territory and it makes me really doubt whether my ideas are good enough and/or make sense. Because my lyrics are so direct and honest I also am always like is this too much like am I just sharing unnecessary parts of my life.
Q. We feel like we have learned so much about you from this one song, and that’s such a great way to connect with fans. But what’s one fun or surprising fact about you that fans might not know?
A. I was born at 11:10 PM on January 6th, which means I’m a Capricorn with a Pisces Moon and Scorpio Rising—so basically, I’m ambitious but also deep in my feels at all times. I’m not really thaaaaat familiar with astrology but this pretty much sums me up hahaha.
Q. Lastly, if you could give one piece of advice to your 18-year-old self navigating those exhilarating yet heartbreaking moments, what would it be?
A. Get ready for a whole lot more similar circumstances and navigating the world. However trust that things do get easier, emotional intelligence gets higher and patterns become more transparent. You will get the opportunity to travel and find other places that become homely and welcoming. Your friends and closest family will truly be there for you and you can be totally honest without being ashamed. Final piece of advice, save more money so you can afford to make more songs.
Jack Willis, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Jack Willis’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!