Music producers often have many talents from singing to playing instruments, etc. and that is exactly the case for Jack Antonoff. If you are a diehard Swiftie, you may know him as the producer behind many of Taylor Swift's hits.
Recently, he came to her defense when Damon Albarn, lead singer of the band, Blur and songwriter for the band, Gorillaz, blasted Swift by saying she did not write her own songs. “I've never met Damon Albarn, and he’s never been to my studio, but apparently he knows more than the rest of us about all those songs Taylor writes and brings in. herb,” he tweeted on Jan. 24.
Although, producing music is what Jack Antonoff is most known for, there is more to him than just a producer to one of the biggest popstars in the world. From his past relationships to his personal life and what else he does for work, we will cover it all. Here is everything we know about Jack Antonoff.
10 Jack Antonoff's Early Life
Jack Antonoff was born on March 31, 1984, in Bergenfield, NJ. He is the second of three children, who were born to Shira and Rick Antonoff and is the younger brother of fashion designer, Rachel Antonoff. Sadly, his younger sister, Sarah, died of brain cancer at the age of 13. He is of Jewish heritage and grew up in different New Jersey cities.
9 Jack Antonoff's Music Career Began In High School
For high school, Jack Antonoff attended the Professional Children's School. During that time was when his music career began. During Antonoff's sophomore year, he and a bunch of friends from elementary school formed a punk rock band called Outline in 1998. He sang lead vocals until 2000, when someone else took over. They got signed and released one EP and two albums. The band toured in his parent's minivan in the U.S. and eventually broke up in 2002.
8 Antonoff's Professional Music Career
Jack Antonoff 's love of music inspired him to keep pursuing it. In 2002, Antonoff formed the band, Steel Train, with a friend. He was the lead singer in a band with four other guys. They were assigned to Drive-Thru Records and released many EPs and albums. Sadly, the band broke up in 2013.
During this time, Antonoff also joined the band fun. in 2008, who became famous for their hit song "We Are Young." He was a guitarist and drummer, alongside Nate Ruess and Andrew Dost. The Grammy-Award winning band sadly went on a hiatus in 2015, saying that they weren't breaking up, but rather, taking some time to work on solo projects.
7 Jack Antonoff's Time As A Producer
In addition to singing and making his own music, Jack Antonoff was also interested in producing music for other people. He started producing music in 2009 when he was in fun. and then went on to produce songs for artists like Carly Rae Jepsen, Sara Bareilles, Swift, Christina Perri, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, St. Vincent, The Chicks and more. Many popular songs, such as "Brave" by Bareilles, "Out of the Woods" and many others by Swift, "Green Light" and others by Lorde, "Norman F****** Rockwell" by Del Ray, and many more have been produced by Antonoff. He also produced the soundtrack for the 2018 movie, Love, Simon.
6 Jack Antonoff's Relationship With Lena Dunham
Antonoff met actress, Lena Dunham on a blind date in 2012, set up by a mutual friend. They were together for six years and kept their relationship pretty low-key before breaking up in 2018. In an interview with PEOPLE, Dunham revealed that they are still close friends. A source told E! News that they were growing apart and did not have a messy split. Swift was friends with the ex-couple and wrote a song titled, "You Are In Love" about them on her album, 1989, which Antonoff helped to produce.
5 Jack Antonoff's Relationship History
Besides Lena Dunham, Jack Antonoff has been in relationships with some pretty high-profile woman. Form 2001 to 2002, he dated Scarlett Johansson. Then from 2009 to 2010, he was in a relationship with Alia Shawkat. After Shawkat, came Dunham. Currently, he is dating model, Carlotta Kohl, who he has been with since 2018.
4 Antonoff's Friendship With Taylor Swift
Swift and Antonoff's professional relationship began in 2013, when he wrote and produced the song, "Sweeter Than Fiction," for the film One Chance. Swift provided lead vocals. He then went on to produce three songs on her album, 1989, and has worked with her ever since.
They also produced "I Don't Want To Live Forever" together, which was Swift's duet with Zayn Malik for the 2017 film, Fifty Shades Darker. He has even joined her for her re-recording process and during this time, they have developed a lasting friendship.
3 The Bleachers
In February 2014, the New Jersey native started a solo project called Bleachers. Bleachers is an indie pop band and the stage name for Jack Antonoff. While he is the lead vocalist and plays many of the instruments, he does have a backing band. The band got its name from the "darker, disconnected side" of suburban youth and John Hughes movies.
Bleachers have released three EPs and three albums and are going on tour later this year.
2 'SNL'
On January 15, 2022, Jack Antonoff and Bleachers performed on Saturday Night Live for the first time. They performed "How Dare You Want More" and "Chinatown." They subbed in for the original musical guest, Roddy Ricch who had to pull out due to COVID-19 exposure. Coming back as the first musical guest of 2022 was a big accomplishment for the band. The host was West Side Story's Ariana DeBose.
1 Jack Antonoff's Grammy Awards And More
At only 38 years old, Jack Antonoff has a lot of award credits to his name. He has been nominated for awards multiple times and has actually racked up some impressive wins. With fun., he was nominated for six Grammys and won twice, taking home Best New Artist and Song of the Year in 2013. As a producer, he has been nominated 13 times, including three upcoming awards for this year's Grammys. He has won Album of the Year, alongside Taylor Swift for 1989 and folklore. He won one more time for St. Vincent's song, "Masseduction," for Best Rock Song.
Antonoff has also been nominated for a Golden Globe Award and two Satellite Awards. He took home the Gracie Award in 2021 for Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. With his music and producing still at an all-time high, there's no doubt, there will be more awards in his future.