Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Jess Stewart
THE RELEASE
Coming from the landscapes of Cambridgeshire, UK Jess is a rising star, in the world of music. With her talent as a singer, songwriter and producer she expertly blends elements of Dance Pop and Soul in her sound. Drawing inspiration from icons like Ariana Grande, Caity Baser and Mimi Webb, Jess brings a perspective to the relatable experiences of Gen Z. Her musical journey started with the release of 'Rewrite Memories and her track 'Twenties' both receiving enthusiastic praise and paving the way for her promising career. With unwavering authenticity Jesss music serves as a reflection of the ups and downs faced while navigating young adulthood.
Get ready to be captivated by the energy of Jess’s single, 'Prince Charming (Went to Hell)' which released on November 24, 2023. Filled with lyrics and a catchy fusion of live saxophone and incorporating vintage sounding keys and vibrant live drums that take her sound to new levels. This song showcases Jess’s fearless and unapologetic storytelling style. In this tale Jess examines the fairytale concept of love that we all grew up idolizing, shedding light on the realities of dating in the real world while embracing a confident sense of self worth. The positive vibe, combined with its upbeat feel serve as a healing potion that motivates people to embrace their uniqueness and effortlessly navigate the nature of love.
THE INTERVIEW
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
Ariana Grande, I have listened to her all my life, she inspired me to write my first songs when I was young and was also the first concert I ever went to that made me want to do music. I don't think there is an Ariana Grande song I don't like.
Caity Baser, as new and as recent as she is. I love Caity Baser. I love how honest she is and she has definitely influenced my writing style.
Mimi Webb, I just absolutely love the music she makes, she always tells a story in her writing and her songs explode with sound and she really influenced me to work harder producing my own music.
Dua Lipa. Her 'Future Nostalgia' album was all I listened to before I went to Uni to do music, it inspired so many of my own songs with her bass lines and upbeat tempos. She made me want to write songs you can dance to.
Were there any specific challenges or breakthrough moments during the production of your new single that had a significant impact on its final form?
'Prince Charming (Went to Hell)' is the first track of mine that had lots of live instruments. Recording these myself was a new challenge I was excited to take on. I wanted to have a big sound and it took a lot of trial and error to get the right vibe but I truly love how this song has ended up.
Can you share insights into the collaborative process behind the creation of your latest single, including any notable contributions from producers, co-writers, engineers or featured artists?
I produced the track myself, however this track is the most I've ever collaborated with in the sense of live instruments, I was in the studio recording different people all the time. My friend Becky who played the saxaphone on the track, improvised the solo at the end and I fell in love with it even more. Everyone brought my idea to life and it was so exciting to see. I also worked with a sound engineer for the first time ever when the song was done, as I just felt I needed that extra boost. Shout out to Imad who is based in London, he is amazing. This track has taught me a lot, it was really hands on and I feel ready for my next releases.
Can you articulate the impact or impression you hope your new song leaves on listeners long after they've experienced it for the first time?
I just hope my music is the embodiment of a warm hug and a big dance party. Reminding people it's okay to not have your life together right now, and just to love yourself. I hope it recreates that fairytale dream-like sound and creates a sense of nostalgia for the listeners.
Looking ahead, how does the release of this single pave the way for future projects, and are there any hints or clues about the direction your music might take in the coming months?
Honestly, this release has set me up really well for my next songs to come out. After learning so much and improving my skills in producing, mixing and mastering I feel a lot more confident about where my music is heading. As for my next release, all I can say is I slowed it down for this track to take a bit of a break from my usual dance pop but the break is over and I have another tune ready and waiting for 2024.
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