We got to chat with UK-born New York-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, JESSIKA, who will release her debut album World Ain’t Ready on September 1 via BMG! Read below on what JESSIKA has to say about what makes her music differ from other musicians in the industry, we also picked her brain about the writing/recording process from her point of view and the importance of mental health awareness!
TV: To those who may not be familiar with you, let’s break the ice- mind introducing yourself and share a fun fact that no one may know about you?
Jessika: My name is JESSIKA and I’m from England!
TV: If you were describing the type of music you create how would you describe your sound and how do you try to separate yourself from other artists/musicians?
J: My music is honest, raw and the truth, I don’t write fiction. The album is a collection of stories all come from personal experiences.
TV: What is the typical writing/recording process look like for you? What normally comes first in that process? The lyrics or the music itself?
J: When I write a song, I always say if it takes me longer than seven minutes, I discard it. The songs that write themselves are always the best. After I’ve wrote the song , I then start working on the production. This is the fun part where I get ‘into the lab’ and start building on the music.
TV: Recently you releases a single, “Fuck Our Fears”, what is the message of this song and what is the inspiration behind it? Was there a particular point you were trying to get across?
J: ‘Fuck Our Fears’ is a personal song I wrote about anxiety and mental health. It covers everything from social anxiety, drinking, OCD and loneliness. Although the verses are somewhat dark and cover a lot of issues, the chorus is the hopeful part where the message says we can work together to fight the anxiety monsters in our head.
TV: You’re set to release your debut record World Ain’t Ready on September 1st. This record is something you wrote and co-produced with Kyle Kelso, what was this process like for you considering this is your debut record?
J: Making this album was an incredible experience. I wrote it whilst sleeping in the office of my label for two weeks! I had moved to Nashville and needed a place to stay. So I snook into my label’s office, made base and never stopped writing. I then got signed, and called up my good friend Kyle Kelso and asked if he would co- produce the album with me. We recorded half of it at The HIT Factory in New York City and the other half at Sound Emporium in Nashville.
TV: When in the process of writing/recording a record there comes the selection process- how do you select which songs you want on the record and decided which ones fit and which don’t?
J: For this album, we did a selection meeting where I sat with my label and we went through all my songs. We started at 30 songs, and narrowed it down to 14. It was fun!
TV: Ive got to ask, its been stated you were back and forth between recording the record in New York and then also in London at the legendary Abbey Road Studios- how has that been? Getting to record in such an iconic place?
J: Recording at Abbey Road was an incredible day! I took my Dad in with me too as he is a huge Beatles fan. The energy at Abbey Road is very special. You feel it as soon as you walk through the door. I had wrote ‘Fuck Our Fears’ about four hours before my session. I was supposed to record something else that day but decided to change the plan and get that one recorded. So happy I did. Abbey Road is where that song baby was born!
TV: What are your plans for the rest of 2023/after the record releases?
J: I plan to tour this album. That’s what i want to do next. I want to get this show on the road!
TV: Any goals for 2024?
J: My goal is to promote and tour this album. I will continue to write too, That’s always important! It’s like therapy for me.
TV:As we wrap up this interview, anything you would like to say to your fans?
J: Just thanks for being on this journey with me. Thanks for all the love on my music this year so far. It means the World.