# Jack Colwell

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**Jack Colwell** (26 October 1989 – 3 October 2024) was an Australian singer-songwriter.[1]

## Early life

Colwell attended the [Conservatorium High School](/source/Conservatorium_High_School) at the [Sydney Conservatorium of Music](/source/Sydney_Conservatorium_of_Music).[2]

Prior to launching his solo career, Colwell worked behind the scenes in the Australian [music industry](/source/Music_industry), assisting [Karen O](/source/Karen_O) with her performance of "Stop The Virgens" at the [Sydney Opera House](/source/Sydney_Opera_House) in 2012 and arranging vocals for [Architecture in Helsinki](/source/Architecture_in_Helsinki).[1] He also had a band called Jack Colwell & The Owls.

## Career

Colwell attracted attention in August 2015 when [Rolling Stone Australia](/source/Rolling_Stone_Australia) premiered the video for his single "Don't Cry Those Tears".[3]

The song topped AMRAP's Metro radio chart for four consecutive weeks[4] but programmers at [Triple J](/source/Triple_J) told Colwell, who was 25 years old at the time, that "Don't Cry Those Tears" sounded 'too old' to be played on the station.[5]

In late August 2015, he self-released his first solo EP, *Only When Flooded Could I Let Go*.[6]

In September 2015, Colwell appeared at Newtown Social Club as part of Rolling Stone's "Live Lodge" concert series.[1] In November 2015, ARIA-winning singer-songwriter [Sarah Blasko](/source/Sarah_Blasko) announced that Colwell would be the main support act on her 2016 Australian tour.[7]

In August 2016, Colwell released *When The World Explodes*,[8] an EP featuring remixes of songs from *Only When Flooded...* by [HEALTH](/source/HEALTH_(band)), [Fennesz](/source/Fennesz), [Roly Porter](/source/Roly_Porter), [Ash Koosha](/source/Ash_Koosha), Rabit and Marcus Whale.

In October 2016, Colwell played a sold-out hometown show at the [Sydney Opera House](/source/Sydney_Opera_House) with a string ensemble.[9]

### Work with Patrick Wolf

In 2018, Colwell accompanied cult singer-songwriter and former [Burberry](/source/Burberry) model [Patrick Wolf](/source/Patrick_Wolf) at Wolf's career-spanning Australian comeback concert.[10] The pair reunited in January 2020 for a sold-out run of Wolf shows in London,[11] with Colwell contributing arrangements and multi-instrumental accompaniment.

### Swandream

Colwell self-released his debut album, *Swandream*, in 2020.[12]

Produced by [Sarah Blasko](/source/Sarah_Blasko), *Swandream* was acclaimed by critics: [NME](/source/NME) declared it "an utterly visceral listen with immediate impact"[13] while [The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian) said "Colwell and Blasko have built a full-immersion tale that is both theatrical and real."[12]

[BrooklynVegan](/source/BrooklynVegan) called *Swandream* "a record loaded with lush, moody ballads and soaring anthems"[14] and [Junkee](/source/Junkee) crowned it "the fieriest and most beautiful album of the year so far".[15]

*Swandream* ranked #5 on NME's '25 Best Australian Albums of 2020' list.[13]

Prior to the album's release, Colwell shared a collaboration with [Owen Pallett](/source/Owen_Pallett), "I Will Not Change My Ways".[16] The song was recorded in one take while Colwell was in Pallett's native Toronto. An alternative version appeared on *Swandream*.

A track from the album, "In My Dreams", was remixed by [Robin Guthrie](/source/Robin_Guthrie) of the [Cocteau Twins](/source/Cocteau_Twins).[14] Guthrie's version appeared alongside remixes by Joel Amey of [Wolf Alice](/source/Wolf_Alice) and Australian musicians [Rainbow Chan](/source/Rainbow_Chan) and Marcus Whale on the EP *Swanlux*.[17]

### Literary work

Colwell wrote essays for *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*,[18] *[Kill Your Darlings](/source/Kill_Your_Darlings_(magazine))*[19] and others, and delivered talks at the [National Young Writers' Festival](/source/National_Young_Writers'_Festival)[20] and the Emerging Writers' Festival.[21]

## Advocacy

In November 2016, Colwell released the fundraising single *No Mercy* in honour of deceased Australian Indigenous teenager [Tyrone Unsworth](/source/Suicide_of_Tyrone_Unsworth).[22]

In September 2017, Colwell programmed and performed at *Unity: the Equality Campaign concert* at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney with [Sarah Blasko](/source/Sarah_Blasko), [Killing Heidi](/source/Killing_Heidi), [The Jezabels](/source/The_Jezabels) and others.[23] Proceeds from the event went to Australian Marriage Equality, a registered charity advocating for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia.[24]

## Personal life and death

Colwell was born three months prematurely on 26 October 1989.[25][26]

Colwell was [gay](/source/Gay);[27] after his death, his friend [Gen Fricker](/source/Gen_Fricker) described him as "out and flamboyant at 14."[28]

