Having been described as the lovechild of Nick Cave and Elvira, Jesse Jo Stark has been poised as the voice alt music needs and desires. Already a must follow on Instagram, as Bella Hadid’s bestie and a Californian style icon, Jesse Jo is dedicated to the tunes. As deep a lover of music as she is a talent of it, Jesse Jo’s diverse taste seeps into her creations, from Lou Reed to Fleetwood Mac, Bowie to Billie Holliday. Schooled by the influences she takes in, Jesse Jo Stark strives for the sounds she’s been brought up on, and she sure is killing it.
Premiering her captivating music video for ‘Dandelion’ via HUNGER in July, we caught up with the star to find out how she delved head first into music, all about her eclectic taste that got her here and where Jesse Jo’s headed next…
Do you remember the moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
Pretty much always
What was the inspiration behind your Dandelion EP?
I just think these songs found their place in time. They truly project the past and present for me. And like I always say…pretty and deadly are my forever muses.
Who is your greatest musical influence?
Marvin Gaye, Rhye, Fleetwood Mac, Billie Holliday, Lou Reed, The Cramps, Lower Class Brats, Nick Cave, Merle Haggard always.
What musicians are you really into at the moment?
Haim, Florence + The Machine, The Pink Slips.
Do you think social media is a good thing for music?
It’s good n bad…the one thing I can say is its been a solid platform for me. I feel like artists now have more freedom to release on their own time. However things come n go so fast now which takes away from the music. It’s a quick fix. Just like uploading a photo. I don’t want to write songs that aren’t long lasting.
What’s your personal relationship like with social media?
Topical or unstable.
What would you like to see more of online? What about less of?
More tits less ass.
Who are the best people you follow on Instagram?
Matty Matheson, Monsters Holding Bitches, Plant Mums, Chrome Hearts, Frankie Belle Stark.
Who is your ultimate style icon?
Cher n Poison Ivy
What item of clothing could you never live without?
My Bocephus crew neck sweater.
What are the five albums you would take to a desert island?
Rhye: Blood, Merle Haggard: Back To The Barrooms, Lou Reed: Transformer
Finally, what’s next for you?
About to be back in LA to have my first show of the Vaccines tour at the Teragram, then a support tour in November with Sunflower Bean in the UK, and more new tunes.
Follow Jesse Jo Stark on Instagram here now and get tickets for the UK tour here.
