Fresh off the heels of her honest new single ‘Rabbit Hole’, Adelaide musician Jess Day has taken a seat with us to discuss her career highlights, her shining inspirations, and champagne fountains of Kombucha.
Growing up in the mining town of Roxby Downs and relocating to Adelaide in her preteen years, Jess Day started off making music in the usual beginner’s DIY fashion, with subject matters that only teenagers know how to tap into so excellently.
But now, all those years of bedroom-indie have channelled themselves into something excellent. Jess Day now crafts moody indie-pop and snarling punk tracks that would make the likes of Hayley Williams jealous. Every song released so far sprawls with the life and vibrancy of someone who knows their voice well, and uses it like a delicate weapon to carve out the very emotions from our hearts.
And this descriptor applies well to new single ‘Rabbit Hole’, which chants “misery loves company / you took all the best in me”, as Jess Day ruminates over a past love gone to ruin, with an edge that lends itself to both anger and sadness indiscriminately.
The rising Adelaide singer-songwriter will be embarking on a national tour this August supporting Boy & Bear around the country.
Her incredible breakout sophomore release ‘Why Is She So Beautiful’ caught the eyes and ears of triple j, where she was made Feature Artist of April. The single was also featured on playlists across Apple Music US and AU as well as Front Left and New Music Friday on Spotify.
With plans to spread her wings across the world and dig her sharpened talons into the Australian music scene, Jess Day sat down with us to help us get to know more about her passions and drivers behind her musical talent.
Get To Know: Jess Day
How did your artist name come about?
It’s my real name! Thanks, Mum and Dad.
How would you describe your music to your grandma?
I’d use Kelly Clarkson as a reference
Tell us about a few of your tracks; their titles and what they’re about?
Why Is She So Beautiful – This one has a lighter, more summery, indie vibe than my most recent release. It’s about how miserable you can feel when the person you were once in a relationship with moves on after a breakup. It describes all the icky emotions that come with comparing yourself to their new person.
Rabbit Hole – My latest single is about being in a toxic relationship with somebody and how it can suck the life out of you but eventually there’s a point where you have to walk away to look after yourself. It’s about realising you deserve to be treated far better.
What do you love about your hometown?
That it has my family here. I’m close with my immediate family and with my Nan and extended family in Adelaide and its really nice. There’s also a Vegan Yiros shop called Staazi & Co and it tastes like real lamb yiros – Honestly, no lie, you wouldn’t tell the difference. It has improved my quality of life.
Career highlight so far?
Probably getting to do interstate shows at amazing venues such as The Enmore and The Forum on tour with Boy & Bear. I grew up listening to them so it’s a dream come true really.
Fave non-music hobby?
Identifying wild mushrooms and foraging for the ones you can eat for dinner. I’ve also gotten into making Kombucha.
What’s on your dream rider?
Everything on the menu at Lord of The Fries and Staazi & Co. There would also be unlimited Kombucha but it’s flowing out of one of those champagne fountains.
Dream music collaboration?
Taylor Swift or Hayley Williams
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Maybe living overseas for a bit – hopefully somewhere cool like London. Ideally funded by all the royalties from my Taylor Swift collaboration. I will hopefully have a pet greyhound and at least two albums released.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’ – Panic! At The Disco
Check out ‘Rabbit Hole’ by Jess Day below:
