Since gaining well over 400,000 hits on YouTube for her song ‘Said the Raindrop to the Seed’ late last year, Jess Chalker has enjoyed a whirlwind introduction to what promises to be a very exciting career.
This has included touring as a support act for acclaimed Australian artist Lior, performing duets with the ARIA-award winner in establishments such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre Company, and 2009’s APRA Awards in Australia, not to mention securing herself a spot in the top 12 of thousands of entries in the recent Vanda and Young songwriting competition, and a memorable appearance at Peat’s Ridge Festival. Altogether, not too bad for a girl whose humble beginnings began in her living room singing into a webcam just over 18 months ago…
I think just as an independent musician you have to work really hard anyway. It takes time to build your fan base at grass roots level and to be able to really hold your own on stage and develop a great live show, plus looking after the administration side of things can be time consuming. You don’t become professional at what you do overnight and I’m still working towards that point. I definitely felt a lot of pressure initially as I started getting a bit of hype well before I had the experience to back it up. I’d never played a gig before the YouTube stuff happened so I had a lot of catching up to do.
2. Has your life changed drastically since ‘Said the Raindrop to the Seed’ went viral?
I wouldn’t say drastically, I mean, I considered a career path in music from that point onwards so my professional goals changed…actually I guess that is slightly drastic. It’s been nice though.
3. Have there been moments where you wondered whether all these great music opportunities were something you really wanted?
Definitely. My whole life I’ve struggled with self-belief issues so suddenly finding myself in an industry where you’re even more self-aware of who you are and what you do, that can be tough. There’s always that tendency to wonder if you really fit in, or if your peers like you, or if all the toil is worthwhile at the expense of what might have been a safer road.
It’s funny but I do really miss routine sometimes; you know, all the stuff like having a stable pay-check and the assuring constancy of my alarm going off at 7am every morning. But I sort of live by the motto that life is about experiences, and this is one that came along and seemed too good to pass up. And though sometimes I wonder what the hell I am doing, I instinctively feel that this is what I am meant to be doing right now. Sometimes it’s just good to go with your gut.
4. What career would you have pursued if you had completed your Masters of Media degree?
I’d probably be scaling the steep incline of a career in journalism and public relations in the arts. Although if I had the chance I’d be a travel writer. I’m addicted to travelling… I’ve backpacked through about 40 different countries and it would be extremely excellent to get paid for that lifestyle.
5. Do you have any idols in the music industry?
Yep, all of the incredible musos that you never hear about who keep on plugging and doing what they do best in spite of all the bullshit. That’s very inspiring to me. A good friend of mine, Mike Rosenberg, who goes by the moniker of Passenger, is an incredible artist and performer from the UK who has spent many years building his audience and craft organically by busking all over the world. That’s hardcore and I admire that passion and drive so much. He’s releasing a collaborative album here (lots of well known Aussie artists feature on it) towards the end of the year that you’re going to hear a lot more about I promise you.
6. What was the inspiration for ‘Said the Raindrop to the Seed’ the single (not the EP)?
I wrote it for the person I love. I read this story about a couple who had been together their entire lives and they died on the same day. I just thought that it was so beautiful and wonderful that they’d never have to mourn one another. I’ve always been really aware of my own mortality and have quite a romantic view of and fascination with death so I suppose the song is slightly morbid in that way. I guess the song is really just about enjoying every moment you have with the ones you love.
7. Where can fans buy a copy of your EP?
Through my website: www.jesschalker.com. Come and visit. My friend Monica designed the site and she is an incredible artist.
8. What was it like performing with Lior? It must’ve been quite flattering for him to hand-pick you as his support act?
Very cool and yes it was. Lior’s a great musician but also has a good head on his shoulders. He runs a tight ship and is very in tune with his audience so knows exactly how to put on a great show. It was a wonderful apprenticeship.
9. Where did the name ‘alleycat82’ come from?
It was a YouTube account I’d had for a while… Alleycat was a reference to a Disney movie called ‘the Aristocats’ which I loved as a kid. There is a song from that film called ‘O’Malley the Alleycat.’ YouTube it, it’s so damn cute.
10. Where would you like to see yourself and your career in 5 years time?
Alive and not malnourished would be great. Hopefully I’ll have made a few recordings that I’m proud of by that point and have also shared a few good times that I’ll be able to look back on and go, “that was totally worth being broke for.”
11. What genre would you classify your music as?
It’s kind of Joni Mitchell meets Regina Spektor. Avant folk pop? I just made that genre up but it sounds kind of cool, huh?
Image Credits: Soraya Zaman
