Artist Spotlights: Femme Fatale Jesse Jo Stark Paves Her Own Path
L.A. siren Jesse Jo Stark explores horror and heartbreak through her country-fused classic rock sound and fictitious lyricism.
Artist Spotlights introduces you to small artists that may not be on your radar yet, but should be. With recently cancelled tours and income loss for small artists, there’s no time like the present to find new talent to support.
Written by Miranda Garza
Recommend if You Like: Mazzy Star, Sky Ferreira, The Cramps
Like a time machine, Jesse Jo Stark’s mesmerizing retro classic rock melodies transport her listeners back to the ‘70s. Inspired by bands like The Cramps, the 30-year-old California native fuses elements of country, punk, and folk to create a sound fueled by free-spirited nostalgia. Stark began making music in 2014 with her twangy alternative debut EP Down Your Drain, produced by the Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones, and has since then garnered nearly 200,000 listeners on Spotify.
The L.A. singer has described her discography as “horrific hillbilly,” a phrase that perfectly encapsulates her music’s old-soul atmosphere and her love for vintage horror movies. Stark modernizes her fascination with the macabre through lyricism in tracks like “Rot Away,” where trembling guitar licks cut through her velvet vocals as she morbidly proclaims her love for her partner with the line: “Please rot away with me.” Strident rockabilly rhythms take over for the fast-paced “Wish I Was Dead,” where Stark’s vengeful vocals growl against temperamental guitar riffs and incessant drums as she repeats the hair-raising line, “Never felt so alive, I wish I was dead.”
Stark’s earlier work, like her 2018 EP Dandelion, hints at Americana, incorporating the genre’s plucky, western sound into its songs. Soft electric strums followed by drawn-out drum beats bring a subtle start to the EP’s title track. Stark’s gentle vocals veil over the poignant track as she reluctantly parts from her relationship. Her dismal tone quickly shifts to upbeat and sunny as Stark imagines a day spent with The Velvet Underground’s Lou Reed in “Breakfast With Lou.” Doo-wop melodies fill the track as she sings about her infatuation with the singer in the lines: “Dark shades, black suede / Just another perfect day / I wanna have breakfast with Lou,” making reference to Reed’s signature look and hit song “Perfect Day.”
In her most recent EP, A Pretty Place to Fall Apart, Stark brings an experimental edge to her music’s alluring aura. Stark celebrates new-found freedom in the EP’s opening track “Not Your Little Baby Anymore.” Glimmering trap-infused instrumentals flirt with the track’s centric bassline as Stark parts ways with an old flame through liberating lyrics: “Now I’m thinking about these things, wondering what they might mean / Pocket full of memories, pawned them off like diamond rings.” Stark shows her vulnerable side in her haunting rendition of The Cardigans’ “My Favorite Game,” where she transformed the once fast-paced track into a sultry admission of defeat. Her solemn vocals stand out among minimal instrumentation after futile attempts to better her partner leave her hopeless. However, her melancholia is short-lived and her inclination for independence returns for the EP’s closing track “Fire of Love.” Heavy with instrumentation, the pompous track features dark electric hooks and static cymbal shrills that bring the EP to a grand finale.
On top of her EPs, Stark has also released a series of striking singles. With a few million streams on Spotify, “Mystery” is a blues-inspired arrangement featuring metallic brass horns that bring warmth to the mellow gem. In 2020, Stark released “Die Young,” whose subtle harmonies build into a collection of visceral violins and hazy electric strings. Poetic lyrics echo through Stark’s balmy vocals as she reflects on her strained relationship: “I’m your dance floor / But you always wanted more / I’m so tired of saying I don’t want you anymore / But they’re my words and they’re all dressed in black / I’ve never been so sad.”
Her latest release was the hypnotic “cry on me.” The psychedelic single is led by wavering guitar licks, as soft drums and a looping bassline linger behind Stark’s resounding vocals.
As she earns a name for herself through her siren-like songs, Stark has opened for a number of well-known acts including Jane’s Addiction, Lizzo, and Guns N’ Roses. Stark’s lush vocals and alluring stage presence is enough to captivate any audience, which comes as no surprise considering that she has her godmother, critically acclaimed pop icon Cher, to give her a few pointers.
By effortlessly combining the organic instrumentation of early rock with the experimental elements of modern music, Stark has developed a timeless sound that fits any genre. Regardless of the music style she tries on next, listeners can always rely on Stark’s gothic lyrics and unforgiving vocals to keep them captivated.
Listen to Jesse Jo Stark on Spotify. You can find her on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter @jessejostark.