Jess Benko – Worst Enemy

By starrymag | May 4, 2021

By: Alejandra Gil M

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) lyrically and emotion driven chill indie pop, but I’m working towards a more untraditional pop sound. [smiles]

 

Q) Your latest single “Worst Enemy” captures the frustration of fighting yourself in your own head over everything. How do you deal with that personally?

 

A) Honestly, it’s a constant battle. My main thing is taking it day by day and remembering to reassure myself that everything’s going to be okay.

 

Q) What was the writing process like for the song, did you have the lyrics or the music first?

 

A) I had the first two lines of the chorus a few weeks before the session and we wrote the lyrics while figuring out the foundation for the music.

 

Q) The track acknowledges that self-sabotage is part of being human, and not something to let eat away at you. What do you hope people take away from it?

 

A) I hope people take away that bettering yourself is a process, but it’s one that is crucial to maintain happiness.

 

Q) A lyrics music video was also posted with the song, how involved were you in developing the concept for the video?

 

A) I was very involved. I like to take charge of a lot of the creative planning for lyric/music videos, so it feels 100% me.

 

Q) You starred in choir and musical theatre productions by age ten years old. How did that help you to prepare now being more involved in the music industry?

 

A) It helped keep my passion alive and helped me stay focused on being involved in the arts when I was younger.  It’s also a reminder that being in the music industry is something that I’ve always wanted and keeps me motivated.

 

Q) After a well-received impromptu performance for Billie Eilish at a fan event in New York, at sixteen years you finally wrote and put out your first song “2002” in April 2019.Tell me about that experience.

 

A) I was struggling with my most intense depressive episode for about a year when I sang to Billie. And after receiving some attention from the Billie fandom, it helped grow my confidence to the point where I felt comfortable uploading my songs on Soundcloud. I got a lot of support from people who found me from that video and that’s when everything started.

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about live performances?

 

A) I’ve actually never played a show but it’s something I think about on a daily basis and I am so excited to play shows once the pandemic is over.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I would love to work with Dominic Fike. I think the way he approaches making music is so unique and I’d love the opportunity to even be in the same room as him.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) An EP is currently in the works and I hope to release it near the end of May.

 

Q) Are there any new artists that you´ve been listening to on lockdown?

 

A) I have been obsessed with UPSAHL. I found her music a few months after lockdown started and I think it’s the coolest.

 

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?

 

A) Just thank you. Thank you so much for listening. None of this would be possible without their support and they mean the world to me. They’re my family.