A brief chat with Jesse Marchant

Canadian singer/songwriter Jesse Marchant has been playing under the name JBM for some years, but he reverted to his full name for last year’s self-titled album. He has a new video out for the “Words Underlined” song (starring Amanda Seyfried – see below), and he’s at the Lost Lake Lounge in May. We had a good chat. C

Yellow Scene: Why did you choose last year to put out a self-titled album?

Jesse Marchant: I don’t know. I hadn’t thought a lot about the JBM stuff when I started making records. After a while, it started to feel like it was an unnecessary sort of disguise of what I was doing. I figured I’d be making records for a long time so I might as well just start naming them who I actually am. The JBM stuff was just my initials anyway. This record felt particularly comfortable in it’s skin, so it made sense to have it be self-titled and be in my name.

YS: What is the new song, “Words Underlined,” about?

JM: I’m reluctant to really say what a songs about because I feel like it spoils it for people, but I guess it’s just about several people in a period of time where there was just a lot of people being hurt by one another. A lack of acknowledgement of whatever.

YS: Do you like playing Colorado?

JM: Yeah, I’ve played in Denver before. I’ve had good experiences there. I’ve never really had that much time to spend there, unfortunately. I can’t remember exactly the last time I was there, but whenever I think back on Colorado, I get a good feeling. I’m looking forward to being there again.

YS: What are your plans for the set?

JM: I’m playing with my band, and we’ll be playing a lot of the new record. We have a few songs from the first record that we mix in there. We have a nice light rig that we take out that my brother designed for me. The set’s pretty dynamic, because there are a couple of songs that are extroverted. I’ve never played in Denver with a band, I’ve always played solo. It’ll be something different this time.

YS: After this tour, what’s next?

JM: I haven’t figured that out yet. I’m planning it as I go along. It’s always last minute with me. I might do some more touring, and play in Europe. I’ve been writing a little bit lately, so I might complete some stuff I’ve been working on. I don’t think I’ll be making another record for a little while, but I’m always working on things and waiting on them to come together.