Music > Interviews
Interview with Jessie Ware
06/06/13
Two words are on the lips of every ‘new music fan’ in the country.
Two words are sprawled across countless publications (including this one). Two words have come to describe excellence in fusing Dance, Soul and pop.
Jessie. Ware.
If you haven’t listened to her stellar debut album, Devotion, then I imagine you’ve at least heard her name. After all, not only has it been nominated for MOBO awards, Brit Awards, and the Mercury Prize, but she’s also attached it to a number of collaborations – including tracks with SBTRKT, Sampha, Joker, and Katy B.
In fact, Jessie is somewhat a social and musical butterfly. She discovered her love of making music a few years back when she toured as a backing vocalist for her pal Jack Peñate.
It’s a wonder the bug didn’t bite her sooner – another pal of hers is Adele and she lived with Felix from the Maccabees for some time too, but she was too busy studying English Literature at university, and then spending time as a journalist, to explore her potential as a singer.
It’s a good job she eventually did. Her voice has the power to caress you like a midnight-blue velvet blanket. She has the rare gift of effortlessly conveying genuine emotion. Her songs downbeat, but in no way depressing…
… In fact, she’s charming and enchanting and funny. She’s a London lass, born in Clapham, living in Brixton, on a journey to the top of her game, enjoying the huge peaks along the way…
What’s been the best moment for you in the past 12 months?I think the day that my album came out was really, really special because Red Bull Studios did this great thing where they transmitted it live, and it felt like a right party and celebration. Amazing things have happened since but I still remember having my friends around me, and celebrating that I had an album out.
So many people are talking about you breaking America; do you feel like you’ve done that yet?No – I think it’s such a huge place. I tend to sell out some venues in New York and LA and some other places, but I haven’t been around the whole country, so for me to think that I’ve broken America yet is a bit optimistic.
When do you think you’ll know you’ve done it?Fuck knows – I don’t know… I really don’t know.
Is it important to you?Yeah, I love playing in America; it’s amazing. It’s important to me because I love performing there. It’s just as important as anywhere else. It’s a really nice place to tour so if it works out there, that’s going to be a bonus.
Your album is awesome…Thanks!
- And it explores so many genres quite subtly – soul, hip hop, pop, dance – are there any other sounds or areas of music you want to explore on your next record?I think I’ll be keeping with the same kind of stuff… I don’t want to go away too far from the first album, you know?
You collaborated with A$AP Rocky and I read that the partnership came about after he mentioned you in an interview. Is there anyone you want to collaborate with now – who you could put the feelers our there for in this interview?[takes a moment to think] I don’t know, I think I’m pretty lucky to have collaborated with the people I have, like on the new Disclosure album. Like A$AP - I met him at the weekend and he was lovely, I’d like to work with him again properly.
You’ve grown up with lots of really well known friends. Is it strange for you that it’s your name that is everywhere now?I don’t think my name is everywhere…
I think it is.Thanks. Well, at BBC Radio 1’s Big weekend recently, there were lots of girls waiting [at the airport] for other bands like Paramore. I think they thought the script were on my flight… they definitely weren’t waiting for me! But then they recognised me and they wanted pictures and you know, that’s quite bizarre – that’s never really happened to me in an airport before. I think it was probably because they were waiting for other bands.
I know you were raised in a Jewish family – and you were a journalist at the Jewish Chronicle before your music career – does faith have any impact on your music?Faith?
Yeah… Ummmmm, not really. I think my mother being a Jewish mother has probably helped a bit, but that’s about as much as it has. Yeah, I don’t think so.
You’ve got a summer full of festivals coming up – Rockness, Parklife, Glastonbury Wireless – but the most important for us – LATITUDE! Have you been before?I’ve never been to Latitude and I’ve always wanted to go. I’ve been waiting to play this festival for ages. Loads of my mates are going to come with me and I’m looking forward to going to loads of stuff in the Comedy tent and the Poetry tent. I think I’m going to stay for the weekend. I think I’ll probably camp - I’m not camping at Glastonbury though.
What do you love about British festival culture?I just think we do it the best. We know how to put on a good festival. The bands are amazing and people aren’t scared to let loose and get dirty which is always great too.
Imagine you have 3 days off in a row in London. What do you do with your time?I’d probably get a facial, a massage, and I’d end up re-tidying my flat because I always feel like I need to do that. I make it so messy whenever I come in and out; I’m like a Tasmanian devil with all of my suitcases. I’d also see my mum, I’d see my friends and I’d cook for my boyfriend. I probably wouldn’t try and be too ambitious with my time.
What are we going to get next from you Jessie? Is there another album on the way?Yeah I think the next year will be taken up with me writing after the festival season. Getting on with a new album.
Let’s end with a quick fire round: Mushy peas or curry sauce?Mushy Peas
Pretty dress or power suit?Power suit
Night in or night out?[pauses for thought] Hmm... Night out - if it was in good company, it’s bound to be great.
Sophie Little
One night out that’s bound to be great, and surrounded by good company is Sunday at Latitude Festival, which is when Jessie Ware plays the Obelisk stage. Be sure to join the queue of super-fans ready to join the after party at her campsite… For tickets and more info, go to www.latitudefestival.co.uk