Colwell was a survivor of childhood domestic abuse, as described in the *Swandream* song "The Sound of Music."[29][12] He wrote that the events "destroyed the innocence of my childhood and drained the sense of fantasy and wonder from my youth."[30]

Colwell was a noted [Tori Amos](/source/Tori_Amos) fan. In 2017, he told [Double J](/source/Double_J_(radio_station)): "What I love about Tori is that she made the piano cool."[31]

In his 2015 *[Kill Your Darlings](/source/Kill_Your_Darlings_(magazine))* essay *Ears with Feet: Life Among the Tori Amos Super Fans* he wrote: "I had allowed her music to save my life during a time when I saw no way out. When you yourself are a teenager struggling with your sexuality, who was also raped by a stranger, listening to the work of Tori Amos can be pretty powerful stuff."[19]

Colwell died by suicide[32][33] on 3 October 2024 at the age of 34.[34][35]

## References

1. Coyte, Matt (11 September 2015). *[Five Things You Need To Know About Jack Colwell.](https://web.archive.org/web/20160306175226/http://rollingstoneaus.com/live-lodge/post/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-jack-colwell/2256-page-1)* Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 1 March 2016.

1. Colwell, Jack (7 September 2024). "big emotional day for me conducting back at my high school! 💕 x"

1. Nail, Jonny (18 August 2015) *[Premiere: Jack Colwell "Don't Cry Those Tears."](http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/premiere-jack-colwell-dont-cry-those-tears/2100) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160306184405/http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/premiere-jack-colwell-dont-cry-those-tears/2100) 6 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine* Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 1 March 2016.

1. ["Amrap Chart Wrap − Jack Colwell and Boy & Bear retain #1 spots in Community Radio Charts"](https://themusicnetwork.com/amrap-chart-wrap-jack-colwell-and-boy-and-bear-retain-1-spots-in-community-radio-charts/). *The Music Network*. 27 October 2015.

1. ["'Ageism is alive and well': Triple J lampooned for 'insulting' tweet"](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/01/ageism-is-alive-and-well-triple-j-lampooned-for-insulting-tweet). *The Guardian*. September 2021.

1. *[Jack Colwell – Only When Flooded Could I Let Go.](http://themusic.com.au/music/albumreviews/2015/08/31/jack-colwell-only-when-flooded-could-i-let-go-charmaine-de-souza/)* The Music. Retrieved 20 July 2016.

1. *[Sarah Blasko announces national album tour for Eternal Return](http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s4345047.htm)* abc.net.au. Retrieved 1 March 2016.

1. *[Jack Colwell – When The World Explodes.](https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/when-the-world-explodes-ep/id1141564405)[dead link]* iTunes. Retrieved 22 August 2016.

1. Valentish, Jenny (17 October 2016). *[Jack Colwell Bears His Soul at the Sydney Opera House.](http://www.moshcam.com/articles/reviews/32779/jack-colwell-bears-soul-sydney-opera-house) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161020173208/http://www.moshcam.com/articles/reviews/32779/jack-colwell-bears-soul-sydney-opera-house) 20 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine* Moshcam. Retrieved 20 October 2016.

1. Zuel, Bernard (11 April 2018). ["The Remaking of Patrick Wolf"](https://www.bernardzuel.net/post/2018/04/12/the-remaking-of-patrick-wolf-interview). *bernardzuel.net*. Retrieved 25 March 2023.

1. ["Jack Colwell tells us about his new album"](https://somethingyousaid.com/2020/05/26/jack-colwell-tells-us-about-his-new-album/). *Something You Said*. 25 May 2020.

1. Zuel, Bernard (3 June 2020). ["Jack Colwell: Swandream review – theatrical, raw songs packed with pain and soaring survival"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/03/jack-colwell-swandream-review-). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 21 September 2021.

1. ["The 25 best Australian albums of 2020"](https://www.nme.com/en_au/features/nme-best-australia-albums-of-the-year-2020-2844123). *NME*. 23 December 2020.

1. ["Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie remixes Jack Colwell's "In My Dreams" (listen)"](https://www.brooklynvegan.com/cocteau-twins-robin-guthrie-remixes-jack-colwells-in-my-dreams-listen/). *BrooklynVegan*. Retrieved 21 September 2021.

1. ["Jack Colwell Has Written The Fieriest And Most Beautiful Album Of The Year So Far"](https://junkee.com/jack-colwell-swandream-interview/256418). *Junkee*. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2021.

1. ["Jack Colwell releases collaboration with Owen Pallett"](https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/jack-colwell-owen-pallett-collaboration-2623274). *NME*. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2021.

1. ["Jack Colwell announces remix EP 'Swanlux'"](https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/jack-colwell-announces-remix-ep-swanlux-2813148). *NME*. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2021.

