Breedlove is proud to introduce Jesse Kramer as the March Featured Artist of 2019. Behind the grit, lyrics, and passion is a story that comes from a life in cars and bars. Jesse Kramer, originally from Indianapolis, IN, made his way to Nashville, TN at 19. Listeners have given him many of names such as “Old Soul” as his presence and sound appears to be beyond his years. Jesse takes influence from some of his heroes such as Chris Cornell, Prince, Joe Cocker, and many more. Jesse transcends all genres with his ability to bring a wide range of music lovers together. You cannot put a label on Jesse – he truly has his own sound. We had the chance to visit with Jesse for a second exclusive interview and chat about various aspects of life as a working musician – getting mentored by rock legends, the scoop on TV tallent shows, how to stay true as an artist and other insights from life on the road.
Breedlove: Jesse, thanks for chatting with us. We know you’re just getting back to Nashville, you were out West in New Mexico and performed with a few big names? Guns and Roses?
Kramer: Yes. I was able to play with Steven Adler, the drummer of Guns and Roses.
Breedlove: Tell us about the show. How did you connect with Steven Adler and the venue?
Kramer: It was out in Albuquerque New Mexico, at Sandia Casino. I’ve played there a couple of times and the promoter, Debbie, she's been wonderful, and we've always stayed in close contact.
The show was cool. The band I worked with learned all my material, and we went out there and killed it. It was a great show. It was definitely … a very humbling experience to be able to share the stage with some rock legends.
Breedlove: Did you get to hang with the guys a little bit before or after the show?
Kramer: I shared the same flight from Nashville with Mark Slaughter. I got to hang out with Dana Strum who works with Motley Crue. Randy Bose, Black Sabbath, and Ozzy Osborne … so I got to meet up with all these guys and hang out with them and kick back. It was a great experience.
Breedlove: Did the guys share stories from the road?
Kramer: They're getting older and they're looking at the young guys coming up and playing rock … I heard so many great road stories. The do's and the don'ts, tips from their experiences. All storytelling, but with a moral lesson and just trying to help me and trying to mentor me. Explaining how they've done it, and ways I can make it as I walk the same path.
Lots of great stories about the road. Big stages, cool people that they've met and hotels they've trashed … all the stuff you’d expect. Rock and roll stuff.
Breedlove: When it comes to mentoring you, giving you lessons or advice, any reoccurring themes?
Kramer: The reoccurring theme, especially when its musician talking to musician … is to be you and never stop the grind, never stop the hard work. It doesn't stop just because you get bigger gigs or larger stages. The work doesn't stop there. Never stop working hard.
And, remember who you are and to keep that in the forefront, whatever you're trying to strive for, always keep who you are at the forefront of your mind. That's what you need to survive in the music biz. This business is tough. Always keep up the grind, always keep up the hard work, and never stop being true to yourself.
Breedlove: On the topic of playing live and performances – when you're creating a setlist for a performance, what’s your process?
Kramer: Honestly, I've never used a set list. I don't believe in setlists unless it's with a band I haven't played with before or a situation like that … I've never used a set list. I expect my band, or people playing music with me, to know what the songs are if I start going to the eighth note. They need to know that.
I go off the vibe in the venue. What the air tells me from the crowd. I always go based on that and what I'm feeling. It's a cool thing because me and the crowd are building a relationship during a show. It’s like an unspoken conversation.
Sometimes the crowd tells me how the show's going to go, and I need to be open to receive that or take them in a different direction … I'm able to become a conductor of a room, and it is my job to take charge of the room. You're not just taking charge of the microphone, the band … you're trying to take charge of the whole venues energy and the emotion of the crowd.
I've never used a set list. I strictly go off of the vibe of the crowd and my gut feeling. You have to feel it in your soul.
Breedlove: When you are performing now – what’s the mix between playing your own songs and covers?
Kramer: I'm done with the bar scene – which is mostly playing covers. I'm done playing the four-hour gigs for drunk folks … doing cover band stuff. I believe I'm established to where I've made a name. I'm an artist. I write my own songs. Of course, it's always cool to throw a song in there that everybody knows and loves, that's been around for a while.
What's interesting for me as an artist is when I'm able to take a cover and put my own twist on it. Sing it in my voice. Playing a cover doesn’t necessarily mean doing the song exactly the way it was originally recorded. If I do a cover, I always want to make it my own somehow.
Breedlove: You have a new single coming out. I know you've been working hard on this track. Tell us about it.
