There’s no artist as versatile as JMSN. A true chameleon, he has never closely mirrored any prior version of himself, nor does he desire to. The artist from Michigan is fully committed to reinventing himself from the ground up, and fortunately for him, his fans embrace his inventive spirit and follow him wherever he goes.
CLASH had the opportunity to sit down with JMSN ahead of the release of his latest album, ‘…it’s only about u if you think it is’, which explores his innermost depths. It is a mix of angst and intensity, effectively capturing the growing frustration of simply being alive. This conversation occurs exactly two years after CLASH last spoke with JMSN during the release of ‘Soft Spot’, highlighting a notable shift in tone. It’s evident that JMSN has a different message to convey this time, one he is unafraid to express.
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We talked two years ago today, in October 2023, about ‘Soft Spot’. How has your life changed since then?
It’s all a blur. I’ve been preparing new material, which has been a lot. Each time I begin a new album, I’m usually in the thick of promoting another one. Right now, I’m starting to write new songs, but that’s typically how it goes. You dedicate so much time to completing an album that by the time it’s finished, you wonder, ‘Can I work on something fresh? Wow.’ I was already working on this album before ‘Soft Spot’ was released. Fast forward two years, and we’re getting ready to release this.
You don’t just release albums; you intentionally curate an immersive experience. This particular era feels very tangible. While preparing visuals and gearing up for a tour, do you find it difficult to stay connected?
I’m not disconnected from it in that sense. I’m just musically checked out. I’ve played these songs countless times. The excitement comes from performing these songs in a live context, you know? So, I’m definitely not ready to move on. I love this album and can’t wait for it to be out. I truly believe it’s the best one I’ve made. I aimed to create a record that makes people forget my earlier work because they’ll think, ‘This is who JMSN is. He’s found himself.’ There are collaborative albums that have done that for me, and I want listeners to feel that this is the real me. I genuinely feel I’ve achieved that with this record, and I’m thrilled for its release.
You’ve certainly succeeded; this project is undeniably your own. Engaging with this record is cathartic; it resonates on a deep level. It leans into grunge and carries a heavy weight. Is this a reflection of your internal feelings? When I’m feeling drained by life, I find that heavier music resonates best. Did you experience similar sentiments?
Absolutely. I felt a lot of angst about the state of everything. There was a sense of stagnation, which is why I titled the first song ‘Blow The Spot Up’. I needed to blow everything up for a fresh start. We need change, and that begins with me. I wanted to create what I’d want to hear, channeling my frustrations about the music scene and just existing as a human. There’s a lot of angst I wanted to express, which is why the album features heavier moments. It’s something we all feel right now—the necessity for change.
It’s interesting because you mentioned working on this album for so long, yet it feels like it has arrived at the perfect time. There’s a shared tension we’re all experiencing.
Yeah, it feels perfectly timed.
You’ve performed the full album live before its release. One of the wonderful things about your fanbase is their willingness to come along on your journey, even when it diverges from past projects. How has the feedback been so far?
It’s been absolutely amazing. I’ve never played all new songs in front of an audience before they were released. The response was incredible and provided us with valuable insights. It’s interesting to see what resonates with them. I have my favorite tracks, and I’ll always have my preferences. But gaining perspective from the audience is helpful. I plan to make music videos for all the songs, and while I’m a bit scattered with ideas, having a prioritized list helps me stay focused.
Speaking of visuals, knowing that every detail of your work is intentional, I’m curious about your choice to use ants.
Ants are one of the few insects that create trails, which was important to me. They tend to follow a leader to food or sugar. That song discusses our current landscape and how everyone follows others while attempting to stand out by doing the same things. The ants symbolize that.
What was your state of mind when you were submerged in them?
When action is required, I can shift into that mode easily. However, being covered
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No artist is quite as versatile as JMSN. Like a chameleon, he has never closely reflected any previous version of himself, nor does he ever wish to.