1. Colwell, Jack (19 February 2023). ["Jack Colwell: Some Things Last a Long Time by Daniel Johnston is the most perfect song of all time"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/feb/20/jack-colwell-some-things-last-a-long-time-by-daniel-johnston-is-the-most-perfect-song-of-all-time). *The Guardian*

1. ["Ears with Feet: Life Among the Tori Amos Super Fans"](https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/article/ears-with-feet-life-among-the-tori-amos-super-fans/). *Kill Your Darlings*. Retrieved 21 September 2021.

1. ["Jack Colwell – NYWF"](https://youngwritersfestival.org/artists/jack-colwell/). Retrieved 25 March 2023.[dead link]

1. ["Emerging Writers' Festival: Jack Colwell on Tweeties for Sweeties: Narrative in Grindr and social media"](https://www.wheelercentre.com/events/emerging-writers-festival-jack-colwell-on-tweeties-for-sweeties-narrative-in-grindr-and-social-media/). *The Wheeler Centre*. Retrieved 25 March 2023.[dead link]

1. Sargent, Chloe (28 November 2016). *[Jack Colwell Drops Empowering LGBTQ+ Tune In Honour of Tyrone Unsworth.](https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/arts-and-culture/jack-colwell-drops-empowering-lgbtq-tune-in-honour/89682753-f4fa-4250-836c-a7d982894018.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170615142918/http://www.pedestrian.tv/news/arts-and-culture/jack-colwell-drops-empowering-lgbtq-tune-in-honour/89682753-f4fa-4250-836c-a7d982894018.htm) 15 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine* Pedestrian.tv. Retrieved 28 November 2016.

1. Shanahan, Lucy (13 September 2017). *[Aussie All-Stars Call For 'Unity' at Marriage Equality Concert.](http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/photo-gallery-unity-the-equality-campaign-concert/7056) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170915215614/http://rollingstoneaus.com/music/post/photo-gallery-unity-the-equality-campaign-concert/7056) 15 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine* Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 16 September 2017.

1. Shaw, Rebecca (6 September 2017). *[All Ya Faves Are Playing A Huge Gig In Sydney Next Week For The SSM Cause.](https://www.pedestrian.tv/music/ya-faves-playing-huge-gig-sydney-next-week-ssm-cause/)* Pedestrian.tv. Retrieved 16 September 2017.

1. Groves, Nancy (10 December 2015). *[Claudia Karvan murders Jack Colwell in music video for Coat – exclusive premiere.](https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/dec/10/claudia-karvan-drowns-jack-colwell-in-music-video-for-coat-exclusive-premiere)* *The Guardian*. Retrieved 1 March 2016.

1. ["I'm 30 today!! Thanks for all the lovely birthday messages."](https://www.x.com/jackcolwell_/status/1187985460494094336?s=46). *X*. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. ["Interview: Jack Colwell Talks About "No Mercy" & Raising Funds For QLife"](https://thequeerav.com/interview-jack-colwell-qlife/). *The Queer Av*. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2024.

1. Tassell, Dominique (5 October 2024). ["Sydney singer-songwriter Jack Colwell dies, aged 34"](https://7news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/sydney-singer-songwriter-jack-colwell-dies-aged-34-c-16287472). *[Seven News](/source/Seven_News)*. Retrieved 7 October 2024.

1. Lancaster, Brodie (1 June 2020). ["No ugly duckling: Jack Colwell paints his own mythical, turbulent transformation on ‘Swandream’"](https://www.nme.com/features/jack-colwell-new-album-swandream-2-3607203). *NME*. Retrieved 24 December 2024.

1. Colwell, Jack (29 November 2020). ["DAY FIVE: I will not let your shadow hang over me"](https://16daysblogathon.blog/2020/11/29/day-five-the-sound-of-music/). *16 Days Blogathon*. Retrieved 29 January 2025.

1. ["Tori Amos – The J Files"](https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/programs/the-j-files/tori-amos/10274452). *Double J*. 7 September 2017.

1. Hardy, Marieke. ["Celebrating Jack Colwell"](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/celebrating-jack-colwell/id1719926139?i=1000701446571). *Apple Podcasts*

1. Valentish, Jenny (9 April 2025). ["A shrine to Jack Colwell"](https://jennyvalentish.substack.com/p/a-shrine-to-jack-colwell). *Vault du Valentish*

1. Valentish, Jenny. ["Remembering Jack Colwell: an astonishing musical talent, and a generous and loyal friend"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/05/remembering-jack-colwell-an-astonishing-musical-talent-and-a-generous-and-loyal-friend). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. Bond, Nick (5 October 2024). ["Much-loved Australian singer-songwriter Jack Colwell dies aged 34"](https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/muchloved-australian-singersongwriter-jack-colwell-dies-aged-34/news-story/280fb93710a5e8cf30c8c58ea3ddbba2). *news.com.au*

## External links

- [Official website](http://jackcolwell.com.au)
- [Jack Colwell](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5658111/) at IMDb

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jack Colwell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Colwell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Colwell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.