Renowned British singer-songwriter and alt-J frontman, known for his new solo project JJerome87, shares his insights on harnessing creative sparks, potential benefits of medications, and the concerning rise of far-right ideologies.
His morning routine includes …
His day begins with a visit to the restroom and some tap water, followed by breakfast and coffee. His little daughter usually wakes him up with cute, random requests like creating a pregnancy movie, as his partner is currently expecting.
His optimistic outlook …
He holds a positive outlook towards his growing daughter, cherishing her development, observing her kindness towards others, and appreciating her listening skills.
What fuels his anger …
He expresses deep frustration towards the far-right’s cruel, hypocritical and short-sighted rhetoric. He is particularly upset about their portrayal of asylum seekers and immigrants, a group he believes contributed immensely to the evolution and progress of the UK. He also humorously mentions his annoyance when his partner asks him to fetch small items from her bag.
If not a singer-songwriter, he would be …
If not for his music career, he would like to be someone who works with his hands, perhaps a master builder, carpenter, or a skilled craftsman, creating custom items for people in a shed at the back of his garden.
The habit that has served him best in life …
He finds the habit of documenting and archiving song ideas extremely beneficial. He believes in capturing creative sparks immediately to avoid losing potentially great song ideas.
The habit he successfully left behind …
He shares he used to be a thumb-sucker till the age of 13, but orthodontic intervention put a stop to that. He has also given up pasta and alcohol, proud of having not looked back since.
His sources of joy …
His joy lies in the simple pleasures like applying suntan lotion and enjoying the sun, making others laugh, especially his daughter, and watching her giggle uncontrollably.
How he copes when things get tough …
When things get tough, he turns to the world of movies. He finds cinema therapeutic and a great way to escape when he’s overwhelmed with work or responsibilities.
The book he recommends…
He recommends everyone to read ‘How I Live Now’ by Meg Rosof. The book, about a civil war within the UK and a nuclear detonation, provides a chilling read.
His changed perspective on life…
He admits to having altered his perspective on drugs. Once considering them scary and ruinous, he now believes in the potential benefits of certain drugs like cannabis, ketamine, and hallucinogenics as safe, controlled ways of coping with trauma.
What keeps him awake at night …
Ideas for songs often keep him awake at night. If he’s awake past 2 a.m., it’s usually because he’s contemplating song lyrics or the overall sonics of an album.
His prime motivation …
His main motivation lies in always striving to better his last musical release. His focus is consistently tilted towards creating new songs and albums.
Life lessons from his parents …
His parents taught him to chase his dreams. They motivated him to pursue his passion for music, despite bureaucratic hurdles, believing that he would eventually pay back his societal debts.
His theory …
He theorises that the unchecked power of future tech billionaires could potentially turn them into comic book-level supervillains, terrorising countries with their wealth, influence, and advanced technology.
Message to his younger self…
He wouldn’t want to disrupt his younger self with any advice, believing that we evolve and grow into different people over time.
JJerome87’s album ‘The Canyon’ is now available on Mushroom Music / Virgin Music Group. Visit jjerome87.com for his tour dates. Photography credit goes to Zachary Gray.
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