A product of the Northern Rivers rich arts scene where she has been performing and busking since she was a youngster, JESA recently released her debut single, 'You Before Me'.
A vibrant folk-pop project that showcases personable lyrics written with a big heart, JESA is inspired by the likes of Lisa Mitchell and Maggie Rogers to craft stories that transport you to enchanting little worlds.Last month, you released your debut single 'You Before Me'; how does the song introduce you to listeners?
I decided on 'You Before Me' as my first single as I wanted to break the mould of being a folk singer-songwriter and show listeners another side of myself.
It introduces listeners to the depth of my artistry by covering important themes of self-worth and exploring new textual layers and sounds.
The song expresses positive themes of empowerment, healing and new beginnings – how important as an artist is it to present music that has an uplifting affect on the listener?
For me, writing music is so cathartic. It's this beautiful release and often allows me to see the silver lining in the darkest of times.
It's not important for me to always uplift people with my music, but it's important that people are able to use my music as a way to understand themselves more. Whether a listener is crying or dancing to my song, I hope it leaves them with some new insight on how they are feeling.
That said, 'You Before Me' did start life as a 'morbid' break-up song – are you open to embracing a large range of emotions with your music?
Music is the way I express my emotions and in turns it helps me process what I'm going through.
Whenever I'm writing, I am always practicing being radically vulnerable, to the point sometimes that it is hard to show others because it can be so intimately personal. So yes, always and forever.
Lyrically, how personal are your songs? Does you songwriting allow you to explore areas of your life you'd otherwise not venture IRL?
I write mostly in first person, with myself the main character, kind of autobiographical, so all my songs are pretty personal. Songwriting is a tool I use to navigate the world, and in the world of songwriting nothing is off limits.
Now that you have released your debut single, what is next release-wise for JESA?
I'm actually in the studio at the moment working with Billy Otto on more songs. He's brilliant and I'm so excited for my next music release because it's going to be so different to my first.
When it comes to writing, composing new material, is there a template you generally like to follow or is each song its own, little world to you?
I love this question! I think each song is definitely its own world and needs to be treated differently, but I have a rough guide I seem to habitually follow.
I often come up with either a concept, chord progression or melodic idea and from there jam on it acoustically with guitar or piano until I've got the flow happening. After that, the structure comes together and once I've got an A and B section it's just about connecting the narrative. Then lots and lots, and lots of editing.
When the creative bug strikes you, do you need to lock yourself away from everyone to foster those ideas? Or do you find you can write new music almost anywhere?
Over the years I've been pretty consistent actually. I think nature, new experiences, live music and different types of art are the best stimulus for me. I can write almost anywhere and when it's just me and my instrument everyone else seems to fade away.
As a songwriter, do you have a folder of unused lyrics, ideas and words you store so when inspiration strikes you can fall back on this resource?
Oh yes, I use iPhone notes. I've got 1000s. I've also got hundreds of voice memos. Always put ideas into my phone to listen or read back on. I use them all the time.
Let's talk influences; the press release says your inspired by the sounds of Lisa Mitchell and Maggie Rogers; what do you usually draw from another artist that creatively stimulates you?
I think women in music absolutely kill it and I'm inspired by so many. I get so many ideas whether it's melodic phrasing, lyrical content, harmonic progressions or overall production concepts.
It's hard to name all of the creative stimulation I get from other artists because their sheer existence in the arts is what has inspired me to also exist as an artist.
As an artist, the past 12 months or so of your musical development – how have you progressed as an artist?
Wow, I can't even describe how much I've grown. In the last 12 months I started really, really believing in myself and aligning everything in my life to be a creative venture.
Working in the studio has taught me so much more about production and allowed me to learn more about making clever compositional choices. Also teaching students has made me better at theory, communicating ideas and understanding fundamentals.
Being in a very creative circle has given me so many out-of-the-box ideas on how to navigate my career. There's so much, it's been a big expansive year.
You're from the Northern Rivers area, which has a strong history of fostering all manner of different creatives; how supportive have locals being with your progression as an artist?
Growing up and living in the Northern Rivers is something I'm so grateful for. The way this community fosters artists is so nourishing and continues to give to my artistry.
This community has supported me in ways beyond belief and everyone from here really cares about the arts and wants to see it flourish. There are so many great initiatives, opportunities and programmes that made me who I am today. Without the support of the Northern Rivers and the kind-hearted humans that live here, I wouldn't be where I am today.
The rest of 2021; what is the plan with your music?
I'm planning some pretty exciting things in 2021. Hoping to release a few more singles and then an EP, book an east-coast tour, play some lovely shows with some epic female artists and use my art to raise social, political and environment to the injustices taking place. Got a very big one planned.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you so much for having me. If readers would like to keep in the loop about all things JESA then they can go to my website.
JESA 2021 Tour Dates
Fri 12 Feb - Beach Hotel (Byron Bay)Fri 19 Feb - O'Skulligans (Brisbane)
Fri 26 Feb - BBQ Bazaar (Gold Coast)
