Jamming With JessX

By Sean Maldjian, Contributor

Photo provided by, Jess X

Meet Jess X

A self-portrait by, Jess X

Would you rather…

your left eye twitches for the rest of your life or you always feel like you have to sneeze?

I would rather feel like I always have to sneeze.

Some questions with Jess X

Hey, nice to meet you. Can you tell us a little more about your project?

JessX originally started as a three piece punk rock group that was formed in late 2020. I met Nardo (guitarist) at a thrift store I worked at and a month later we started making music with Matti (drummer/producer) in their basement. In 2021 it quickly became a five piece project. The band consists of Matti Dunietz (drummer/producer), Avi Henig (guitar), Eva Smittle (bass), Bernardo Ochoa (guitarist) , and Jess (vocals). I have always written the lyrics and my bandmates write the music around that. When I write I don’t really have an intention of making it for JessX, I normally determine what I do with the song after I feel done with it lyrically and find some type of melodies for it.

Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind your 2022 single “Scream”? What was the creative drive behind the track?

Gabe Greenland , a friend of mine who I have been wanting to work with for such a long time started producing this beat/instrumental that he welcomed me on to. When I got there and heard the instrumental for the first time the first thing that came to mind was the word “scream”. I felt like I had so much to say about other aspects of my life that I rarely showed on my past projects. Avi who also worked on scream added these sick guitar riffs that added so much to the sound of it. Matti came along and recorded drums that elevated the song. Having my friends there while recording such a lyricially vulnerable piece was very special to me.

When attending concerts do you prefer smaller venues with more intimate performances or larger stadiums/festivals? Why?

I definitely prefer smaller venues cause I love feeling intimate with the artist I am watching.

Are you a dog person or a cat person? Neither?

I love both. I have a cat named sushi that I adore so much even though he's psychotic. I can’t wait to get homeboy neutered in a couple days. Overall I do feel that cats are easier than dogs.

What was it like recording the music video for “Scream”? Are you happy with how it came out?

The video for this was so last minute it was so fun. My best friend Eva (who has a sick band called Birthday Girl and also plays bass in JessX) shot the whole thing. She definitely knew what I was going for and working with her is always the best. We rearranged her room in her apartment to give off the feel for the hallway I animated in the video prior to the shoot. My other bestie Margaret (who has a solo alias of Silvia K. /is part of a sick band called Lucky Number that I recently started drumming in) was on lighting and ran around with us. That night was so silly and fun.

Do you have a favorite family tradition?

So me and my aunty have the same birthday (November 11th) and growing up every year my aunty and the family would decorate the house for Christmas early. My friends coming over would be so confused but in the best way possible.

Have you gotten a chance to play “Scream” out live anywhere yet? How’d it go?

I had a release show at Mercury Lounge but have played it previously at other venues. The show went so well, I love playing at Mercury lounge because the environment has always been so fun and the sound system is really sick.

Who is your idol? Why?

When I was younger I definitely had idols but now I feel like I don’t really have that one person I idolize. I for sure look up to people though. One person I will always look up to is my brother Alika because he always reassures me that I have to just keep pushing no matter how rough it gets.

Who’s another NYC based musician that you’d want to collaborate with in the future?

“Thanks for coming” is one of my new favorite artists that I would love to make something with. I have a lot of solo acoustic stuff that I haven’t shared publicly yet. It’s a way different vibe then the punk projects I have out and collaborating with thanks for coming is definitely a direction I would want to head in with my solo projects.

Can you give us your essential items for surviving summer in New York City?

Cargo shorts and icelandic water. Icelandic water is so pretty/elegant. It’s also so good for you. Sexy people drink icelandic water.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Eva is my sisterwife for life