What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.
Jeremy Discenza is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in upstate New York. He is the mastermind behind shoegaze/rock project Jay See Jenny, as well as indie rock outfit Hearts as Vessels.
Growing up on post punk and moody guitar music, Discenza cites post-punk groups The Smiths and The Cure as key influences in his development as a musician, as well as heavier alt styles such as Deftones. After spending many years playing guitar and singing in a number of different bands, he turned his focus to solo projects in 2018. Recording all his music in a home studio, he found the freedom to fully explore his muses, resulting in the creation of his two main projects.
Discenza released his first full length album ‘Anthology’ as Hearts and Vessels in early 2019. Anthology weaves lush melodies, cascades of guitar lines, and soaring vocals into songs under the umbrella of rock with a kiss of 80’s inspiration. Following this release, he turned his attention to his more lo-fi project Jay See Jenny.
Jay See Jenny’s new single ‘Sway’ to be release on April 1st 2019 is an emotional ode to lost love, built around Discenza’s evocative vocals and held together by lush walls of guitar fuzz. Equal parts melancholy and hopeful, it is the perfect introduction to Jay See Jenny. The full ‘Jay See Jenny’ EP will be released in Spring 2019. Hearts As Vessels ‘Anthology’ is now available on all digital outlets and streaming services.
Provide us with some info about your latest release…
I think the above bio speaks to this. Jay See Jenny, as with the Hearts As Vessels project, is written and recording by myself, with a little more focus on shoegaze elements but still with my signature sound.
Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?
Main guitarist influences are Jay Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Johnny Marr (The Smiths), and Robert Smith (The Cure). Non-music wise I’m a self-proclaimed nerd, a professional scientist with a Master’s degree, so I’m inspired by genuine curiosity about the world around us. If I’m not writing tunes, I’m reading all things science, watching classic Star Trek, or throwing a mean combo of yo-yo tricks.
In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?
I think the sounds are familiar but also unique in some keys ways. First, it’s guitar driven but I intentionally impose some constraints around what I play. No solos, I’m not a guitar hero. What I love to do a layer complementary picked guitar lines together to form a complex wall of sound. I thinks this sets me apart from other guitar rock. Second, every song I write seeks to evoke an emotional response and resonate with the listener. I like to take people of a bit of an emotional journey while getting to the point within 30 seconds, and keeping things mid-tempo. Lastly, no happy songs. Maybe hopeful but every song should hurt, melancholy abounds – otherwise I’m annoyed.
Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…
Albums – The Cure Disintegration; The Smiths Strange Ways Here We Come; Dinosaur Jr. Whatever’s Cool With Me.
Movies – Star Trek II Wrath of Khan; Time Bandits; Step Brothers
Books – Pass, I’ll wait for the movie. Instead maybe I’ll bring some dry matches and some drinking water.
Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?
I love performing live but this is the down fall of being a solo artist doing everything myself. I’d love to connect with like-minded folks in the future to bring this songs to the stage. I’ve been recording for a year my home studio and have learned a lot. I love trying to make each song better than the previous one. It drives me to increase my knowledge and be more effective over time.
Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?
I started playing when I was 13 years old (being hooked on MTV, before there’s was reality shows) with my best friend on bass, and a singer and drummer who were 15 years older than we were. We were called Greene Terror (after the fish) and played a combo of hair metal and punk which typically don’t go together. One thing I can say is we were LOUD. One time we played at an America Legion, which was so out of place. After 2 songs, they kicked us out for played ridiculously loud, the old folks were so shook. As we left someone yelled ‘Play some Fine Young Cannibals why don’t ya!’ I’d say that was the peak of my music career.
Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?
I really like the new track Sway by Jay See Jenny. I’m singing lower than I usually do and burying it in the mix in true shoegaze style. It’s kinda ‘whatever, I don’t care’ delivery but actually works on that level.
I have a soft spot for the Heart As Vessels songs. ‘Desert Island Girlfriend’ by Hearts As Vessels really speaks to the Marr style guitar work I love while Ghostwriter is a mix of Cureish melodies with a big, soaring heavy chorus; a great example of the two sides of the coin you’ll hear in musical my style.
Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?
I’m currently working on a Jay See Jenny tunes this spring. I’ll release 2 tracks on April 1st. I’m pressing forward this year with further songwriting and recording endeavors as well and trying to get the music out there. The landscape is just saturated with music now. Some really excellent stuff but it’s very tough to get the songs heard, especially guitar driven music in light of a rap, EMD, and happy indie dominated world. However, there’s nothing more ‘indie’ than ‘independent’ of listeners, so I’m right where I need to be.
Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity.
What guitars do you play/prefer?
I have a few but I have been leaning lately on a custom G&L Fallout that I really love. Hummy in the bridge and a P90 in the neck gives it such a unique sound in the middle position. I have medium frets on it as I like to feel the fretboard.
Curated by: Christos Doukakis
Recommended listening:
***’Sway’ exclusive premiere on LDD soon! Stay tuned!
Connect with Jay See Jenny:
https://soundcloud.com/jeremy-discenza
Twitter: https://twitter.com/darmok?s=03
Bandcamp: https://jayseejenny.bandcamp.com/