Jess Meilman Discusses New Song, Career Beginnings, and Much More

With her single, “Cuts The Sharpest,” out now, we took some time to hear more from Jess Meilman. Read below to learn more about Jess Meilman, the story behind her new single, and what’s to come.

Hi Jess Meilman! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

Hey! I had been thinking about my artist name for as long as I can remember. I would go back and forth all the time and have even released some songs with a different name a while back, but it never felt like ‘me.’ My real name is Jessica Meilman, but I naturally always introduce myself as Jess. The people closest to me call me Jess, (sometimes Jessica if I am not listening, hehe) so I wanted those who are connecting to my music to feel close to me as well. It felt like the most authentic and aligned for me to release my first solo music project under the name that felt most like me: Jess Meilman.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I am from Westchester, NY, and I am now based in Los Angeles (as most artists do:) ).

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

Pursuing music full-time was always the true dream… I just think at times where I was not living in alignment with my soul purpose that dream was clouded. I have been in piano and singing lessons since elementary school, and every summer, I was in theater camp. I was always writing music in my family’s piano room. I remember even writing music in elementary school about tests and bullies because songwriting was just something that I naturally was drawn to for comfort and peace. My intuition was always leading me to music. I remember going to my first audition in high school for the show, X-Factor. I dragged my whole family to the audition. It was freezing, and they had us waiting outside in the cold for seven hours. I was so sure that I was going to get it, but I didn’t. The producer had said, “it’s going to be a no,” and that was it. I was in shock.

All my dreams and plans had shattered in front of me within seconds. I had such confidence in myself, and in that moment, everything changed. I remember being so heartbroken and crying outside the venue to my mom and some woman came up to me and said: “I heard you sing, girl, don’t you ever give up. You got talent.” It just made me feel better. I have remembered her words ever since, through all the auditions that I have done since then. It taught me that I will be getting lots of no’s, but all it takes is one yes to change my life.

I think when I went to college, I started to doubt that I could pursue music full-time. I still took singing lessons, wrote music, and was featured on some of my friends’ projects, but I didn’t yet have the courage to release music on my own. I went to college for landscape architecture because it fed the creative part of my brain, but also satisfied the part of me that wants to please people and do what I thought I was supposed to do. My soul knew the whole time that I would have burnt out after a while for not honoring myself.

Once 2020 hit, I graduated, and my perspective completely changed. I knew music was the only way. I am pursuing music quite simply because music is essential to my happiness and fulfillment in this lifetime. If I wasn’t doing music, I am not sure what I would be doing. At the end of the day, I aspire to just be proud of myself for pursuing my dreams, wherever that takes me, and to be present and grateful for where I am at right now.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

I grew up around music and Sundays filled with pasta, gravy, family, and Frank Sinatra blasting. My grandpa was a drummer in a jazz band and had shown me the power of music from a young age. My uncle, who was completely blind, was an insane drummer as well. My aunt was also a singer. My dad and sister are great drawers. My mom is a dancer, and loves to play piano and drums. And, my other sister is a dancer. I was always around music, singing, songwriting, and performing, and was naturally drawn to these types of things. I was often found in my family’s piano room creating songs for hours on end.

Music was never forced upon me, it was my natural inclination. I was told to follow those little inklings because they can help lead you to your purpose. It was in the piano room that I honed in on my artistry. I would lose track of time in there, and it was the only thing that allowed me to escape the world and my own mind. I was taught that music can heal and connect others, and I always wanted to be a part of that magic. Music brings people together in its special way, and it made me want to create music that people can relate to and know that they aren’t alone. I was sometimes told that I was ‘too sensitive’ when I was younger, but it’s these sensitivities that allow me to create the music that I do. There is so much strength in vulnerability and sensitivity. Cheers to the empaths out there! I see you.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

I would say my sound is moody, Lo-fi, Indie Pop, and R&B all in one…somehow.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

I have recently gotten into racing cars. My dad races, so he has been teaching me. I also love Pilates and taking care of my mind, body, and soul. I have really gotten into meditation and yoga to help calm my mind. My mind is always going and going! In order to stay creative, I just stay curious…curious of my emotions, growth, other people’s actions, my actions, the world, someone’s mannerisms, the birds chirping, the sound of the wind, everything.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Tame Impala, SZA, Steve Lacy, and Lizzy McAlpine.

