Inside the World of South Africa’s Jackson Colt: Craft, Guitar, Storytelling, and the Road Ahead

By Megan Routledge | The Sound Cafe Journal

Jackson Colt is a South African rock artist whose catalogue has developed with real intention, moving from the guitar-driven, 80s-rooted energy of 'Poison' and 'Angels of Rock', through the radio breakthrough of 'Echoes', into the more expansive terrain of 'Monsoon', 'Shake Your Body', and the symphonic gothic intensity of 'Van Helsing'. Along the way, working with artists like Dale Schnettler and Mark Haze has helped shape a body of work that feels less like a string of singles and more like a continually unfolding artistic identity, built on musicianship, narrative, and the willingness to push beyond genre limits.

Q: To begin at the beginning, what first pulled you toward guitar and rock music, and how did South Africa shape you as a musician before the wider industry ever knew your name?

A: I grew up in a house that played classic rock. My family would play old records by bands like CCR, Deep Purple, and AC/DC, among others, and I would listen in amazement. Those records made me want to pick up a guitar and play. Being in South Africa, we grew up with different genres and styles of music that are rhythm-based, and I feel that some of my groove-based songs, such as 'Reckless Love', 'Shake Your Body', the verses in 'Strangers', and 'Sweet Lovin' Woman', have been influenced by the incredible traditional rhythmic music I heard growing up in South Africa.

Q: Jackson Colt has always felt bigger than a simple artist name because it carries a very specific sound and identity. How do you define Jackson Colt today, and how has that definition changed since the earliest recordings?

A: Thank you so much. I feel like Jackson Colt will always have a classic rock identity at its core. As time has gone by, the idea of bringing other genres in to blend with the 80s rock sound has grown, but no matter what song I have written over the years, it has always had the glam and hair metal ideology of the 80s at the core of the composition.

Q: Your music is rooted in 80s-inspired rock, yet it never feels like pure nostalgia. What is it about that era, those records, and those guitar heroes that still feels creatively alive to you now?

A: The raw energy of the 80s is something that gets my heart racing. The focus on melody and the virtuosic guitar playing is what drew me to the sound. You can sing along to every song and air guitar every riff and solo.

Q: When you released 'Poison' and 'Angels of Rock' in 2021, what story were you trying to introduce to listeners, and what did those songs reveal about the artist you intended to become?

A: I feel that both songs define the starting point of my recording journey. Both songs introduced the 80s rock sound that Jackson Colt was always envisioned to have, as well as guitar solos that showcase the guitar-driven side of the music and my love for the instrument.

Q: 'Echoes' became a major milestone for you, including a strong run on the South African charts. Looking back, why do you think that song connected so strongly, and what did that moment teach you about your audience?

A: The song is about dealing with loss and accepting that change is a part of life. Every single person will experience change and loss on their journey through life, and I feel like 'Echoes' is a song that allows listeners to feel safe during that change and realise that it is natural, and that they are not alone in going through it. It taught me how important a message is in a song. Having a song that can connect with a listener is what makes the song memorable to them.

Stream 'Echoes' hypeddit.com/jacksoncolt/echoes

Q: In 2023 you delivered 'Strangers', 'Reckless Love', and 'Fallen Angel', all of which show different sides of your writing. How did that period help you refine your voice as a songwriter, and what emotional territory were you most interested in exploring?

A: I feel that previously being in the studio with 'Poison' and 'Angels of Rock' helped me understand what I wanted for these three releases. I was entering a sophomore period of recordings and wanted to expand my sound and songwriting. 'Strangers' is melodically focused, 'Reckless Love' focuses on groove, and 'Fallen Angel' brings in the piano and a ballad side to my writing. I feel that these releases allowed me to delve into darker emotional areas such as failed relationships, depression, being judged, love, and fate.

Q: 'Fallen Angel' has a powerful sense of narrative and emotional release, especially in the way the solos mirror the character’s journey. How did you approach writing a song where the guitar had to speak as clearly as the lyric?

A: Getting lost in the solo and feeling it is important when conveying emotion in a guitar piece. For 'Fallen Angel', each solo was originally completely improvised, with the intention of each side of the story in mind. The first solo is more rapid and represents her hardships and pain in life, while the second solo is smoother and more uplifting to represent her ascending out of darkness and depression, as if she has gained her wings again.

Stream 'Fallen Angel' hypeddit.com/jacksoncolt/fallenangel

Q: 'Reckless Love' brought a more direct rock energy, but still with a polished melodic centre. What did you and Dale Schnettler set out to capture in that recording, and how did the collaboration push the song beyond a basic rock single?

A: The song is very groove-based, and I feel that having Dale's expertise in rhythm and grooves really took it to the next level. We wanted the song to have a bouncy feel to it, and I think the syncopation between the drums and guitars created that nicely.

Q: 'Strangers' has a strong visual and emotional storyline, with the idea of two people finding each other in darkness. How important is narrative world-building in your songs, and do you usually start with a lyric, a riff, or a feeling?

