Exclusive Interview with Jesse Medina

Music's Week: What inspired you to become a musician, and what drives your creative process?

Jesse Medina: What motivated me to become a musician? I would attribute it to my upbringing in a musically inclined family and exposure to various genres like R&B, Soul, and Hip Hop from a young age. I realized early on that music was my passion and what I wanted to pursue in the future.

Music's Week: Can you tell us about your latest single No Maám? What was the creative process like, and what are you most proud of?

Jesse Medina: The entire creative process of writing and recording took place at my producer Barry Bone's studio, The Wigwam. Later, it was mixed and mastered by Steve Glaze at Tonefreq Studios in San Jose, CA. Initially, the song was written to a different beat which was somehow misplaced. When we returned to the studio sometime later, Q-timer and I decided on the beat that everyone hears now. I'm particularly proud of the production quality, our vocal delivery, and the lyrical performance.

Music's Week: Who are some of your biggest influences, and how do they impact your music?

Jesse Medina: My biggest influences come from a wide range of genres. I didn't grow up with just one type of music, so my tastes can span from The Doors to Nas, Refused, Bad Brains, Outkast, The Strokes, Trevor Something, The Beatles, Tyler the Creator, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Organized Konfusion, Chelsea Grin, Big L, The Misfits, Freestyle Fellowship, The Gorillaz, The Deftones, Brotha Lynch Hung, XXXTentacion, etc. There's plenty more I could mention that you might not have heard of. My list of influences continues to grow every day.

Music's Week: What do you hope listeners take away from your music?

Jesse Medina: I hope listeners can take from my music exactly what I've taken from the musicians and artists I've admired – good vibes, good music, and an overall sense of realism and authenticity. Life's way too short to dance around the truth.

Music's Week: How do you approach songwriting, and what's your favorite part of the process?

Jesse Medina: As for my songwriting process, I don't have a fixed method. I prefer to let inspiration come naturally. Sometimes, I start with preconceived concepts or song titles that might develop into something more later on. However, if the vibe isn't right, I find it counterproductive to force it. Occasionally, when collaborating and under time pressure, I focus on following the music to get the job done quickly.

Music's Week: Can you walk us through your live performance setup? What's your favorite part of performing live?

Jesse Medina: As far as my performance setup goes, I like to just go up there, feel the music first, have fun, connect with the crowd, and always deliver as if it's my last performance.

Music's Week: How do you stay inspired and motivated to keep creating new music?

Jesse Medina: As far as inspiration goes, my life is art, so I find endless inspiration in everything I see. Most of what I write about revolves around something or someone in my life or life in general.

Music's Week: What's the most challenging part of being a musician, and how do you overcome those challenges?

Jesse Medina: The most challenging part of being a musician, I'd say, is simply getting heard and getting your music out there, which for some can seem like an impossible mountain to climb. To overcome this hurdle, having an investor or investing in yourself can help, as well as being highly adept with social media or promoting your music in general. Otherwise, it can feel like being in a jail cell, shouting for someone to hear you, but nobody can. Of course, there are cases where a record executive hears your music and offers you a deal, but statistically, these instances are rare, though not impossible.

Music's Week: Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're excited about?

Jesse Medina: As far as projects go, I have three dropping in the coming months: the first titled 'Extra Sensory Modes of Perception,' followed by another 3-song EP called 'This Way Westward,' and a third mixtape called 'Nostalgia Nuggets.' which is a mix of released and unreleased material.

Music's Week: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out?

Jesse Medina: My advice to musicians starting out: don't worry about what people say or think. Sometimes, people's opinions can weigh you down, and these can even come from those closest to you. There will always be haters and naysayers. Just follow your heart and your music, and don't take no for an answer.