Hey everyone! This is EROCK with Revolver Underground! I had
the unique opportunity to sit down with Folk/Amercan/Indie artist Jesse Lafser
courtesy of BalconyTV Nashville! Here is what was said!
EROCK: What makes a perfect Writing environment for you?
JESSE: I would
say writing for me is a personal experience. I know Nashville is big on
co-writing but I don’t do a lot of that because for me it’s almost like I step
out of the way and it’s like this river comes through. It’s very inspired very
personal and very deep to me.
EROCK: Some Creative influences for you would be?
JESSE: I would say people’s stories, nature, life and living
in the moment. I can find myself inspired at any given time really.
EROCK: Have you ever re-written a song?
JESSE: No. I usually throw out a song if it doesn’t come out
in 30 minutes. My song writing process all happens at once.
EROCK: What was the moment in your life that you decided
that you wanted to be in artists?
JESSE: I went to a summer camp when I was 16 and saw the
counselors playing guitar and how it brought people together through sound and
I was man that’s really something I want to do! I have a very artistic
perspective on life anyway so the first time I picked up a guitar it just fit
and said I’m going to be doing this the rest of my life.
EROCK: That’s awesome! So you just picked up a guitar and
said it feels right! Let’s go ahead and do this!
JESSE: Ya! I started practicing and I couldn’t put it down!
Every day it was just hours and hours and hours. Then I started writing songs
every single day and it just became a huge passion in my life
EROCK: What’s one thing you would want a new band/artist to
know?
JESSE: Definitely 2 main things. The first thing is to just
be your self. The more you try to be somebody you’re not the worse the response
you’re going to get. Secondly I would say share your music with other people
and build with each other because I think the more it’s like every man for
themselves the worse off you become.
EROCK: Do you tour at all?
JESSE: I’m actually in the process of planning a tour next
fall (2011).
EROCK: How long is that going to be?
JESSE: I’m thinking about 3 months for that tour. So, it’s
going to be a long one. But, we’re planning to go all the way up the North
East. All the way up to New York and back.
EROCK: Shows every day?
JESSE: Shows maybe every other day.
EROCK: So you want to get some site-seeing in?
JESSE: We want to do some vacation time in between and just
kind of keep it chill you know? But still make money!
EROCK: Now how do you afford that? What is your preparation
for going on tour for 3 months?
JESSE: I think it just depends on the venue and the right
people to talk. I have certain places that I’ve talked to that are offering a
really good amount of money for a solo act so basically just trying to do it
like that. I don’t have a set plan yet so that’s why there is a year before
it’s happening lol.
EROCK: So all the planning takes place now! That’s awesome!
3 months! That’s a huge commitment!
JESSE: It’s a big commitment but I’m really ready for that!
EROCK: Is there a certain thought or ritual that gets you in
the right mindset for 1) Writing and 2) A show?
JESSE: Um…whisky..no. Just kidding. I guess every time I go
on stage I just try to think this is what I love to do! There is nothing else
in this world that I am made to do! I try to tell myself “you’re a
professional! Just go out there and do what you do!
EROCK: Do you ever get nervous right before you go on stage?
JESSE: I used to get really, really nervous. Growing up I
hated giving speeches in school but I guess as time went on I played a lot of
shows and I feel a lot more comfortable so not any more. No.
EROCK: Sometimes when I’m playing I get really nervous in
front of 2 or 3 people but when I’m playing for tons of people I don’t get
nervous. Is that something that happens to you?
JESSE: Ya. Actually I would say so. It’s kind of weird when
there’s especially one person sitting in front of you that you don’t know very
well. I’m probably just going to look down and not stare into your face lol. So
I understand what you’re saying.
EROCK: What’s you’re favorite place to create/write music?
JESSE: Oh wow! That’s a good one! I would say maybe my house
right now. Which that’s really dumb but..
EROCK: What part of your house?
JESSE: I have a music room and it’s all hard wood floors and
the lighting is just beautiful when it comes through the windows. I have a desk
space with all my instruments hanging on the wall. It’s really inspiring and I
write my songs on a type writer..
EROCK: Old school!
JESSE: Yes. It is very old school but that’s what inspires
me!
EROCK: Has there ever been a time in your life when you thought
I don’t know if this is the right thing to be doing?
JESSE: I’ll be honest. It is not easy to be an independent
artist but I think for about 3 years, when I first started writing, I was super
inspired, I was writing every day and then after my second release, my first LP
record, I just got extremely burned out. A lot of stuff happened with that
record and for a while there I want through a depression and I was like man! Am
I even supposed to be writing songs? The more I looked at it and looked at my life
I was like There is nothing else I should be doing. So, at the end of the day I
always have there certainty.
EROCK: So there will be trials. There will be things that go
wrong. But overall you’re in it for the long haul?
JESSE: Absolutely!
EROCK: Let’s talk a little bit about the economy. How has
that affected you as an artist?
JESSE: It’s affected me a lot! I think right now it’s harder
to get people to buy CD’s and I think what people are going for more right now
are live shows. Which is actually kind of cool if you’re touring. I think
that’s the main thing right now. But, CD sales are down and it’s hard because
as an independent artist you’re having to find the producer if you want a
producer and pay for studio time. Then you have to pay for the artwork and the
design. It gets crazy! You have very little support.
EROCK: Now do you do any other merch like T-Shirts or
stickers?
JESSE: I’m working on a flask…
EROCK: Nice! We’re coming back to the whisky thing lol!
JESSE: Ya. I’m a whisky girl.
EROCK: Me too
JESSE: But it’s going to be cool! My first record is called
“Tiny Wars” so It’s going to say “Creating tiny wars since 1987”. Which was
when I was born. So just a little funny thing because I feel like people are
sick of T-shirts so let’s do something different.
EROCK: How long have you been doing this?
JESSE: I’ve been playing guitar for 8 years and writing
songs for about 7.
EROCK: OK. So is it harder now, to do everything that you do
as an independent artist, that it was 5 years ago?
JESSE: Yes! It’s a lot harder I think. It’s different when
you’re financially supporting yourself. I think that puts a huge strain on your
creative process.
EROCK: So what cuts have you had to make?
JESSE: I guess just finding people that are willing to play
for the sake of music apposed to paying everyone you play with. I’m just not
able to do that right now. So I think stuff like that has really helped out.
EROCK: So you’re looking for true musicians?
JESSE: Right
EROCK: Where can we find your music?
JESSE: iTunes, jesselafser.com, CDBaby.com, amazon.com.
Basically my website takes you to different links.
EROCK: There you go! Jesse Lafser ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for coming on the show! I really appreciate it!
JESSE: Thanks a lot!
Get Jesse’s latest album “Tiny Wars” through iTunes and at
www.jesselafser.com! Also, check out www.BaclonyTV.com/Nashville for
other great artists! To watch the video of this interview please visit www.RevovlerUnderground.com!
I’m EROCK. Peace!
