Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter play BelloBar in Dublin on 24 April in support of their album, Forever, I've Been Being Born. We asked Jesse the BIG questions . . .
Jesse and guitarist Phil Wandscher formed the band in Seattle in 2001, blending folk, blues, orchestral pop and psychedelic stylings.
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Jesse is also known for her collaborations, most notably for co-writing and singing cult classic The Sinking Belle on album Altar (Southern Lord), a joint project with art metal bands Sunn O))) and Boris (Japan).
Prior to his work with Jesse, Phil helped co-found the influential alt-country band Whiskeytown with Ryan Adams.
He has recently recorded and toured with Jon Langford, the leader of The Mekons. Other album guest appearances include, Rocky Votolato, Nada Surf and Death Cab for Cutie.
Speaking about Forever, I've Been Being Born, Jesee says, "This album is our attempt to create elegant folk and sometimes ragged, cosmic, heart rendered songs full of eulogies and laments.
"Our sound is still familiar enough, but unrecognisable at times - we've gotten older and wearier, the music more fragile."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I've come to realise I am no different at 58 years old than from who I was at three years old, except that it took much of my adult life to figure out how to get back to that pure, childlike magic and wonder of three again.
I love so deeply it hurts . . . animals however, are the ones that own my heart and soul.
I’ve always feared death (my own) and ultimately losing my mother (she’s in hospice now but seems to be on the slow train). I think it’s quite possible I will turn into a fine mist and disappear upon her death, or I might become invincible.
How would you describe your music?
I think Jon Pareles from the New York Times described it best . . . He said we create, "spellbound music rapt in fatalism and sorrow." I don’t think it’s ever been described better since then;) I just hope our music leaves the listener feeling like they entered a world, as opposed to having just listened to a song. I want people to feel they can sit with their sorrow inside our music but come out feeling hopeful.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Janis Joplin, Sandy Denny, Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt, Lead Belly, Leon Russell, Neil Young, Jason Molina, Cat Stevens, The Grateful Dead, Nicolai Dunger, Marissa Nadler, Bonnie Prince Billy, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Grace Slick, Alice Coltrane, Sunn O))) and so many others!
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The first gig I went to of my own volition was the legendary Paul Butterfield. I snuck into the bar where he was playing at in NYC. I was 14.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Blondie’s Parallel Lines in 1979.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Stranger by Alan Sparhawk (of Low) with Trampled By Turtles.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I’ll attempt to do the impossible;) "Bruce Berry was a working man, he used to load that Econoline van"- from Neil Young’s Tonight’s The Night.
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If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Trouble by Cat Stevens. It’s so sacred to me that I’d probably only listen once a year…so therefore I’d have to be content with the silence between listens;)
Where can people find your music/more information?
My website.
Alan Corr
