Jessie Payo

It was only just a year ago that I had started doing interviews for Yow Yow! and the first person I asked was Jessie Payo. Earlier that year, her band Jupiter Rising, had released their second album The Quiet Hype, which was packed with both pop-rock and hip-hop influenced tracks. Their songs were picked up and featured in episodes of The Hills, Criminal Minds, and The City. Jessie was the first person I wanted to interview because I was a huge fan of Jupiter Rising and had also met her for the first time a few years back. Anyways, a year went by and I decided to reach out to Jessie again. Luckily, we were able to get this going the second time around. She is an absolute sweetheart! I hope you enjoy this everyone.

Q: How old are you and where are you from?

Jessie: I’m a youngster from Los Angeles.

Q: Growing up, did you always see yourself becoming a singer? How did your career first start out?

J: When I was little I wanted to be a painter, then a dancer, then an actress. It never really crossed my mind that I would want to spend my life as a musician. My parents were very artistic and they had all sorts of artist friends that would come over and play music. One time at a backyard party, there were a bunch of musicians jamming out to a Janis Joplin song…at the time I had become a huge fan of Janis. So when the song began, I started singing really loud into the mic. I surprised my parents…and myself. Soon after that, my father started a band with a bunch of our church friends. We played coffee houses and small festivals with Aretha Franklin covers and blues songs. After that, I knew I wanted to keep on playing live. It wasn’t until later that I started writing my own songs.

Q: So Jessie, I actually met you three or four years ago at the black Friday event at Alderwood Mall in Washington. I’m sure you don’t remember meeting me, but I caught your performance w/ Jupiter Rising and after the show I met you and your band manager. I remember being so excited because I had never met a band that wasn’t local before. Back then, I told you that I was interested in booking you guys for a show at the venue I worked for so I was in shock when I received my first business card from your manager. Who was the first person that you met in your music career that has left you speechless?

J: Wow, Katie! That was a really fun show…really freezing too;) I’m so happy you remember that show because I had a great time at that show! Well, the first person I met that left me speechless was Jonny Lang when I was, like, 15…I’m not sure if you know who he is but at the time he blew up as this teen, blues prodigy! I was really into the blues at the time and it was so inspiring to meet someone that was young and playing music so enriched in the roots of American music. I was soooo in awe of his talent…and not to mention his amazing smile. Later on we got to share the stage together, and that was killer!



Q: You recently told me that you are no longer with Jupiter Rising. I’m sad to hear that especially because I still listen to both of your albums pretty often. What made you decide to end up going solo?

J: Yes, it was a sad breakup but a lot of things happen for a reason. Spencer Nezey is one of the most talented producers out there and he is now working on a project called Her Majesty and the Wolves. I felt I wasn’t being honest in myself as an artist and I also felt it was unfair to Spencer because he knew exactly where he wanted this band to go. I needed to step away to ask myself that difficult question “What is it that I want?” So now I’m feeling incredibly amazing writing new music and laying the foundation for more exciting things to come.

Q: I follow your Twitter as well and heard that you were trying out for American Idol. Is it true? If so, that’s very exciting! Are you able to tell us anything about it or is it pretty hush hush?

J: I can’t really share the details but it was a great experience.

Q: Who are you usually compared to? And do you think that this person and you are alike?

J: I’m usually compared to Nelly Furtado, Erykah Badu, Bonnie Raitt and Nikka Costa. I totally see the comparisons yet these four artists have completely different sounds. I take them all as a compliment



Q: Who were your influences growing up?

J: My first influence was Madonna. I would imitate her dance moves and bring my “Like a Virgin” cassette to kindergarten…where it was deemed inappropriate. Haha! After that I was heavily influenced by Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, Eric Clapton , Big Mama Thorton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Erykah Badu, Nikka Costa and PJ Harvey…that’s quite a list of random.

Q: Who is your guilty pleasure collaboration? Who would you like to collaborate with that your fans might find a bit surprising?

J: I would LOVE to work with Jack White….DONE!


Q: The music industry is tough business to get into, what has been your biggest challenge and what piec - www.yowyow.com

It was only just a year ago that I had started doing interviews for Yow Yow! and the first person I asked was Jessie Payo. Earlier that year, her band Jupiter Rising, had released their second album The Quiet Hype, which was packed with both pop-rock and hip-hop influenced tracks. Their songs were picked up and featured in episodes of The Hills, Criminal Minds, and The City. Jessie was the first person I wanted to interview because I was a huge fan of Jupiter Rising and had also met her for the first time a few years back. Anyways, a year went by and I decided to reach out to Jessie again. Luckily, we were able to get this going the second time around. She is an absolute sweetheart! I hope you enjoy this everyone.

