#MusicExchange: Jesse Clegg

11 Sep 2018

Jesse Clegg is a singer-songwriter whose three studio albums - When I Wake Up, his 2011 follow up Life On Mars, and his latest album Things Unseen - have made the man a platinum-selling success.

The young Clegg is currently on tour in the United States playing the Hotel Café in Los Angeles.

I caught up with him before he had to jet off.

What does music mean to you?

It’s my means of expressing my feelings and views about the world around me and connecting with people.

What drives you: ego or humility?

Both are useful in different situations. It’s important to be confident and have faith in your own abilities. But humility comes with experience and allows you to remove yourself from the equation and deal with challenges in an honest way.

Any funny moments on stage?

We once had a very drunk guy who jumped up on stage and started dancing. He wouldn’t leave until security literally carried him away.

Your heroes?

My family.

What is your most treasured possession?

My guitar.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

Scotch on the rocks with water.

Dream gig to do?

Red Rocks or Glastonbury.

Nicknames?

My nickname in high school was J-Crag. I actually have no idea where that came from.

If you were not a musician what would you do?

I studied a law degree so I’m sad to say I may have ended up a lawyer. Thankfully my music career has worked out!

Five desert island discs?

Radiohead – In Rainbows
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
Twenty-One Pilots – BlurryFace
Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid
Johnny Clegg – Cruel Crazy Beautiful World

Top of your bucket list?

Travelling through India.

Your greatest achievement?

Platinum sales on my album in South Africa.

Happiness is?

Being in studio and writing a new song. The moment when you hear the song back, and you know you’re onto something, is massively exciting. It’s difficult to write a great song so when you feel you’ve recorded something that has something special; it is a moment of huge satisfaction.