Jesse Thomas is a force to be reckoned with. The petite songstress has a powerful voice with a raspy passionate quality that you can’t seem to stop listening to. Jesse is currently working on her new album due for release this October. We speak to Jesse about her musical methods and style: Read Interview
Q: You’re originally from Kentucky. How did you end up in LA?
Jesse: I moved to Los Angeles about three years ago to pursue an acting career. After six months, I was pursuing music. It was a complete accident, but I haven’t looked back ever since.
Q: What do you love most about creating music?
Jesse: My favorite mornings are walking up, brewing some coffee, grabbing my guitar, and making a song. It is so therapeutic. It amazes me that I can spend a few hours in my room, create something out of thin air, and later have it affect someone in the way music does. I love creating songs. I think there is nothing like it. Playing a song for the first time fills me with pride and accomplishment.
Q: How would you describe your musical style?
Jesse: My musical style lies somewhere between the folk and singer/songwriter genres. Some of my songs are upbeat, some are very slow and emotionally driven, but one thing I always try to accomplish is that when people hear it, they will feel something. I am inspired by great female songwriters like Laura Marling, Brandi Carlile, Fiona Apple, and Gillian Welch, and you can definitely hear that in my music.
Q: How do you prepare mentally before taking the stage?
Jesse: Oh my. Before any show I get the worst anxiety. I shake uncontrollably, and get very fidgety. I usually have to go find a corner to sit in and zone out. I don’t think much of how I want my set to go, or what I will say between songs. I typically think about random things like doing laundry or what I had for dinner. It helps calm my nerves. Once I hit the stage, it all goes away.
Q: You recently participated in a celebrity fundraiser for the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson’s Research. How awesome was that?
Jesse: That was a fun show, but unfortunately a bit under promoted. I love getting opportunities to play shows such as these. I am always flattered when people want me to be part of their event. My favorite show was at this years SXSW. It sold out in about five minutes, and was the first time I felt like a rockstar. No matter what the show though, being a musician is just plain fun.
Q: . What can we expect on your upcoming album?
Jesse: I am beyond excited for my new album. I have put a lot of time and effort into making it, and I am so proud of how it turned out. It is my first full length record, and contains my best work. There are songs about love, hardships, friendships, and whiskey. I think it is an album everyone can get something from, and I think every song is worth a listen. I wrote it with no intention of “radio success.” I put my best foot forward and truly believe it is a classic record that could still be relevant in twenty years. I am so excited and very proud.
Q: Any release date yet?
Jesse: We haven’t chosen a release date yet, but I am hoping for a soft release in Los Angeles in October, and a worldwide release shortly after that. Keep an eye out!
Q: One final question. What is the main thing you hope listeners get from your music?
Jesse: As I mentioned before, all I can hope for is that when someone hears my song, they feel something. My favorite kind of music is the kind that takes me somewhere emotionally that I wasn’t quite expecting. I like music that not only hits my ears, but hits my heart, and I hope that I have accomplished that with my own.
Check out more on Jesse Thomas at JesseThomasmusic.tumblr.com
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