A singer-songwriter from the alternative rock world, earlier this year Sydney's Machine On A Break released her debut single 'Avocado Toast'.
That was followed by 'Kindly Step Aside', with both songs receiving strong support from local radio across the country.The moniker of Jessie Wilson, Machine On A Break straddles equal parts fragile and fierce as her songwriting shines a spotlight on mental health issues and related crises.
Her latest release, 'Things That Go Bump', is a protest song voicing resentment towards society's collective attitudes towards violence against women and the unwillingness of many to foster greater care for a problem that still plagues the community at every level.
"I wrote this song as a way to express my anger and frustration at how we as a society deal with violence against women. It's time for us to start taking this issue seriously and doing something about it."
A performer who has been playing live for many years including Sydney Fringe Festival and Northern Beaches Music Festival, Machine On A Break returns to the stage on Sunday (31 July) to officially launch 'Things That Go Bump' at LazyBones Lounge (Sydney).
Who is Machine on a Break... I am a solo artist interested in creating something big. My history with mental health is a tumultuous one and I have always used music as an outlet to keep myself sane. As a result you'll find my songs are usually about pretty hard-hitting topics.
I sound like... I Prevail meets Paramore with a lil cinematic flair and singer-songwriter touches.
My first gig was... My first ever public performance was at an open mic night at Kelly's on King in Newtown; I was so nervous I thought my fingers were going to fall off! I have a long history of playing piano at school and in Eisteddfods as a kid though. This was my first time playing to a room where people didn't have to be nice.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... I settled on the stage name Machine On A Break at the suggestion of an ex-boyfriend actually. He was joking, I was not.
It was an NPC label in a video game we were playing and I related strongly to this character it felt like it was meant to be. I've also been referred to as being a machine at work, so music is when I take a break from being a machine.
In the studio I usually... Make really annoying noises to try to mimic what guitar and drum sounds I'm going for.
If I could tour with anyone... RedHook or Yours Truly.
Social media is... A necessary evil. I spend way too much of my life on there but it's also the best way to keep up to date with what my favourite artists are doing.
My favourite app at the moment is... Thought Diary. It allows me to keep on top of how my mood is tracking and challenge unhealthy thoughts I'm having. This helps me pick up on trends and stay well.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... I was supposed to play piano for a girl group as an interlude at a fashion parade. I was supposed to go on stage first and play the intro on repeat until the other girls came on; 30 seconds pass and they haven't come on stage. One minute, still nothing.
Next thing I know the convenor of the event comes and taps me on the shoulder and tells me to get off the stage – I'd gone up at the wrong time in full 1920s nurse costume.
Life on the road can be... Expensive!
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... Water. I'm not a picky gal.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Being surrounded by ghost people. I live with schizoaffective disorder and so I sometimes experience things that aren't real. The ghost people are pretty scary. I have a tattoo on my right ankle to show them who's boss.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Brian Burkheiser (singer from I Prevail). His music is fab and he's such a great spokesperson for those struggling with mental-health issues. I feel like he would be very on brand for Machine On A Break.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose? Bristol – I loved living in the UK and the live music scene there is fantastic.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... My mum, my dad and my sister, I miss them.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Probably chicken schnitzel fajitas – I have like one recipe ahaha!
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I am highly suspicious of anyone who hates pets. My cat Abbey is my world and she gets absolutely spoilt.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Pepsi Max. I have a problem.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Oh yikes probably before lockdown if I'm honest. I like going, just haven't been back there in a while.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? I always thought it was laundry until I got a lawn. Definitely mowing the lawn. There's no temperature control and you can always just buy more clothes, but that lawn isn't going to mow itself!
Do you have any phobias... Broken glass. A few bad experiences as a kid and we are not friends! I can't go into a room where glass has been broken for like a week.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I would totally do a quiz show or something.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? When I lived on campus at uni I pranked my whole dorm on April Fool's Day by sticking party poppers to people's doors so they went off as they got up in the morning. After the first one went off everyone else got up to see what it was all about and KABOOM!
Best local takeaway joint for a 2am feed that will leave you with a food coma? My go-to isn't open at 2am, it's devastating :( Dundas Valley man. There's a place called New Yatra that does the BEST fried rice around.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Hermione Granger. She's always right in an annoying way, but also always does the right thing no matter what.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Obi-Wan Kenobi'. OH MY GOD it is some of the best Star Wars content created! I'm a massive Star Wars nut, even have a tattoo on my arm.
