As soon as I discovered Jessie Frye’s new album Kiss Me In The Rain (out last July 10th), I needed to interview her to know a little bit more about this solid synth-wave record and also to introduce her to all our readers.
As always hope you enjoy this interview and Jessie Frye’s music. I’m forever grateful to all the artists that allow us to have these interviews and a chat about their incredible work and themselves.
Thank you so much for this interview, Jessie! How are you doing on these chaotic times?
I am doing great, thank you! I am staying positive and staying focused.
Kiss Me In The Rain your new album has been released last July 10th. Did you finish the album before the lockdown? How has been the creative process of this solid synthpop record?
We completed recording the album before lockdown. It was mixed and mastered around May. I make music with my producer Matt Aslanian. We have been working together since 2013. We are great friends, so releasing this album during this time feels like a very special accomplishment to share.
Kiss Me in the Rain has this undeniable essence of romanticism mixed up with passion and vulnerability all over the synthpop sound of it, but also on the lyrics. How did you approach the writing process of this personal record?
Thank you. There is not a barrier between me and the music. I write about my own experiences, and it is profoundly deep and personal for me. I was writing the songs at the same time I was having the experiences, and I think that is why the lyrics are so vulnerable and confessional. Most of the songs were written at my piano and guitar first. Then I work with Matt Aslanian to bring them to life in the studio.
The record has such a smart tracklist as it fits perfectly as a 10-track story. Did it was created as a concept album from the beginning, or it just came naturally as personally romantic concept record?
In a strange way, the album started to take the shape of what I was experiencing. I realized halfway through that I was telling my story of a romantic experience. This is why I call it an emotional concept record. It is essentially the sound of someone falling in love and trying to make sense of it. The tracklisting is a reflection of that time frame and storyline in my life. It even rained a lot during the making of this album. It all felt very poignant and meant to be. There are also lyrical connections amongst the album if you care to listen for them.
You have been singing and performing live since 2008. How will you describe these 12 years of career? What was the sparkle that made you commit to the creation of an album (after 6 years) with your new label NewRetroWave, instead of continuing releasing singles?
I started singing at 8 years old and taking piano lessons around 11 years old. Being an artist, touring and releasing music for 12 years is something I am very proud of. I have a lot of fight in me. I have worked my ass off from the ground up. I have experienced countless letdowns, rejections and hardships like any artist does. I have played for thousands, and I have played for nobody. I have had incredible opportunities and have also experienced the depths of despair when you don’t know how to keep going. The resilience you gain from that is invaluable. I have dedicated my entire life to my music. I really believe in what I am doing and am so grateful to be where I am at now. Signing to NewRetroWave Records was the deciding factor in releasing this album. They are an incredible label. They truly care about the artists, and I am excited to grow together.
Tell us about your collaboration with Timecop1983. How the creative process of creating the Synthwave masterpiece “Faded Memory”? Do you remember how you first came across Timecop1983?
Back in late 2017, my guitarist showed me the song Let’s Talk by Timecop1983 and Josh Dally. I did not know what synth-wave was. I was just a Timecop1983 fan. I emailed Timecop1983 and asked him if he would like to collaborate. We hit it off as artists and friends. He sent me some beats to choose from, and one in particular stood out. I went into a daze and locked myself in my room for nearly 2 days when I wrote the melody and lyrics. I will never forget it. I had no idea it would become so big, but I think that is why it is so special- it came from a very innocent place. Nearly a year to the day later I was on tour with FM-84 with Ollie Wride and Josh Dally. That song literally changed my life and my career. Writing that song taught me a lot about vulnerability and not overthinking. Matt Aslanian did the mix for Faded Memory and added some extra elements to the song as well.
What are your main inspirations when it comes to your colourfully lighthearted and eye-popping visuals?
I create the concept for all my photos and music videos. I have a great team that helps me bring it all to life. I like to use a lot of symbolism, play with color and occasionally alter-egos. I honestly just sit with the song and reflect on what the true meaning is and how I can bring that to life with metaphors, wardrobe, scenery. Sometimes it is playful. Most of my work on Kiss Me In The Rain has a secret sadness to it, though.
This 2020 is gonna be a hard year for musicians, but how are you gonna promote Kiss Me in the Rain while the COVID-19 outbreak is still there? Are any intentions to release more videos or even some live performances from home of some of the songs?
We have a lot more content coming for Kiss Me In The Rain. Music videos, art, merch, and a few surprises I can’t talk about yet.
A dreamed collaboration, and why?
Trent Reznor, hands down. Jeff Buckley would have been amazing, too.
If you could only listen to an album all your life, what would it be?
There is no way I can answer that, haha!
And the last question. What is the most important thing you would like to tell people about you and your music?
My heart is in everything I do. I am so grateful to the listeners and their support.
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