Meet Jesse Davidson: meme enthusiast, multi-instrumentalist and teen prodigy who has come along way since being a finalist in Triple J’s Unearthed High competition. This year, the local musician will be performing at the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival alongside other emerging acts from the alternative music world. We chat to the young lad who has been busy make a buzz in Australia and beyond.
Recently, his collaboration with unearthed high winner, Japanese Wallpaper polled at number 97 in Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown. Jesse celebrated “Between Friends” his first entry into the annual poll with his friends gathered around the radio which he thought was “pretty wicked”.
His impressive achievements thus far are just a small drop in the ocean (coincidentally, also the title of his debut EP) compared to what this wave of talent has planned for the year ahead. Davidson has been playing live shows, travelling and writing new music and we can expect to hear new music from him very shortly. “I’m in the process of finishing my new EP; mixing it, mastering it and getting ready for it to come out pretty soon. I recorded it in London last year.” He also found time to perform a few shows in Europe, but how does it compare to local gigs back at home? “Gigs are fun, gigs are great! I’ve been playing a few gigs which are fun to do especially in this quiet period where I’m waiting to get my new music out there.”
At his Adelaide shows, Jesse is often seen working or performing with the local acts. He cites Adelaide band Brokers as a prime influence on his music but also just an influence on him generally. “Oh man, I just love Brokers” so much so, that he has enlisted their help to prepare for his Portside performance.
“I’ve got Brokers on synthesisers and we’ve been practising as five piece band and going through the new songs. We’re changing up the live shows and playing less of the old stuff.” Jesse Davidson’s live set at Laneway feature full band arrangements of his songs and a new guitarist, one by the name of Chris Panousakis – who is better known as fellow Adelaide musician, Timberwolf. “Chris helps a lot and I can do extra stuff. It’s gets really busy when I am trying to sing and play all the parts simultaneously. It’s now a lot easier so I can simmer down and let him take control. Sometimes, he just sings all my bits and I’m like, “Chris. Stop singing my bits mate”.
Jesse is on pretty early in the day, in fact he will be one of the opening acts at the festival, fans can expect to hear some of his legendary stage banter as well. In between mingling with indie prince and princesses backstage and exploring the new and improved site at Port Adelaide, Jesse is keen to see performances by Future Islands, Conan Mockasin, Flying Lotus, Caribou and catching up with Canadian artist, Mac Demarco,whom he toured the east coast with last year. “Mac’s a laid-back kinda guy, it’ll be great to see him perform again.”
With a few slick singles under his belt, acknowledgement from some of prolific music profiles in the country a medley of other skills “I can fix a refrigerator (that’s where he puts his beers) and I can play the pan flute” it will be worth keeping a close eye on the prodigious teen to see what he will be serving up next. We would strongly encourage keeping up with Jesse Davidson banter on the internet, if the amount of effort that goes into his Facebook updates is an indication of anything, then we are all in for a real treat.
Interview by Jenny Nguyen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jesse.Davidson.Music
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jesse-davidson-9
Jesse Davidson is performing at the Adelaide leg of the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival. Tickets are available via moshtix.com.
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