Jess Young – Champagne & Caviar

By starrymag | May 11, 2020

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I think it was best described by the lovely Stuart Clark of Hot Press Mag as “Sophisticated pop with a deliciously dark edge.” I really loved that!!

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Johnny Rzeznik of The Goo Goo Dolls (who got me into writing the kinds of lyrics I do), The Corrs, The Eagles, Sting and lately I’m totally obsessed with Lady Gaga and Gavin James. Like… Unhealthily obsessed.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Champagne & Caviar.”

 

A) This is a tough story to tell candidly, but, in essence, I found myself ‘homeless’ in a women’s refuge after getting out of an abusive relationship. I really thought, “This is tough. This is rock bottom.” But I had to express it somehow. When I was a kid, I never felt like I had the words to express how I felt, ever. And that always came out with the songs of my heroes like Johnny Rzeznik. So, I would spend what very little money I had getting trains across London to my writing partner’s home studio and just spend days there with him writing. I’d come across many (male) individuals who had been promising help/ investment connections/ money (things I thought I might need to get my music out there) in return for…Well, you can connect the dots, right? It made me feel angry, given my personal history. “Champagne & Caviar” was born…

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to? I have been told –

 

A) “Because you feel like you can love whoever you wanna love (gay, trans, bi), and that’s your power, not money. Money can’t buy you love.”

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

 

A) It varies. Usually, I wake up in the small hours of the morning with weird colors and melodies in my head. I’m synesthete, so music has colors and textures, some sounds have personalities. But when I’m writing with Seeva (my writing partner), I sometimes go to him with voice notes, I’ll say I heard this great sound or we’ll sit down in his studio and be discussing something that’s been affecting one – or both. We’re so in sync – of us… and suddenly, there it is. Some songs take hours to come out and others take seconds. I used to be more of a lyricist, and I love drama in my lyrics. I like to write about “elegant sex.” Sorry Mum.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

 

A) Seeva and I co-produced “Champange & Caviar,” which was amazing fun! I have never thought of myself as a producer, but the synesthesia helps, for sure. We also had an arranger called Jomo Kru who is just amazing come in and shake up our work and that put a fire under the enture production.

 

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

 

A) An EP – YES… Seeva and I are also co-writing and co-producing an EP together… more on that further down the line. #SpoilerAlert! In terms of a full album, I’ve certainly written enough material for a couple of full records, but more material is now coming out in new writing sessions and first thing’s first – to release some (hopefully) decent singles and enjoy the ride for a while.

 

Q) Your music has been featured recently on television programs. How does this make you feel?

 

A) It’s a big compliment. I have Tom and Nigel, my amazing mentors, to thank for that.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Jess Young performance?

 

A) EMOTIONS. [laughs] Fun, laughter, probably some sketches about my mother. Authenticity. And most likely as the shows grow (and I really hope they do), a little… bit… of exhibitionism. I actually had a dream recently about a tour called “Exhibitionist,” so who knows. Napoleon Complex much!?

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

 

A) I really love playing Ex Cellar Claygate and Surbiton, which are actually my Uncle’s wine shop-come-pizza venues. They’re so intimate, great wine and super intimate. Once the Covid-19 stuff is all over, we should have some lovely shows lined up there amongst a few other places! I also adored playing Proud Camden a few years ago for some published work I was doing with a really cool Greek producer called Nikonn.

 

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

 

A) Johnny. Rzeznik. Many exclamation points.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I simply cannot get enough of Dermot Kennedy’s album Without Fear – I just think his voice is sublime, and his songwriting skills are unreal. Goals.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) We are all so connected now. We all want to know – I want to know, when I’m listening to my favorite artists: Who wrote the song, where? What does it mean? What is this person really like? Are they like me? Are we similar? I want to feel connected to them in so many more ways than just through their music – and I think that’s because we really have been becoming much more disconnected. We are a communal species; we thrive on connection. For me, I want my fans to know I’m with you, I got you. I know how much music has changed my life. I know which songs saved my life and which artist made me feel like I could live another day. I’d really hope that in this day and age if someone feels like they need to reach out and say, “I’m not OK, I need help,” then they can do that. Social media can be a part of that. Did that even answer the question? I don’t really have that filter thing most other humans have.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) It’s been said by all of us artists and creators, but we really mean it and I mean it right now: THANK YOU. My survival depended on me writing the songs I’m releasing this year, next year, the year after. It depends on you guys listening, on this beautiful magazine emailing me to ask if I’d like to be interviewed. It depends on growth, support, love. I may be making some kind of “art,” but it would be dead in the water without everyone else around me hustling to make it happen and without you guys bothering to listen. So, thank you. Come find me on Insta, let’s have a ball. I promise you, this will be the ride of our lives. Love!