An Interview with JBM, Key Initials for Ambient Folk Fans

As we reported on Friday, JBM played the Tractor with AA Bondy and Joseph Giant. As predicted, Jesse B. Marchant, who goes by his initials on stage, won over the crowd with his signature ambient folk-tinged tunes. While in town, Marchant was kind enough to answer some questions about his life as a songwriter and touring musician.

While he doesn't yet have another Seattle date confirmed at this point, we'll be sure to let you know when he'll be back in town. In the meantime, read our interview below, listen to his songs available online, and take this time to become familiar with his beautifully crafted album, Not Even in July.

For those not yet familiar with your work, what key elements might help them identify what they’re hearing as JBM?

Boy, I don't know, that's a weird one to answer personally. I guess the most prominent sounds on this record are a full sounding, dry acoustic guitar and a loud, reverbed out vocal.

What artists would you cite as some of the most prominent in your development as a musician?

Hard to say, I've gone through so many phases of listening to different styles of music. When I was younger I was into hip-hop. I liked Tupac a lot and then later I came listen to music that is more similar to the stuff that I now write. I also went through a big phase of listening to Nirvana in my teens. Other prominent artists that I've cited before include Radiohead and Nick Drake.

How do you feel your classical training as a guitarist affects how you approach songwriting?

I think that it mostly affects the way that I play the guitar. I finger pick both the electric and the acoustic, and I don't usually use a pick. It might also affect the song structures, in the sense that I like music with a lot of dynamics.

When did you first start writing lyrics to accompany your songs?

Not too long ago. About four years ago or so.

What's the process that an idea goes through to become a source of lyrical inspiration?

The ideas for lyrics aren't typically something that I decide on consciously and then begin to write about. It's more of a subconscious thing where I begin to freestyle to a melody until words or sentences come to mind which will then define the meaning or story of the song. I can't really describe the process in any other way than that.

What does a typical day on tour look like?

Wake up, sometimes exercise (sometimes), coffee, drive to the next town. I try to arrive in the next town early so that I can take a walk around and explore it a little. I find it depressing to miss out on that opportunity by going directly from club to hotel to club. On days off, I like to try and connect with friends that live in the town I'm in or to hang out with the band that I'm touring with.