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Lincoln Jesser recently released his excellent debut album Modern Color. The SoCal musician took some time to chat with us about the album, Coachella, and what he’s currently listening to. Check out the interview below and get the album HERE, you’ll be glad you did!
Modern Color is a few short days away and I’m sure it’s exciting to finally have it released. How long has this album been in the making and what was your overall goal for the sound/message of the album?
By now the album is out…it sort of gradually evolved over the course of the last year, starting with “We’ll Be Fine.” That song really inspired me to explore, and attempt to blur the line between analog emotions and electronic body music. I’m still figuring myself out at this point…I’m a product of this insane world we’re all living in just like everyone else. Modern Color is about appreciating your flaws, and acknowledging your power to color your own reality.
You’ve said that “The world is at a point where we now have an unprecedented potential to create joy, but also to cause pain and suffering.” Can you expand on that thought and how it impacted your music?
The world really scares me. I think every generation believes they might be the one to end it all or save everything, but technology is bringing that idea to a whole new level, and by the time we’re old…who knows? What kind of truth really is there? Only the one you create for yourself. That’s what my music is…an attempt to illuminate my own truth.
“Untold” is such a captivating and refreshing track. What inspired the song?
Thank you for that. It’s definitely one of my favorites off MC. The music for that one came out of me in a rush, one especially hot night at the beginning of the summer. It’s honestly one of the most all-encompassing records off the album…it’s about accepting that whether or not you believe in destiny, there’s only so much control you have over what happens in your life, and learning to appreciate that reality.
One of my personal favorites from the album is “Wicked Son.” What is the story/background behind it?
You’ll laugh…I was visiting my parents at home in the desert for a few days, and my mom caught me smoking pot, which she doesn’t like at all. We got in a bit of a fight over it…nothing too crazy, but she definitely wasn’t happy. I’ve actually since quit that habit for mostly unrelated reasons. The next night was Passover, which contains a story about 4 ancient sons, one of whom is the Wicked Son. My family is Jewish so we were talking about the story, and when that part came up, my mom and I looked at each other and laughed, and the whole song hit me. Wicked Son was a wrap within a day.
How long have you been making music? If you can remember, what did the first song you ever wrote sound like?
When I was a little little kid I would run around with sticks pretending to be a conductor. I was always messing around with pianos and everything. But I wrote my first real song when I was 13, just me and an acoustic guitar. It sounded like “Is This It” by The Strokes (at least I wanted it to), if “Is This It” was an acoustic song. It’s called “Sincerity.”
For many musicians, setting out on a path as a career musician and going to college don’t go hand in hand. How did your time at USC affect your music and what is the biggest thing you’ve gained from your time there?
Well, I met my management/label through one of my first good friends in college, along with a ton of other really talented artists of various mediums. The academic side of it was always a bit of a distraction for me, though, although I had some great professors and classes…I could never stop thinking about whatever I was working on in the studio at the time.
Being from the Coachella Valley, you’ve seen that festival explode in popularity firsthand. What was your first Coachella memory? If you had to choose one, what was the best performance you’ve ever seen at the festival?
First memory is when I was 13…my best friend’s parents bought us and one other friend tickets, only to see The Red Hot Chili Peppers. I remember Suck My Kiss, Californication, and Scar Tissue. Definitely a life changing experience. But Daft Punk’s Coachella appearance has to be my all time favorite. Metric was incredible as well. It’s hard to choose one, really.
After the album is released, what are your plans for the rest of the year?
Lots more music of my own, some touring, and hopefully creating with some other artists that I’ve been waiting to sit down with as well.
What is your favorite album of 2014 thus far?
Syro by Aphex Twin, or Worlds by Porter Robinson
Where is the best place to stay updated with you online?
Facebook and Twitter …. and Soundcloud for the straight up music.
Lincoln Jesser – “Untold”
