Interview: JesseMelancholy
JesseMelancholy
Emerging from Adelaide’s vibrant music scene, JesseMelancholy is quickly gaining recognition for their distinctive blend of hyperpop and indie rock. Their music, an intricate mix of raw emotion and genre-defying sounds, speaks directly to those navigating self-identity and emotional isolation. Their debut EP, Does the Skin I Wear Define Me?, is a deeply personal exploration of themes like insecurity, fear, and self-acceptance, inviting listeners into an introspective world. With a rapidly growing fanbase and an ever-evolving sound, JesseMelancholy is carving out a unique space in the indie music landscape.
In our interview, Jesse shares their thoughts on vulnerability in songwriting, the fusion of hyperpop and indie rock, and how they connect with their audience through personal struggles. They also offer insight into the creative process behind their debut EP and tease what's next in their evolving musical journey.
Your debut EP, Does the Skin I Wear Define Me?, deals with themes of self-identity and emotional isolation. How did you find the strength to share such personal struggles in your music?
I think I’ve always created music from a semi-vulnerable place, but I think as of recent times I’ve realised that it’s my one big outlet for emptying my thoughts. it’s definitely a bit scary at times to do, but overall I feel much better for being so vulnerable and transparent.
You’ve built a dedicated fanbase in just over a year. How do you connect so deeply with your listeners, especially through such vulnerable material?
I feel like a lot of the people who listen to my music are a lot like me, so there’s a lot of cool things to talk about with them. I never want to lose that connection with the people who enjoy my work. my discord server has been a big way to connect with people for sure :)
You blend hyperpop and indie rock, two distinct genres. What inspired this unique fusion, and how do you make them work together?
I don’t really consciously think of those two genres in particular when making music. I certainly borrow from artists in each respective genre heavily, so I feel it may be a subconscious thing!
Self-identity seems central to your work. How does your personal journey shape the themes you explore in your music?
Yes! my personal journey in self-discovery is kind of the centrepiece of this project. I’m at a very weird point in my life - being 20 years old. it’s that weird age where I’m just off the cusp of being a teenager. I feel like in my adolescence I pushed parts of myself down or minimised them to feel more accepted socially. I’ve broke away from that, and writing music about it has been instrumental in feeling comfortable with who I am.
Hyperpop is often futuristic, while indie rock is more grounded. How do you navigate the tension between these two styles?
I like the idea of creating music where there are no rules. the softest song off the project can instantly become the loudest. the most raw and stripped can become a wall of noise. I certainly tend to look up to other musicians who embrace this idea.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your music career so far, and how did you overcome it?
There isn’t really a specific thing I can pinpoint, but overall I would say being an independent and unsigned artist is extremely challenging in itself because you’re controlling essentially every facet of your work, even beyond the music. A part of me absolutely loves it though, I’m a massive control freak in some ways haha.
Your music speaks to feelings of self-hatred and insecurity. What do you hope listeners struggling with similar issues take away from your songs?
I really hope that people leave the project with a sense of optimism. there’s obviously a lot of heavy themes and very saddening lyrics, but overall, the final song, to me at least conveys a sense of pushing forward, and not letting yourself be bound to the insecurities you face. I hope listeners feel that too.
You’re both a musician and producer. How does having control over the production process influence your sound?
I am very particular and articulate at times so that it can be very good, but with that being said, production wise this record is definitely a collaborative effort. I definitely oversee and guide mostly everything, but if it weren’t for a lot of my friends who helped with this project, it would be nowhere near as good!
The title of your EP, Does the Skin I Wear Define Me?, suggests a struggle with external identity versus internal self. Can you expand on this theme?
I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head there. I’m not sure how to expand on that completely, because it’s a bit of an abstract title, but I will tell you it came to me very early on in working on the project. I just sensed myself going down a writing direction with these themes and thought it sounded right.
Your music feels intimate and confessional. How do you strike a balance between art and personal catharsis in your writing?
Sometimes it can be extremely hard and draining, simply because you’re letting some pretty heavy parts of you come out, but I think understanding the way you operate best when writing music is important, and I think I managed to do that by incrementally writing songs, and not trying to force anything.
Hyperpop often features exaggerated sounds, but your lyrics feel raw and authentic. How do you maintain that balance?
I’m not too sure, to be honest, I think I just love toying with the idea I mentioned before of throwing sonic curveballs and making a song that isn’t pin-point-able or inside of a box.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how do they inspire your current work?
I have an enormous amount of inspirations like most artists, but one big inspiration on this particular record for me was phil elverum from the microphones. the universe that they create within their songs, and their descriptive songwriting style is something I really learned from, and wanted to do with does the ‘skin i wear define me?’
You’ve been releasing music independently. How has that freedom shaped your creative process?
It’s really nice for the most part. I’m not bound to any real-time constraints or deadlines, so right now I’m just trying to make sure all of my work is as honest as possible.
What role does visual art and design play in your music’s presentation? How important is the overall aesthetic to your artistic identity?
For me, it’s pretty important. I don’t think anyone will take your music seriously unless there is a strong sense of identity or aesthetic, I don’t know what my aesthetic is, but I think people get it, and like it.
What’s next for JesseMelancholy? Are there any new sounds or themes you’re eager to explore in future releases?
right now I’m obviously focused on promoting the project and everything of that nature, but other than that I’m working on new music and different ideas that I hope to flesh out into something bigger. I will say this now - I doubt my music beyond this point will sound too much like this album, and that’s a good thing. I can’t wait to explore new territory :)
Finally, what have you been listening to lately? Any artists, new or old, that are currently inspiring you?
Literally while answering these questions I’ve been listening to one of my favourite albums You Forgot It in People by Broken Social Scene it’s really good! But everybody should listen to my friend MACËY’s music, they’re a really great band from my city and everything they’ve been doing is insane.
Does the Skin I Wear Define Me? by JesseMelancholy is out now and is available for streaming on all your favourite platforms.
