Jessie Wagner – Cry To Me

By starrymag | June 29, 2023

By: Alejandra Gil M.

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Genre bending and blending at its finest!

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I was influenced by a lot of different musical styles. I love Nancy Wilson, the jazz singer.  I think she was my first big influence, and you can hear inflections sometimes in my singing. I love Tina Turner’s grit and fire. I try to bring that in every performance. For writing, I always loved Gwen Stefani’s vulnerability and honesty. I try to write from that place.

 

Q) Your cover of the early 1960’s classic “Cry to Me” by soul singer Solomon Burke is out now.  Please tell us the story behind choosing this song.

 

A) I’ve loved this song since the first time Baby swayed in Johnny’s arms after their big performance. If I lost you, I’m talking about Dirty Dancing.  That song came on during a pivotal scene and I fell instantly in love with it.  It is always on my playlist when I’m driving.  When focusing on new material for my upcoming album, I decided this would be a great time to cover this song.

 

Q) How did you make the single your own?

 

A) I kept hearing it mashed with “Boogie Shoes” by KC and the Sunshine Band.  So, I added those horn lines in the verses.  We also gave it a funkier drum beat to modernize it a bit.  But it still sounds retro, which was important to me.  I didn’t want to lose that vibe.

 

Q) The track serves to tide your fans over until the release of your sophomore solo LP on Wicked Cool Records in late 2023/early 2024. What are some themes you’ll be exploring on it, if you can tease?

 

A) I think the central theme of this album is the search for love and understanding.  But I also explore themes of loss and growing old.  It can be dark, but as with Shoes Droppin, I try to add some levity and light sprinkled in.

 

Q) What was the songwriting process like? Do you need music before you can come up with the lyrics?

 

A) Most of the time I hear a melody in my head. I’ll be driving along, listening to a podcast, and I’ll have to pause it because I don’t want to lose the idea. I’ll hear a phrase being repeated over and over in my mind, and that typically ends up as the chorus. Then, I’ll make a terrible home demo of me singing what I hear to give to my drummer or guitarists I love to write with, and they’ll help me make sense of what I hear in my head with chord structures.

 

Q) Was there a song that was more emotional for you to record or maybe challenging for you in some way?

 

A) I wrote a song about a relationship I hoped to have but waited too late to act on.  It’s not a typical love song. It’s to the child I never had and most likely never will have. That one makes me cry just thinking about it.  It will be one of my digital singles.

 

Q) Your LP will follow your 2020 debut album Shoes Droppin. What do you hope people take away from it?

 

A) When people listened to “Shoes Droppin,” a lot of them told me that they could relate to this or that song.  It resonated with them.  I hope that there will be songs like that for people on The War Within as well. A connection.  I think that’s what every artist wants.

 

Q) Speaking of Shoes Droppin, which includes songs like “Over and Over,” “Great One,” “Lovers Lullaby” and a personal favorite “Hard To Let You Go.” What are your personal favorites of your songs?

 

A) That’s a tough one!  It’s like which kid is your favorite! Caretaker was hard to write because it’s kind of a selfish song, but it’s honest.  It reflects where I was when I wrote a few of those songs. I don’t like people to see the selfish side. You want people to think you’re a sweet angel. But we all have a darkness we’re fighting.  I was proud that I was that truthful, even though it was painful and scary to admit.  But it was cathartic to express.  And it just came out so beautiful.

 

Q) Shoes Droppin‘ was produced by drummer Dave Diamond (Bob Weir, Derek Trucks) with engineer Chris Laybourne, and featured co-writes with seasoned soul guitarist Sherrod Barnes (Beyoncé, Angie Stone, Ashanti, Whitney Houston, Roberta Flack and Queen Latifah). What attracted you to their work?

 

A) Dave Diamond has been my go-to for years. He’s in my band Army of the Underdog, and he added the jam band vibe.  I wanted that presence on my album.  Chris Laybourne (who passed in 2022) came along for the ride with Dave.  They worked together on many projects, and I trusted Dave to bring in the best.  Sherrod is a beast of a guitar player.  And he speaks Jessie!  I’ll say this needs some candy bits, and he’ll somehow understand what I’m trying to say and lay down a sick guitar part. His playing is tender, with a touch of pathos.  It was perfect for “Great One.” But he can also lay down the fire and brimstone with the dirtiest licks you’ve ever heard.  I rock out a bit on this new album.  You’ll hear his wicked arpeggios.

 

Q) You have shared the stage with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Chic, Duran Duran and most recently Little Steven and The Disciples Of Soul. Who would you love to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I would love to work with John Mayer.  If we can go back to the “Who influenced you” question, he’s one I forgot to mention.  I think he’s a brilliant songwriter.  If I can get over the inevitable giddy bubbles of laughs, I would have in his presence. I think we could write something beautiful.

 

Q) What album/group are you currently listening to and why do you like it?

 

A) I’m a big fan of Soraia, my label mate. They just put out a new single, “Every Motion,” and it slaps – hard! Bruno Major, one the complete other end of the spectrum, calms me and inspires me.  He’s an independent artist that got it right. I’m also really impressed with Labrinth. His production is very modern, which I typically don’t go for, but his lyrics are so personal.  I think he helps me connect with the sound of today where I tend to be a bit reluctant to embrace.

 

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

 

A) Social media is the introduction of sound in turn of the century films. It’s the radio in the 40’s. It’s the television taking over in the 50’s.  It’s just another example of the ever-changing look of media.  And probably the most powerful to date.  As an artist, you can’t sit on the sidelines and hope someone will eventually gravitate to you.  You have to make your presence known.  Social Media, for all its wonder and all its faults, is the lifeline that keeps you connected to your audience.  When they don’t hear or see you on social media, you are forgotten.

 

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

 

A) I would like to say thank you for wading through the quagmire of musical options out there and finding me.  Thank you for listening and supporting.  I hope my schizophrenic approach to production and vibes allows you to enjoy many different genres of music while taking a sonic journey through my albums. Thank you for allowing me to be me.