Jack and Daisy: From Spanish Streets to Sunderland Stages – A New Chapter with Dave Stewart
We meet outside The Fire Station in Sunderland. Jack and Daisy are preparing for a milestone moment. Tonight, they’ll perform not once but twice on stage, first as a duo, then alongside Dave Stewart, the legendary Eurythmics co-founder, in his hometown. But their journey to this stage began far from the spotlight, in the sun-drenched corners of Spain, with acoustic guitars, lyrical instincts, and a shared creative spark.
Their new 4-track EP, released on Bay Street Records, marks a turning point. It’s a collection that captures their evolution, rooted in classic folk, yet unmistakably modern. And with two nights at The Fire Station, a UK tour underway, and a performance at Peace One Day on 21st September, Jack and Daisy are stepping into a new chapter with confidence and charm.
“We’ve been writing and performing together for six or seven years,” says Daisy. “It’s a 50/50 partnership. I tend to bring the lyrics, Jack brings the music. It just works effortlessly.”
Jack agrees. “I’ve been in other bands, but this is different. You don’t have to overthink it. If one of us isn’t feeling an idea, we move on. Daisy’s usually more blunt, she’ll just say, ‘Not doing that anymore.’”
Folk Roots, Modern Voice
I ask Jack and Daisy how they manage to keep their music feeling fresh while still echoing the timeless qualities of classic folk. Their sound draws comparisons to Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, and Simon & Garfunkel, but there’s something undeniably contemporary in what they’re doing.
“We’re inspired by those legends,” says Jack, “but we also love modern songwriters like Damien Rice and Gregory Alan Isakov. Sometimes we write something and think, ‘This feels a bit old.’ Not in a bad way, just maybe it won’t get the reaction we want. So we adapt.”
When I describe their music as timeless, Jack smiles and replies, “Thank you , timeless is a nice word.” It’s a fitting description for a duo whose songs feel both rooted and relevant, classic yet contemporary.
“Dave just got the vibe instantly,” adds Daisy. “He’d make gentle suggestions, and suddenly we’d realise that’s exactly what the song needed.”
From Car Sessions to YouTube Success
Their stripped-back car sessions, filmed in the boot of their car, have become a signature. What started as a practical solution (“We had nowhere to sit!”) turned into a charming series that built a loyal YouTube following.
“We’ve been doing those videos for about a year and a half,” says Daisy. “Every two to three weeks, we post something new. We’re up to about 30 now. It’s helped people connect with us in a really personal way.”
One of those videos, a Bob Dylan cover, unexpectedly gained traction three years after it was uploaded. That moment helped bring them to the attention of Allan James, former Eurythmics promoter and now their manager.
“Allan’s a genius,” says Jack. “We’d been working with him for a while, and one day he said, ‘I’m going to send this to Dave.’ They hadn’t spoken in 20 years, and Dave replied within a day.”
Performing Across Borders
Jack and Daisy have built a strong following in Spain, where they both grew up and have spent years performing together. During the summer months, they play almost every night, often to crowds of Dutch and German tourists who have a deep appreciation for English folk music. It’s a vibrant scene for covers and familiar tunes, and it’s how they’ve made their living.
“It’s definitely more touristy, especially in summer,” they explain. “There’s a good scene for that style.”
But when it comes to performing original material, the UK offers a more receptive space.
“When we want to do a full set of original songs, it’s harder to find the right crowd in Spain,” says Daisy. “That’s why most of our original sets happen in the UK.”
Jack adds, “We do have a loyal following in Spain, though. If they’re in England at the same time as us, they’ll come and see us. They’re really interested in what we’re doing.”
Barcelona (in the Rear View)
Their song “Barcelona in the Rear View” captures the emotional and creative shift that followed.
The first verse tells their story, travelling across Spain, searching for new audiences. The second verse reflects Dave’s own journey to New York.
“It’s about leaving where you started to go somewhere new,” says Daisy. “Dave shared stories about him and Annie, and we thought, that’s what we want. That’s how the song came together.”
He told us about driving two and a half hours to play a show where they performed “Sweet Dreams” and only 14 people showed up. No one applauded. Annie was close to throwing it all in"
Jack adds, “It was a moment of finding our direction. Dave helped us with that so much.”
Dave’s World – Mentorship, Magic and Kindness
Stepping into Dave Stewart’s world has been transformative for Jack and Daisy. From small gigs to festivals to working with a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, the experience has been full of surprises, not least how kind and welcoming everyone has been.
“We were told the music industry could be tough,” says Daisy, “but everyone we’ve worked with has been so supportive. It’s not what we expected but in the best way.”
Dave’s production style is subtle but powerful, adding layers without overpowering the core of their songs.
“We’d record the foundations in Spain, vocals, acoustic guitars, maybe bass and send them to Dave,” says Jack. “He’d send something back, and it always fit perfectly. His choices were sometimes strange, but they always worked.”
“His ideas are mad, but in the best way,” adds Daisy. “They’re so right, and yet only Dave would think of them.”
During our conversation, I described Dave as the master of joining dots. Jack and Daisy nod in agreement.
“Yes, sometimes he joins dots we haven’t even seen yet,” says Jack. “But they all make sense. That’s the magic of it.”
Dave’s mentorship has also reshaped their approach to songwriting.
“We were second-guessing every lyric,” Daisy recalls. “And Dave just said, ‘Guys, just write.’ That spontaneity, it’s changed how we work.”
“Don’t overthink it,” Jack adds. “That’s the biggest thing we’ve learned.”
SongBits – A New Way to Connect
Jack and Daisy are part of SongBits, a new platform created by Dave Stewart that allows fans to own a share of a song, including earning ongoing royalties. It’s a bold idea, and one they embraced immediately.
“We trusted it because it was Dave,” says Daisy. “Jack expands on the concept. “It’s not like Patreon or traditional crowdfunding,” he explains. “With SongBits, fans genuinely own a piece of the song. It’s never been done before. Every time they hear it, they know they’re part of it, and they can even see the royalty breakdown.”
It’s not the first time Dave has been ahead of the curve. He released the world’s first internet-only album, Sly-Fi, beating David Bowie by four weeks and everyone thought he was crazy!
“He’s always looking forward,” says Daisy. “Always thinking differently.”
On Tour and On the Rise
With their EP now available and a UK tour selling out nicely, Jack and Daisy are gaining momentum.
They’ll also appear at Peace One Day on 21st September, a global event promoting peace through music and activism, alongside Dave Stewart, Daryl Hall, Basement Jaxx and many many other artists reaching a global audience.
“We’ve gigged all over the UK,” says Jack. “Now we want to get to the States. We know there’s an audience there, it’s just a big leap.”
They are hoping an album is on the horizon too. When I suggest maybe recording in two different countries, Daisy smiles.
“Maybe we’ll do an A-side in one country and a B-side in another. I wonder if you could hear the difference!”
