Boy Found in the City
One part student, two parts confident artist, Jesse Clegg is fast carving out a distinctive spot for himself in the local music landscape. We talk to him about his album going gold, what it was like touring with his father as a little kid, and find out which local artists he respects the most.
abouTime: Congratulations on your album, When I Wake Up, going gold! Did you have any idea it would be so well received?
Jesse: No, it was an incredible shock for me, especially considering that I never wrote the songs to be recorded. I never had a career in music in mind. It’s been overwhelming, and I feel incredibly lucky and incredibly blessed to be in this situation
aT: Are there specific tracks that you like to perform?
J: My favourite track to perform at the moment is Girl Lost in the City. It’s really a fun song, it’s so upbeat and the crowd really loves it. It’s also so cool to see everyone singing the words.
aT: Are you currently working on another album?
J: Yep, I’m currently writing and recording demos. I’ve got about nine songs that I am happy with, and like a million others that I’m not… But I think it’s very important not to force yourself to write. If you’re uninspired and you force yourself to write, you’re actually going to write uninspired music and it’s not going to be up to standard.
aT: Did you consciously choose rock as a genre?
J: It wasn’t a conscious decision to do rock ’n roll. What was a conscious decision, was that if I was going to be a musician it was going to be on my own terms, and I was going to be my own artist. I don’t want to copy anyone else, especially not my dad. I’ve always listened to rock music and when I started writing, it was just the way it came out – it’s the only way I can explain it.
aT: What was it like touring with your dad as a kid?
J: I feel very lucky that I had that experience. People don’t see that it’s not just glamour, it’s actually a business, and it’s a very hard business. I think that it gave me a bit of disillusionment; it even made me a bit hesitant to get into music myself. But now that I am in it, I know what to expect, and I have a strong sense of priorities. And obviously being a young person on the road – touring, meeting people, seeing new towns and new places, and going around the world – is an incredible experience, and so exciting.
aT: Do you often ask for your dad’s advice?
J: I try and do my own thing musically, but sure, in terms of how to deal with band members and management and record companies, and fame as well… These are all things he’s been through, and he’s found a way to incorporate that into his lifestyle, and incorporate that into his value system, and how to actually kind of handle it.
I think to have someone who’s experienced it is something that I am lucky to have. Most young artists are just put into this position, and they have no reference point; there’s no one they can talk to about it… I really sympathise, because it’s quite a confusing place to be in, as a kind of famous person, especially when you’re young. As a young person you’re trying to define yourself, you’re finding your place in the world. When you’re a public figure, people are defining you for you, and it can become quite confusing in terms of your identity, in terms of your own growth and how you view yourself.
aT: What do you do when you’re not making music?
J: I’m studying a law degree at WITS. I’m either studying or I’m in the studio, it is quite intense… And I’m on campus, and hanging out with my friends from varsity and I play squash a lot. But at this stage, free time is just quite hard to come by.
aT: Which local artists do you respect?
J: I really respect the artists that have been around for a while, and have stuck it out album after album after album. For example Prime Circle, Arno Carstens, even The Parlotones… Something that my dad’s always told me is that in this industry, it’s not “can you do it?”, it’s “can you do it again?” And it’s funny, of all the musicians I’ve met, the guys who’ve been in the industry for a long time and who’ve really done so well, those guys are the most down to earth, most chilled out, most friendly people. And that is exactly why they’ve made it, because they actually put it all into perspective.
aT: What’s the first CD you ever bought?
J: I think it was Oasis, What’s The Story Morning Glory. At least it wasn’t the Backstreet Boys!
aT: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
J: I think it’s the advice my dad gave me. He never pressured me to get into music, and he just said “whatever you do, do it with passion”. It might sound clichéd, but I think in this industry it’s a hard thing to keep focused on. It’s the most important thing, so for me I just try and keep reminding myself of that.
Jesse Clegg will be going on a national tour at the end of this year. Get your latest Jesse Clegg news on his website www.jesseclegg.com.
Story by Jacqueline Cochrane/www.jacquelinecochrane.com