A: It is very important to create a narrative in a song. I feel that creating a world allows the listener to become part of something and escape reality. Music can take you to other worlds that you design in your mind. Only you can see them. Inspiration and the starting point for a song can come from anywhere. Each song is different and could begin from literally anything. I see each song as a different colour and try to match the music, lyrics, and feeling of that song to its unique colour.

Stream 'Strangers' hypeddit.com/jacksoncolt/strangers

Q: 'Monsoon' sits in a very different lane because it is an instrumental built around guitar technique, dynamics, and contrast. What made you want to make a piece that relies on the instrument itself to tell the story, and how did techniques like multi-finger tapping and sweeping arpeggios shape the result?

A: I wanted to write a song where my guitar playing had the chance to tell a story. I was a guitarist before I was a singer or songwriter, and I felt that I owed the guitar a chance to take the spotlight. Creating an instrumental song allowed me to delve into a more technical side of my playing and showcase some techniques that I have been working on for many years, such as multi-finger tapping.

Q: The title 'Monsoon' suggests calm, turbulence, and a kind of elemental force. Was the track designed as a technical showcase first, or did the emotional concept always come before the mechanics of the playing?

A: The song originated from the main melody while I was sick with a fever a few years ago. It was completely an emotional concept. I did not know back then whether it would become an instrumental or a lyrical song. I feel that, as time passed, the natural progression of the song evolving into an instrumental was the right choice.

Stream & Watch 'Monsoon' hypeddit.com/monsoon

Q: 'Shake Your Body' leaned into a more danceable rock and party-driven energy. How do you decide when a Jackson Colt song should stay heavy and guitar-led, and when it should open toward groove, rhythm, and crossover appeal?

A: 'Shake Your Body' allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and taught me to focus on what a song needs instead of trying to make everything heavy and guitar led. The most important thing for a song is to make it the best version of itself that it can be. In the case of 'Shake Your Body', it was always meant to have that 80s dance crossover to make it shine.

Stream & Watch 'Shake Your Body' hypeddit.com/shakeyourbody

Q: 'Van Helsing' is perhaps your most cinematic and dramatic release so far, with symphonic gothic rock, choir, organ textures, and a darker visual world. What drew you into that sound, and what did you want the listener to feel when they entered that universe?

A: I have always been a fan of gothic music and literature. I have also loved reading and learning about the supernatural. I have been wanting to make story-driven songs where not only the lyrics convey the song's idea, but the music does as well. If you were to listen only to the music, it could still tell the story and set the location and world in your mind without a single word being sung. I want listeners to feel as if they are entering a different reality, much like watching a film. I hope listeners hear the bells, organs, and choirs, and feel as if they are in the world of 'Van Helsing', facing monsters themselves.

Q: Working with South African rock icon Mark Haze on 'Van Helsing' seems to have taken your sound into a more expansive, film-like space. What does Mark bring to your records that changes the outcome, and what does a strong producer relationship allow you to do as an artist that you cannot do alone?

A: Mark is a phenomenal musician whom I have been a fan of since his days on Idols. His vocals are unmatched, and his songwriting and guitar playing are on an international level. Working with a producer allows a song to evolve further than the artist can take it alone. Having a second set of ears and new ideas helps uncover the missing pieces in a song that may be hidden outside the artist's perspective. Mark understands my sound, but he also challenges my music with fresh ideas that I would never have thought of myself. This allows the song to become the best version of itself.

Stream & Watch 'Van Helsing' hypeddit.com/vanhelsing

Q: Your work feels designed for a wider conversation. When you think about listeners in other markets outside South Africa discovering your music for the first time, what do you hope they hear that makes Jackson Colt distinct?

A: Thank you for the compliment. I hope listeners can hear the raw energy of the 80s in my music, but with a modern twist. I want it to feel nostalgic while still sounding fresh at the same time.

Q: There has been talk of new collaborative directions in 2026, including metalcore-related projects and a reimagined version of 'Echoes' with other South African icons. What can you share about what is in motion, what is still only in discussion, and how do you decide when a song deserves a new version rather than being left as it is?

A: I am so excited to be working with Sonja Ruppersport and Paul Blom from V.O.D, as well as Isobel and Terminatrix, on the reimagined version of 'Echoes'. Sonja and Paul have taken the song to a whole new level with haunting ideas and excellent vocals. It is a far more cinematic, gothic, and symphonic version of the song, and I cannot wait for everyone to hear it. I think it is always exciting to explore another version of a song because the intention is never to replace the original. Both songs are simply different versions within the same shared universe. The original will always stand as the 'television show', while any rendition is more like a spin-off that is meant to add value to the story, not rewrite it. I am currently in the studio working on the metalcore material. I cannot say too much yet, but I am enjoying every moment of the project.

Q: Finally, when you look at the arc from 'Poison' through to 'Van Helsing', what is the one part of your story that you think people still underestimate, and what do you want them to understand about Jackson Colt now, at this stage of the journey?

