With her signature oversized glasses and a campy, eclectic approach to pop, Jessica Winter has a distinct style that is uniquely hers. However, she is also a musical magpie, drawing inspiration from an array of genres and blending them into her own twisted, engaging vision on her debut full-length album, ‘My First Album.’
Winter's path to this point hasn't been easy: she dealt with hip dysplasia throughout her childhood and the album took twice the time to produce than she initially intended. The outcome—a loose concept album about “‘somebody’ aspiring to be a star and seeking to fill a deep void within”—is certainly worth the wait, showcasing a theatrical mix of influences from Kylie to Korn. We spoke with Winter a week prior to the album's release, just after she moved back to her hometown.
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We first met at Brighten the Corners a couple of years back. What have you been doing since then?
Since two years ago? That was when I began working on the album. I originally planned to finish it in a year, but it ended up taking two. That's pretty typical for me: I create music spontaneously with no specific plan. I was just thinking about this yesterday—some people sit down in a room every day, trying to write songs, while I'm completely the opposite. An idea will strike me in the moment, and I’ll rush to the studio! So, over the past two years, I've been doing that, whether in Portsmouth, London, or Los Angeles.
You grew up on the south coast, right?
Yes, I grew up in Portsmouth and Hayling Island. Two small islands along the South Coast. But I came back last week, and it's such a different environment compared to London.
In what way?
I used to dislike it, which is why I left at a young age—I found it narrow-minded. After moving to London, where everyone from all over the world gathers, I've returned to Portsmouth, and it feels so much more cultured now. It’s much better than I remember. I think perhaps I’ve done some growing myself.
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What was the local music scene like while you were growing up?
I'm sure there were various music scenes, but I grew up in the local punk scene, which was fantastic. My uncle was in a punk band, so I'd attend his shows at twelve or thirteen. All the kids would come to watch, we were the next generation idolizing the performers. Eventually, we formed our own local bands.
How old were you when you first formed a band?
I was about 14. We called ourselves Rotten Luck. I loved that band so much—I would still be in it if I could!
You've been part of several bands in the past, and now you’re a solo artist. How do you reconcile the personal nature of this album with the collaborative aspect?
My music has always had a collaborative element. However, when it comes to my solo work, it’s definitely a very personal project. That’s how I’ve always written: it begins with the lyrics, and I can spend ages perfecting the sound. Perhaps that’s my perfectionist side, but what matters most to me is the message of the song. When I listen to music, I experience it differently—I don’t focus on what’s being said unless I’m feeling sad. I have a “Sad Nights” playlist on Spotify that I’m really into, centered on the lyrics.
Who’s on your sad nights playlist?
Oh my God. Leonard Cohen. Molly Drake. Daniel Johnston, of course. Eels. Lee Hazlewood makes an appearance too, along with Asha Puthli, Elliott Smith, and Paul McCartney. Lots of guys. This sounds bad… a bit sexist. Even Radiohead is in there.
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Speaking of what you’ve been listening to, which current artists excite you?
I really like Addison Rae—she’s great. I also enjoy RAYE. All of the Ra(y)es. I got to see RAYE perform at the Ivor Novellos, and I’ve never thought of someone as a “star” quite like that during a performance. I was just so moved while watching her.
That naturally leads us to discuss influences—your album has a very diverse sound. What influences did you draw from, and how did you achieve that blend of diversity and cohesion?
The song has to come first, before the sound. I titled the album ‘My First Album’ to remind myself that, despite having worked as an artist for years making music for others, this is genuinely my first album. Another reason for the title is that I reference the music that I experienced first as a child. Sometimes that was Korn or heavy metal, but also Kylie and the Scissor Sisters. Then there’s Britpop, the Libertines, and that indie era. When you initially hear this music, you don’t realize its impact—the nostalgia and memories it conj
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With her signature large glasses and a playful, varied approach to pop, Jessica Winter possesses a style that is uniquely hers. However, she is also a