Q: How old are you and where are you from?

Jessie: I’m a youngster from Los Angeles.

Q: Growing up, did you always see yourself becoming a singer? How did your career first start out?

J: When I was little I wanted to be a painter, then a dancer, then an actress. It never really crossed my mind that I would want to spend my life as a musician. My parents were very artistic and they had all sorts of artist friends that would come over and play music. One time at a backyard party, there were a bunch of musicians jamming out to a Janis Joplin song…at the time I had become a huge fan of Janis. So when the song began, I started singing really loud into the mic. I surprised my parents…and myself. Soon after that, my father started a band with a bunch of our church friends. We played coffee houses and small festivals with Aretha Franklin covers and blues songs. After that, I knew I wanted to keep on playing live. It wasn’t until later that I started writing my own songs.

Q: So Jessie, I actually met you three or four years ago at the black Friday event at Alderwood Mall in Washington. I’m sure you don’t remember meeting me, but I caught your performance w/ Jupiter Rising and after the show I met you and your band manager. I remember being so excited because I had never met a band that wasn’t local before. Back then, I told you that I was interested in booking you guys for a show at the venue I worked for so I was in shock when I received my first business card from your manager. Who was the first person that you met in your music career that has left you speechless?

J: Wow, Katie! That was a really fun show…really freezing too;) I’m so happy you remember that show because I had a great time at that show! Well, the first person I met that left me speechless was Jonny Lang when I was, like, 15…I’m not sure if you know who he is but at the time he blew up as this teen, blues prodigy! I was really into the blues at the time and it was so inspiring to meet someone that was young and playing music so enriched in the roots of American music. I was soooo in awe of his talent…and not to mention his amazing smile. Later on we got to share the stage together, and that was killer!



Q: You recently told me that you are no longer with Jupiter Rising. I’m sad to hear that especially because I still listen to both of your albums pretty often. What made you decide to end up going solo?

J: Yes, it was a sad breakup but a lot of things happen for a reason. Spencer Nezey is one of the most talented producers out there and he is now working on a project called Her Majesty and the Wolves. I felt I wasn’t being honest in myself as an artist and I also felt it was unfair to Spencer because he knew exactly where he wanted this band to go. I needed to step away to ask myself that difficult question “What is it that I want?” So now I’m feeling incredibly amazing writing new music and laying the foundation for more exciting things to come.

Q: I follow your Twitter as well and heard that you were trying out for American Idol. Is it true? If so, that’s very exciting! Are you able to tell us anything about it or is it pretty hush hush?

J: I can’t really share the details but it was a great experience.

Q: Who are you usually compared to? And do you think that this person and you are alike?

J: I’m usually compared to Nelly Furtado, Erykah Badu, Bonnie Raitt and Nikka Costa. I totally see the comparisons yet these four artists have completely different sounds. I take them all as a compliment



Q: Who were your influences growing up?

J: My first influence was Madonna. I would imitate her dance moves and bring my “Like a Virgin” cassette to kindergarten…where it was deemed inappropriate. Haha! After that I was heavily influenced by Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, Eric Clapton , Big Mama Thorton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Erykah Badu, Nikka Costa and PJ Harvey…that’s quite a list of random.

Q: Who is your guilty pleasure collaboration? Who would you like to collaborate with that your fans might find a bit surprising?

J: I would LOVE to work with Jack White….DONE!


Q: The music industry is tough business to get into, what has been your biggest challenge and what piec - www.yowyow.com

The hands-down highlight of the show was Jessie Payo, performing at the NoHo Arts Center. Payo had a slow-groove, alt-country thing going on, reminiscent of an early Dolly and Kate Bush love child – at times a little more Dolly, and at times a little more Kate Bush. She was definitely the crowd darling, crooning out bluesy country, rock and jazz, which at her best reminded me of what it must have been like to see Jeff Buckley. Payo commanded the stage, had fun with the audience and was entrancing to watch onstage. - LA Buzz Blog

The hands-down highlight of the show was Jessie Payo, performing at the NoHo Arts Center. Payo had a slow-groove, alt-country thing going on, reminiscent of an early Dolly and Kate Bush love child – at times a little more Dolly, and at times a little more Kate Bush. She was definitely the crowd darling, crooning out bluesy country, rock and jazz, which at her best reminded me of what it must have been like to see Jeff Buckley. Payo commanded the stage, had fun with the audience and was entrancing to watch onstage. - LA Buzz Blog