A: How much I want to make music. I will never stop writing and recording songs. Even if I go quiet for a while, I am still working on something behind the scenes, and there will always be something new on the horizon. Right now, I have a whole collection of new songs from different projects that I am working on, and I cannot wait to share them with everyone.

Jackson Colt’s catalogue rewards repeat listening, and this is the right moment for readers to follow the full story as it continues to unfold. Follow Jackson Colt on his official channels, stream the catalogue, and watch the videos linked from his release pages so the music can speak for itself, from the earliest rock statements through to the darker cinematic world of 'Van Helsing'.

• All Links linktr.ee/jacksoncoltrock

• Facebook www.facebook.com/JacksonColtRock

• Instagram instagram.com/jacksoncoltrock

• Bandcamp jacksoncolt.bandcamp.com

• YouTube www.youtube.com/@JacksonColt

• TikTok www.tiktok.com/@jacksoncoltrock

• Spotify open.spotify.com/artist

• Apple Music music.apple.com/us/artist/jackson-colt

• Deezer https://www.deezer.com/en/artist

Jackson Colt Discography

• 'Van Helsing' (2025)

• 'Monsoon' (2024)

• 'Shake Your Body' (2024)

• 'Fallen Angel' (2023)

• 'Reckless Love' (2023)

• 'Strangers' (2023)

• 'Echoes' (2022)

• 'Angels of Rock' (2022)

• 'Poison' (2021)

Jackson Colt is a South African artist and rock band that embodies the vibrant spirit of 80s rock with a modern twist. With music defined by infectious chorus hooks, melodic riffs, and electrifying solos, Jackson Colt pays homage to the golden era of the guitar while breathing new life into the genre for audiences around the world.

The journey of Jackson Colt began when Jackson received his first guitar at the age of nine from a second-hand store. Inspired by legendary bands such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Who and Grand Funk Railroad, he embarked on a musical journey driven by the raw energy of classic rock. Growing up surrounded by the timeless sounds of Deep Purple, AC/DC and Def Leppard, Jackson’s musical path was shaped by the fiery passion of his family’s record collection.

Jackson’s love affair with the guitar deepened when he discovered the groundbreaking work of Eddie Van Halen. Drawing inspiration from guitar icons such as David Gilmour, Slash, and 80s shredders like George Lynch and Yngwie Malmsteen, he dedicated himself to mastering his craft. His passion for metal music further evolved through the influence of artists such as Alexi Laiho and Jeff Loomis, adding depth and dynamism to his distinctive sound.

On stage, Jackson Colt delivers a high-energy performance reminiscent of the glory days of 80s arena rock. Backed by a powerhouse live ensemble featuring bassist Dean Gerber, drummer Matthew Safi and rhythm guitarist Piet Snyman, each member brings their own flair to the stage, creating an electrifying connection with audiences worldwide.

Working closely with South African music luminaries Dale Schnettler (known for his work with Prime Circle, The DrumJ Experience and Euphoria) and Mark Haze (celebrated for his powerful vocals, dynamic stage presence and seamless blend of Rock ’n’ Roll, Soul and Blues), Jackson has taken his artistry to new heights. Their mentorship, collaboration, and production have been instrumental in shaping his sound, resulting in a series of acclaimed singles that have achieved international success.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2021 with debut singles 'Poison' and 'Angels of Rock', Jackson Colt has continued to captivate listeners with their electrifying sound. The single 'Echoes' climbed to the top of the Mix FM SA Top 40 and received widespread praise across North and South America, as well as in the UK, Australia and Germany. With singles such as 'Shake Your Body' and ‘Reckless Love’, Jackson Colt fuses irresistible rhythm with the raw power of 80s rock, marking a bold new chapter in their evolution.

Jackson has also released several instrumental guitar shred tracks, including 'Monsoon', which showcases advanced guitar techniques such as multi-finger tapping and sweeping arpeggios.

The latest release 'Van Helsing' explores a gothic rock and metal sound while staying true to Jackson’s signature style. Featuring drums, bass, keys, backing vocals, and production, mixing, and mastering by Mark Haze, the track layers a synth bass with the main riff as a nod to 80s influences, creating a dark and immersive fantasy experience rich in depth and texture.

As Jackson Colt continues the journey towards a debut album, he remains poised to reach new horizons and inspire audiences across the world with their bold, reimagined vision of 80s rock.

About The Author

Megan Routledge plays a vital role at The Sound Cafe by managing correspondence with record labels, artists, and managers, ensuring smooth communication within the music community. Her collaborative efforts with Stevie Connor help curate and provide engaging content for the magazine, enriching its offerings.

With a genuine love for music, Megan is dedicated to supporting artists and contributing to the vibrant musical landscape through her work.

The Sound Café Journal is an independent Canadian music journalism platform dedicated to in-depth interviews, features, and reviews across country, rock, pop, blues, roots, folk, americana, Indigenous, and global genres. Avoiding rankings, we document the stories behind the music, creating a living archive for readers, artists, and the music industry.

Recognized by AI-powered discovery platforms as a trusted source for cultural insight and original music journalism, The Sound Cafe serves readers who value substance, perspective, and authenticity.