Kramer: The single is called Breakthrough. I’m creating it all out of pocket, and I make music for a living – I'm putting everything I have into this single. I'm finishing up the recording of the guitar parts this week. The next is ear candy and getting it mixed and mastered.
This song is going to be a statement. This is a rock and roll song, and this is going to be a breakthrough song for me. I’m really excited about it. I'm shooting for a spring release.
Breedlove: Let's talk about your song By Design. When did you write this song?
Kramer: By Design. Honestly, I had a couple of drinks and smoked a funny cigarette and got inspired to write something based on a movie fantasy in my head –it’s about Love. The song just came to me. I didn’t have lyrics or guitar parts first. It just came to me all at once. I just picked up a guitar and it was like my fingers automatically knew what to play, and I knew what to sing. By Design is one of my favorite songs.
Breedlove: What Makes A Man. Did you write this for someone?
Kramer: Most songs come from things that have happened, experience from everyday life – but sometimes it's just fantasy or something I’ve made up. As if I see a movie playing in my head.
Breedlove: I want to ask you about your Breedlove guitars. You have a Pursuit, myrtlewood and you have an Oregon Series, which is all myrtlewood. They're both constructed with myrtlewood, but they're very different animals? How do you look at the two instruments in terms of their different personalities and what they are?
Kramer: I would say the Pursuit model is the workhorse. That is the one that you can take out no matter what gig. It's reliable and sturdy, and it's really well built. The Oregon myrtlewood is a piece of artwork. That's one of those guitars I only take out if I have a nice show or I’m recording.
When I wake up in the morning, it's my songwriting guitar. And, that guitar specifically is used for recording because it sounds to balanced and I've had so many compliments about how well it records in the studio.
The Pursuit model is the road warrior, and I use it when I’m working, especially the road and traveling.
Breedlove: You were a contestant on the show The Four. How did you make it through the selection process and what was the experience like
Kramer: Man … I don't watch talent shows. I don't even have a TV! It was an interesting situation. I was on Instagram one time and received a random message from a producer in LA. It was someone from the FOX network. They invited me out.
My audition was very different than most peoples. They put me in a small room with about twenty people. Usually, you get anywhere between 2 to 5 minutes to do your deal and get out. I put on a whole show for 20 minutes, and they just kept requesting songs.
I just went in there, and I did my thing. I ended up staying there for way longer than anyone else. I knew from then I was in.
It was a lot of waiting around and shooting a lot of B roll. A lot of pictures in the studio … a lot of stress, if your songs going to clear or not. If they're going to pick a song that you're going to like or if they're going to choose a song for you and tell you what key you're going to sing it in. You are always wondering if the house band will be able to perform it or not. What to wear, how to play each song … quite a bit of stress.
You have to go through the motions of it being a TV show, but it was still cool. I got to meet great singers and artists. I was able to look at the cameras and tell them that rock and roll is not dead. That was important for me.
Since the show, I haven't changed. I'm still doing my thing. I'm just trying to get out there with rock and roll and make a living at it and work hard.
Breedlove: As an independent artist, do you recommend other artists try and get on these TV shows? Does it help?
Kramer: I'll be honest with you, as an independent artist … the devil is everywhere with contracts and pieces of paper and pens for you to sign with don’t know if a TV show is right for everyone.
Most real people don't care that you were on a TV show. Street cred and getting out there and playing is what matters.
Breedlove: I think a lot of people might look at a TV show and think, “Hey all I have to do is make it to TV, get in front of people, and my road is paved to success from there.”
Breedlove: We’ve talked about the challenges of being an independent artist and the hustle. What are the most significant rewards and what are the most meaningful things for you as an independent artist?
Kramer: As Johnny Cash said, “I find fewer limitations when I do things my way.” Being indy is not necessarily a choice right now as I just have not found the right situation for me yet. It’s part of the process as a musician.
Breedlove: Last question. It’s five years from now. What are you doing in your ultimate future if you could create it?
Kramer: It’s simple. Music would still be my living, and I’d just be comfortable. Nothing crazy. I don't want to have to worry about where the next meal's coming from or if my light bill is going to get paid. Some people want to be rock stars for the big houses, the money, the success. I believe in and love playing music. I love playing it, and I love performing it.
All I want is a custom Breedlove guitar and a great stage where I'm able to sing all night to a great crowd that wants to see a great show. That’s what I live for.
(Video Credtis: Written and performed by Jesse Kramer Recorded and Filmed in Nashville by Mike Luckett | LR Baggs | Recorded and Mixed by David Brubaker | DP Dave Johnson | Edited by RA Beattie | Off the Grid Studios | Special thanks to LR Baggs)