"The last band of the evening was a stripped-down set by Jessie Payo, who also entranced the audience with her smooth soulful vocals. I’d last seen Jessie at the Hear Noho Fest with a full band, so it was nice to see her have the same kind of soul with just a guitar and a mic." - SoupKitchenRocks.com

"The last band of the evening was a stripped-down set by Jessie Payo, who also entranced the audience with her smooth soulful vocals. I’d last seen Jessie at the Hear Noho Fest with a full band, so it was nice to see her have the same kind of soul with just a guitar and a mic." - SoupKitchenRocks.com

Lauren Mooney's of URB Magazine review of the album (and Jessie Payo) is very positive:
Before dismissing Jessie Payo as just another pretty face in the mass production of dance tracks, listen to what Jupiter Rising's founder Spencer Nezey has to say, "I know I can trust Jessie. Without her, there would be no Electropop." Sounds serious. In the first single that shares the same title as the album, Jessie sings "I may be your sweet spot/Take me to your candy shop." Layer in some old-school beats and synth and you've got a catchy track that manages to sound fresh and retro at the same time. Splendid. - Lauren Mooney of URB Magazine

Lauren Mooney's of URB Magazine review of the album (and Jessie Payo) is very positive:
Before dismissing Jessie Payo as just another pretty face in the mass production of dance tracks, listen to what Jupiter Rising's founder Spencer Nezey has to say, "I know I can trust Jessie. Without her, there would be no Electropop." Sounds serious. In the first single that shares the same title as the album, Jessie sings "I may be your sweet spot/Take me to your candy shop." Layer in some old-school beats and synth and you've got a catchy track that manages to sound fresh and retro at the same time. Splendid. - Lauren Mooney of URB Magazine

History need not be old to be influential. Spencer Nezey got interested in music production upon hearing In Search Of…, the 2002 debut album by N.E.R.D. (see: the Neptunes plus some guy). Five years later, he’s working with an outstanding vocalist named Jessie Payo under the name Jupiter Rising. What’s perhaps most surprising about their first album—Electropop—is that even though it doesn’t cover any new territory, it hits that pop-rock sweet spot early and quite often.

“Hero” is the big Mariah-styled ballad, but Payo never overuses her pipes like Mimi does: she has the occasional flutter, but that’s it. Her vocal presence is distinct, powerful, and full of personality.

Same goes for Nezey’s productions, even though he can’t really decide if he wants to be the next David Foster or the next Timbaland. The excellent “Go!” is Nelly Furtado with a rock edge, and “Foolish” comes off like a great Amy Winehouse B-side (even if its bridge is a little weak). Even with the great moments of genre deviations (like the jazz-pop of “They Say”), Jupiter Rising feels most comfortable when they’re up-tempo. The title track has the flirtatious banter of Furtado’s “Promiscuous”, a ready-made synth club beat, and even gives a slight name drop for 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop”—it’s ridiculous fun. Notice all the name-dropping that’s been going on? Jupiter Rising never pretend to be doing anything profoundly different—they’re just taking the best parts of all their favorite songs and styles and mixing them together into on concise little album. Electropop is far from groundbreaking, but who needs to be revolutionary when you’re having so much fun? - Evan Sawdey of PopMatters.com

History need not be old to be influential. Spencer Nezey got interested in music production upon hearing In Search Of…, the 2002 debut album by N.E.R.D. (see: the Neptunes plus some guy). Five years later, he’s working with an outstanding vocalist named Jessie Payo under the name Jupiter Rising. What’s perhaps most surprising about their first album—Electropop—is that even though it doesn’t cover any new territory, it hits that pop-rock sweet spot early and quite often.

“Hero” is the big Mariah-styled ballad, but Payo never overuses her pipes like Mimi does: she has the occasional flutter, but that’s it. Her vocal presence is distinct, powerful, and full of personality.

Same goes for Nezey’s productions, even though he can’t really decide if he wants to be the next David Foster or the next Timbaland. The excellent “Go!” is Nelly Furtado with a rock edge, and “Foolish” comes off like a great Amy Winehouse B-side (even if its bridge is a little weak). Even with the great moments of genre deviations (like the jazz-pop of “They Say”), Jupiter Rising feels most comfortable when they’re up-tempo. The title track has the flirtatious banter of Furtado’s “Promiscuous”, a ready-made synth club beat, and even gives a slight name drop for 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop”—it’s ridiculous fun. Notice all the name-dropping that’s been going on? Jupiter Rising never pretend to be doing anything profoundly different—they’re just taking the best parts of all their favorite songs and styles and mixing them together into on concise little album. Electropop is far from groundbreaking, but who needs to be revolutionary when you’re having so much fun? - Evan Sawdey of PopMatters.com