Who would be a dream to collaborate with?

Billie Eilish and Finneas.

What are some of your future music career goals?

I would absolutely love to tour one day. That is the dream. To be able to share my art in person with souls all over the world would be such an honor. I am really focused on creating/finding my ‘tribe’ or what some would call fans. I want to reach them and create a community where we all feel heard. It would be awesome to open up for an artist too! Any opportunity, I am grateful for. I also would love to bring more awareness to mental health within the music industry. I have seen through my own struggles how bringing light to this topic can really make a difference and has grown to be super important to me. I would love to collaborate and write for other artists eventually too.

Now onto your release, ‘Cuts The Sharpest.’ What inspired this song?

I was inspired to write this song to heal the scars that only songwriting can reach with love. I wanted to touch this pain and embrace it in order to let it go. I, along with many others, had been through a really difficult breakup that affected me like no other has. I honestly have no idea how to suppress, haha, so I needed a place to share all of these thoughts and feelings. Music is the one place that I go to that helps me make sense of this crazy thing we called life. I turn to songwriting to lean into the pain in a way that feels cathartic to me. I never knew how to say what I wanted to say about this triggering situation until I started to write a song about it…and then, I was like ‘I know exactly what I want to say.’

What is ‘Cuts The Sharpest’ about in your own words?

‘Cuts The Sharpest’ is a gut-wrenching record about the longing and regret a breakup stirs up in the deepest parts of your core. I feel like the song builds in a way that makes your heart open to pain and joy simultaneously. The song is so d*mn sad, man. It is a deeply emotional record that will tug at your heartstrings – hopefully.

What is your favorite lyric in ‘Cuts The Sharpest’ and why?

Such a hard question! I came up with this lyric in the middle of the night. I had no idea where it fit into a song, at the time, but I knew exactly who it was about. ‘Love of your life cuts the sharpest’ would probably be my favorite lyric because I feel like the entire story can be summed up with that one line. The love of your life triggers your soul in such a special way. It’s an intense and magnetic love that triggers growth, pain, transformation, and cuts deep into the parts of your soul that no one else can reach. This kind of love is a unique experience that no one or anything can take away from you. It is scary and beautiful to meet someone that you share such a deep connection with. Saying someone is the love of your life is a very powerful statement because the love of your life holds so much power…they cut the sharpest.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Cuts The Sharpest?’

My hope is, always, that whoever takes the time to listen to my music feels seen and heard. I hope that my lyrics hold you through the pain and comfort you as you move through your journey. Everyone knows what pain feels like, and I hope this song helps you embrace the pain in order to release it and let new amazing experiences in. It’s ok to feel helpless, it’s ok to feel hopeless, it’s ok to question, and it’s ok to love dangerously deep. It’s all ok and will turn out better than you can imagine.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

I think the proudest moment so far has been at my first live show with my band. My family flew out from New York. I remember seeing all of my loved ones front row singing my songs with me, and I was like: ‘D*mn. It doesn’t get better than this.’ I came home that night and happy cried myself to sleep, haha. It was wholesome.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

I think that I learned that I really need to be intentional about who I let into my space – both personally and professionally. I believe the music industry CAN be a really draining and cutthroat place if I let that kind of energy into my space. But, I have promised myself that I would create a more positive and fulfilling environment with genuinely kind people who have my best interest at heart, who have similar morals, and are just authentic, kind people.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I am trying to release a single every 6ish weeks! I eventually would love to release an EP. I am always doing live shows with my band in L.A. These shows feed my soul.

Where can we follow you on social media?