“Better Days” are coming and Jesse Palter is Here to Tell Us About It
Compared to the likes of to the likes of Nora Jones and Sara Bareilles, vocalist and gifted songwriter, Jesse Palter is here to dazzle us with her latest single “Better Days”. Palter signed with Artistry Music in 2016 to release her full-length debut album PAPER TRAIL in 2019, which was selected as LA Weekly's Album Of The Week and features ten tracks of aggressive piano-pounding pop/rock. With a loyal fanbase and notoriety in her field, there is no telling what Julia has in store for us next. In her interview with Rival Mag, Julia discloses everything from how she came up with her new song, what albums everyone should hear in their lifetime, what the best thing about being a musician is, and many more.
1. What is your background and how did you get involved in the music industry?
I have been pursuing a career in the music industry for most of my life. As the story goes, I was humming melodies before I could form sentences, moving to the rhythm of music before I could walk. I began piano at 7, musical theatre productions galore throughout my childhood, and I ultimately found jazz band in middle school. Around that time, I began writing songs and that's when things clicked for me. It's a blessing and a curse that I've always known that this was what I wanted to pursue. But here I am, years later, still kicking! I think at this point it's safe to say I'm a bit of a music industry warrior. Nothing about this pursuit has been easy, but I am simply addicted to music.
2. Was becoming a singer something you wanted to pursue from a young age?Yeah. When my nursery school teacher asked what I'm going to be when I grow up I responded "singer".
3. How has quarantine influenced your writing process?Oh, these are weird times to write for sure. I will be the first to admit that I don't have clarity on any of this yet. Sometimes I need to numb out. Sometimes I need to do nothing. Sometimes I feel crazy inspired in quarantine. Whatever my vacillating mood is in this thing we've come to know as quarantine, it has been a giant exercise in being gentle on myself. After the first several months, where I had zero creativity, I found a spark. It feels very purposeful to create, so I cling to every moment I'm inspired to write.
4. What did your writing process look like while coming up with the “Paper Trail”?I was on a mission with that record. I wrote an obscene amount of songs because I was trying to prove myself as a prolific writer to the record label that ultimately signed me and released that record. I committed to the discipline of songwriting and I woke up and "chased the song" pretty much every day, almost as if it's a 9-5. Getting a record deal was always a goal of mine and I'm grateful for the experience. But to be honest, I'm past the point of writing for anybody other than for myself.
5. What was the inspiration behind your single “Better Days”?Quarantine. Periodt.
6. What do you hope people feel when they listen to your music?SOMETHING! ANYTHING! I just want people to feel when they listen. That, to me, is my way to be of service and contribute to the greater good.
7. Who are some musicians that have shaped your perception of good music?Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Stephen Sondheim, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Prince, The Eagles, Billy Joel...how long do you want to be here? I could keep going...
8. What is the best part about being a musician?I get to feel things deeply for a living (and as a hyper sensitive little bean, that's probably what I do best).
9. What are some songs/albums that everyone should listen to at least once in their life?Miles Davis, Kind of Blue. Joni Mitchell, Blue. Carole King, Tapestry. The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds. The Beatles, Abbey Road. Carole King, Tapestry. Charlie Parker, Charlie Parker with Strings. Michael Jackson, Thriller & Off The Wall. Prince, Purple Rain. Stevie Wonder, Songs In The Key Of Life. I could keep going, but again, we'll be here all day...
10. Who are some artists you would like to collaborate with on future songs?John Mayer, Mark Ronson, Taylor Swift, Greg Kurstin, Max Martin, Larry Klein, Wayne Shorter (oh me, oh my, I'm all over the map!)
11. What has been your biggest achievement so far?Paying my bills doing music full time. It's no easy feat!
12. What are some causes that are dear to your heart and hope to bring awareness to in the future through your platforms?Suicide prevention, destigmitizing all mental health issues, supporting recovery of career related trauamas as a direct result of the music industry, amplifying and elevating black lives, standing in allyship with the LGBTQ community.
13. Where do you usually draw inspiration from?Life and living! My life, my friend's lives, the person I overhear talking at a coffee shop's life...
14. What it is the best advice you have gotten and from whom?"start where you are, use what you have, do what you can" - Arthur Ashe originally said it, but a musician friend of mine shared it with me. It helped me get over the daunting task as a perfectionist of setting up my own studio and recording myself.
15. What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?Diversify your abilities, and don't let anybody make decisions on what your music should be. Also, don't wait for anybody to do it for you and know that it's a slow burn not a big break.
16. What do you hope to achieve through your art?Connection; with both an audience and with my higher self.
17. What is the biggest misconception people have about your job?That what you see on social media is an accurate depiction of what it's really like. New flash: social media is not real life. It's a grind, it's tireless, it's a never ending climb. At the end of the day, if you're in it for anything other than the art at your core, I'm not certain it's for you.
18. What does music mean to you?Music is my language and the way I most comfortably communicate my thoughts and feelings.
19. What are some things you hope to cross off your bucket list once everything goes back to normal? I hope to get back to playing live gigs in front of live audiences, and to tour, extensively and internationally.
20. What are your plans for the future?It's hard to plan anything right now, this has been a grand exercise in taking it one day at a time. I just want to keep creating, to stay inspired and stay ready and most importantly, for all of my loved ones to be safe and well. My hope is to release more songs soon.
There is no doubt that Jesse has a bright career ahead of her. She hopes to reach as many people through her music as she can so, in the meantime, you can follow her journey over:
Her Official Site http://www.jessepalter.com/
Meet the Author
Violeta Nicola is a 20 old who has over three years of experience in the journalism world. Starting in 2017, Violeta launched her news website where she interviewed people from all over the entertainment industry. Over the years, she has worked for publications such as 71 Magazine, A Book of, Reignland Magazine and now she joined the Rival Mag Family. This year she launched her own magazine called N Magazine which is growing by the issue.