Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Jesse Leor shines brightly on his twelve song debut “Act Your Age”.
The records psychedelic laced songs and charming vocal delivery are nothing short of stellar and theirs a brilliant sense of musicianship that flows through it from beginning to end.
I caught up with Leor to talk about his early musical experiences, how he started making music and the writing and recording process of making the album.
CMM-What was the first music that really made an impact on you as a kid and what artist or band did you enjoy the most?
Jesse-I have a distinct memory of being a kid, driving in the car with my older brother on our way to a family dinner, and hearing something that completely blew my mind. I had never heard music like it before. I never knew something like that could make me feel such intense emotions. From that moment forward, I was obsessed. I would spend hours analyzing different songs, trying to find the best stuff, the music that made me feel the most. That song was “Pigs (Three Different Ones)” by Pink Floyd.
CMM-How did you start writing songs and developing your own sound?
Jesse-I started writing “songs” immediately once I got my hands on a guitar, but I didn’t take it too seriously until COVID. I suddenly had much more free time to spend writing and practicing. It took me years before I made anything I was actually proud of.
My “unique sound” isn’t anything deliberate. I just write what I like.
CMM-You recently released an album called “Act Your Age”. What was the writing and recording process like and were there any particular pieces of gear you used to get the sound you were looking for?
Jesse-The album came together after about a year of writing songs that had nothing to do with each other. Once I wrote the title track, the album concept came to me and I rushed to complete all the songs I had written yet left unfinished.
Gear-wise, I just used what I have. I’m lucky to have a beautiful electric and acoustic guitar, bass, incredible amp, and microphones. The current plan for my upcoming projects is to have a higher budget, or at least be recorded somewhat outside of my bedroom.
CMM-If you could do a score for any film director, who would it be and what would the film be about?
Jesse-I’d love to do a score for a Richard Linklater coming-of-age film. Something sweet and nostalgic yet full of melancholy. Very indie.
CMM-Anything coming up?
Jesse-I’m playing The Windjammer in Brooklyn, NYC, on October 10th. Nothing else is scheduled at the moment, but I have a feeling that will change very soon.
As for new music, I’m constantly working on new stuff. I’m already making plans for my next release, which will hopefully come out in less time than I took between my previous one.
