Project Description

Interview with
JIM-E STACK

(November 2020)

Interviewer – Celine May

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Photo – Clare Gillen

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“A hazy daydream that captures the fleeting nature of summer love . . . [weaving} together a cornucopia of sounds and timbres” – Ones to Watch on “Sweet Summer Sweat”

“A solid pop hook certainly doesn’t hurt the cause. Gratefully, it’s an art form that Jim-E Stack has nearly perfected.” – The FADER on “Note to Self”

“A potent reminder that sometimes the best way is through.” – E! Online on “Note to Self”

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I think it’s safe to say you’ve had quite the journey! You began making beats in high school to now having a plethora of collaborations and production credits for the likes of Dominic Like, Diplo and Charli XCX.

So, you first became interested in music in your teen years, dabbling in garage rock, jazz and DJing… what’s your go-to rock song to cover? and fav DJ mix? the early 2000s was a great time for remixes!
In high school my band always covered “Shit Luck” by Modest Mouse. My favorite DJ mix would probably be Pearson Sound’s BBC Essential Mix.

And over the years, you’ve lived across New Orleans, NYC and LA which has evidently influenced you sonically. Personally, what did each city teach you about yourself?
Collectively they taught me I need some sense of community in my life. I very much had that in New Orleans––where I really started to get into making music on my computer and I was excited about it. In New York I had a few close friends here and there, and some family, but those relationships didn’t really form a greater community for me. I was pretty unhappy throughout my time in New York and I wasn’t enjoying making music. When I started going out to Los Angeles, and eventually moving, I found that sense of community I had been missing the past couple years. Almost overnight I loved making music again and sharing that with people.

Do you believe at this stage you’ve found yourself as an artist? Have you found ‘your sound’, or do you think you have a sound?
I think I have a sound. And I’m definitely told so. I feel I’ve found that identity because I just make and follow sounds I want to hear. I don’t make music to fit what I think are listeners’ needs.

Fast forward to this year, you’re releasing an album Ephemera! Tell us about it.
My favorite eight songs I’ve ever made make up EPHEMERA. And each one is made up of musical scraps I’ve collected over the past three years––a vocal that didn’t get used for one artist’s project floats overs a beat that didn’t get used for another artist’s project. It’s all kind of collaged together. The only intention in the music making process was to make music. I then eventually pulled it all together into something I wanted to listen to.

Has the pandemic influenced the process at all, or perhaps the sound itself?
No. My process has been restricted a bit but I’m finding ways to work around that. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to.

One of your latest singles ‘Note to self’ offers words of wisdom as the world reckons with the pandemic, systemic racism, political chaos and more – Where do artists and music fit within the landscape? Do you think music should act as a source of comfort, or more of a call to action?
Music should be whatever its creator wants it to be.

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Your new album has a strong feminine energy, stemming from a greater understanding and appreciation of your mum. What has she taught you or shown you that you carry with you?
She’s taught me more than I could ever possibly put into words. I think because she was a single-mother working in a male-dominated space she had to work twice as hard and be twice as smart to succeed. She passed down that sense of tenacity to my brother and me.

In a musical sense, who are your female heroes?
Arca, Rihanna, Missy Elliott, MIA, and Mica Levi.

There are also quite a few collaborations including Bon Iver, Kacy Hill, Octavian, Dijon and Ant Clemons! Super exciting. How was navigating that? 
There wasn’t much to navigate. They’re all just friends who I’ve made some music with over the past three years and some of that music happened to make its way on to my album.

Prior to your early 20s, you were actually hesitant and fearful that featured vocals would take away from your vision, what changed?
I stopped worrying about my insecurities about how my music would be perceived and solely worried about making good music that I wanted to listen to, regardless of who was involved in the process.

What is the best way to listen to the album? (From start to finish? According to mood? Earphones in, lounging on a Friday night? Blasted on a late-night drive?)
In headphones on a walk, alone.

And finally, when it’s safe enough to tour, we hope you head down to Australia to play the album for us! What would you most look forward to?
Tim Tams



QUICK FIRE Questions
– Dream collab? André 3000

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– Hidden or weird talent? Maybe making a good cup of pour-over coffee.

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– Most unexpected artist/band you listen to? Britney Spears, but really just The Neptunes’ songs.
– What song do you have on repeat right now? “Worth It” by beabadoobee

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Listen to ‘JEANIE’ (feat. BON IVER) HERE

Buy EPHEMERA album HERE

EPHEMERA
Album
Out NOW via AWAL

Note to Self (ft. Empress Of)
Jeanie (ft. Bon Iver)
Sweet Summer Sweat (ft. Dijon)
Be Long 2
Lost Man (ft. Octavian)
One Shot (ft. Bearface)
Good Enough (ft. Ant Clemons)
Can We (ft. Kacy Hill)

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Follow JIM-E STACK
FACEBOOKINSTAGRAM

TWITTERSOUNDCLOUD

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AMNPLIFY – DB

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