Check Out Jess Joseph’s Story

Hi Jess, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, in true dramatic fashion, about five years ago I broke down after a stressful week at work, questioned life and all that was to come, then proceeded to apply to Berklee College of Music on a complete whim. I remember using my phone to apply, eating up cellular data because I couldn’t even afford wi-fi at the time. After years of job-hopping, band gigging, and some intense personal experiences throughout life, my soul was urging me toward a different path. After a successful audition in Boston, a few months later I was on my way from my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA for music school. I received a generous scholarship, making it a true reality that I would have a future there. Clearly older than my peers, they would ask me “where did you transfer from?”, I would say – “life.” I graduated from Berklee with focuses in vocal performance and songwriting, and was actually a finalist for commencement speaker of my graduating class. That was quite unexpected! So, quite a roundabout journey, but triumphant and all right timing. I ended up a performer, songwriter, natural actor, wannabe comedian, and all-around advocate for everything creative and original.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It recently became a lot smoother. The move here to New Orleans really was so uncannily destined, and the more synchronicities I recognize, the more smooth the road feels. Challenges are unavoidable, but they for sure teach us what we need to know, and I have learned a lot! For a while, being primarily self-taught was an obstacle, but it has been well worth it knowing that it has given me a different sound and approach. My hardest challenges have been quite personal – self-doubt, uncertainty, not trusting myself and looking to others for confirmation and validation. I had to learn to stand true in myself, listen to my heart, and follow my intuition. The road to this is ever unwinding! I still struggle with perfectionism and being hypercritical of myself, but when channeled properly, it turns into attention to detail and self-improvement.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My original music has a bit of almost every genre involved, but I would ultimately classify it as alternative rock. My lyrical content is mostly self-reflective, and involves a lot of irony, cleverly calling myself out. It’s honest, that’s for sure! My influences are mostly blues and rock and roll, particularly classic rock and 90’s rock. I am so fond of Janis Joplin and the heart and soul she ushered into her music. I also connect with the music of Pink Floyd; they created textures and true musical environments, and that musical scenery has really influenced the way I arrange my tunes. Of course all the keyboard-based classic artists are imprinted in my playing- Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Little Richard, and Elton John to name a few. Recording music is my favorite thing outside of performing. I am currently working on a number of EPs here in New Orleans. A lot of the songs have a blend of tracks from Boston recording sessions, remote sessions, and vocal takes from here in Nola. I have been writing and producing my music for years, and it is so cool to hear it all come together at this stage in my musicianship.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Haha, you’d say I was a wannabe child star; precocious, articulate, and wanting to perform for most anyone around me. I was actually a pretty troubled kid, but the creative arts was my outlet. I was quite shy and even had a stutter for a period of time, but when given the chance to entertain – I was unstoppable. I grew up in a duplex in the city of Pittsburgh where houses are very close together, so I always had an audience to listen to me belt Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and TLC whether they wanted to or not. My family and I are Jewish, and I have one older brother named Sam. We are both highly creative, and because our household was not well versed in fostering the arts, we each became pretty unique in our own ways. I am very thankful for this, as it has definitely become one of my greatest assets.