JessB and half.queen live at NOTW
JessB is an integral part of the layers of sound that make up Neck of the Woods with a long list of gigs held here from the rapper’s first show all the way up to sold out shows. Jess has since gone on to play stadiums and international festivals but still comes back to bless our stage.
We caught up with JessB during the most restrictive time of quarantine in Alert Level 4 and chatted about getting back into the studio, thoughts on the music industry and how things will change in the landscape post-lockdown. Even though Jess talks about slowing down during lockdown, the Auckland rapper has since gone on to release a new single Pon It, host a live streamed FILTH festival with half.queen and kicked off May with a 2020 Taite Music Prize nomination.
First of all, how have you been spending lockdown?
I have been allowing myself to go slowly (for once lol). I’ve been trying to get creative in ways other than music because I didn’t want to pressure myself too much during this time to write a hit or be super productive.
What podcasts, apps, books, live streams, TV series etc have been keeping you sane?
I am currently reading Bell Hooks “All About Love” , would definitely recommend. Other than that I have been mostly watching a stupid amount of Netflix. I’m currently watching the Michael Jordan doco which is really good and the boys in my flat have taught me how to play COD: Black Ops and GTA5 (absolutely terrible at both).
What are you looking forward to the most as we move into lower levels?
Getting back into studio again is going to be so good. Also being able to see my friends… I miss those eggs!
The lockdown has had a huge effect on all levels of our music industry. How has it effected you and how are you navigating these challenges?
I think the main way that it has affected most musicians (including myself) is the live / gig aspect of what we do. I had quite a few booked shows in NZ / Australia that have either been cancelled or postponed until next year. I was also spending quite a bit of time in Australia generally with music related work, and that can’t happen anymore obviously because of the travel restrictions. This has put pressure on us financially (literally don't know when and how money is coming in atm lol) and also in terms of momentum, which can be easy to lose!
It’s just the way it is right now unfortunately, and I’ve been navigating it by focussing on the things I can do, and thinking about how I want to release music and the moves I want to make once we are able to. So many of us are in the same boat so the collective support between artists and fans has been cool.
Do you have any post lockdown plans for your music?
Yesssss I have lots of music I recorded last year overseas, and in NZ before lockdown that I have begun the rollout for !
A lot of people are seeing the changes brought about by isolation and lockdown as an opportunity to enact some positive evolution not just at a personal level but at a community level. Are there any positive changes you’re envisaging for our music scene, or even on a personal note?
I think that the way people have engaged online with their favourite artists has been really dope. The increase of Instagram/FB lives and creative “outside the box” content has been cool to see, and I think that support online is so important for artists to feel like we are connecting with those who follow us on socials! I hope that the support online continues even after lockdown, and that people continue to really get behind the artists who provided entertainment and music for us while we were stuck at home. I’m also hoping that people will want to attend gigs just as much as musicians want to play them once lockdown is over!!
I think that for me it's also re-affirmed the importance of my social connections and communities and how they play into my wellbeing! My world is no where near as cool and warm and awesome without all my people in it.
JessB quickly went from playing a first gig at Neck of the Woods to playing stadiums and international festivals
Lastly, do you have any iso survival tips you can share with our community?
Stay connected to the people you love! It’s never going to be as good as IRL but all the zooms I have had with my friends and fam have made me feel way better after :)
Buy music by JessB on Bandcamp, stream Pon It and follow JessB on Instagram.