Jesse Kinch

WRITTEN BY ELLA AUDREY RAE PHOTOGRAPHY BY SETH KRUPERSMITH

Jesse Kinch is a 24-year-old, classic-rock musician whose music style is heavily influenced by rock legends of the 60?s and 70?s. His uniqueness and unapologetic approach to his music, makes him unlike any other artist his age! He won ABC's Rising Star and released his debut album 'I'm Not Like Everybody Else'. Recently he performed at Rhythms Live Music Hall in NC and rocked the house. The media compares his talents to the DOOR?S Jim Morrison and the ROLLING STONES,Mick Jagger, a new generation of fans across America have been embracing Jesse as their own. Read his interview below and see why he?s your next favorite rocker.

EA: How did you get into music.? JK: I got into music around age 6 when I found an old acoustic guitar hidden away in my basement or did it find me? I was very inquisitive about it and began questioning my father about it. He taught me my first 10 or so chords which actually came very easy and natural to me. My father was startled by this and even more so that at this age I could tune the guitar by ear.

I embraced classic rock, R&B, and classical crossover. At age 11, I found my voice and began to sing. At that young age, I was fronting my own band and performing on the New York City, Long Island club circuit. Throughout my teens,

I continued to perform and master my craft, fronting a band with seasoned players. Two of my bandmates had already toured the world. All the music I absorbed and the experience gained from performing live so early on, really shaped the artist I am today.

EA: What was your experience on Rising Star like? JK:It was a great experience and I was supercharged and ready for it. The show was almost a perfect fit for me. Almost all of my song choices were accepted and the musical director of the show Ray Chew and I quickly developed a friendship and great respect for each other. Ray realized I knew exactly what I was doing and fully trusted my musicianship and song arrangement ideas. With his great band behind me and our mutual trust and respect for each other, I was able to be fully ME on the show. I formed many friendships with other contestants on the show and also with host Josh Groban, judges Brad Paisley, Kesha, and Ludacris. Playing live all summer to 5 million people wasn?t bad either. Big smile!

EA: What did you learn from it? JK:I learned the business, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Enough said!

EA: When you won how did you feel and celebrate? JK: I felt like I accomplished what I came there to do. I reinvigorated my original fan base and enlightened a very young audience and a cross-generational audience that there is REAL-music out there, and that there are REAL artists out there that can play an instrument, sing without auto tune , write a song without 5 co writers and perform without a circus of dancers around them spinning on the floor and jumping from the ceilings. My win on the show was my celebration. EA: What is your advice to others who are going on singing competition shows? JK: Be prepared, swallow your egos, and learn your craft.

EA: How was the process of writing I?m Not Like Everybody Else? JK: The blueprint for the album was agreed to by myself and my label to have 8 original songs and 5 covers. Why so many covers? The label asked me to record a couple of songs from my performances on Rising Star and also a few covers that they loved of mine added to my original material. It was a great mix of songs and dynamic that flowed quite naturally. EA: What song is your favorite? JK:Honestly, I love every one of the songs on the album from my originals to the covers requested by my label. I don't believe in doing ?filler? songs. To me, every song is meaningful and counts. I love my two original ballads ?How Do I Reach You (The Last Veil)? and ?After All These Lovers.? ?Masami (The Elegant Beauty)? could be my favorite and there is talk of going to Japan to do a video shoot of it there. ?Rain On The Dog? is just way cool! I'm very proud of it and the lyrical content.

EA: What song was the hardest to create? JK: would say How Do I Reach You (The Last Veil) because there were different sections to the song that had to blend together musically, vocally and emotionally. I love the song so much. EA: What artists and or songs influenced your musical style the most and why? JK: I have been greatly influenced by so many from the British Invasion of the 60s, some Motown, for sure the Seattle scene of the 90?s and even classical crossover. These influences ooze from my original music. I have such great respect and admiration for the greats who came before me and paved the way, and in many cases with great sacrifice and little reward.

EA: What makes you different from other classic rock artists? JK: Let's be clear here, I am not a classic rock artist. My influences are many and cross-generational. I follow my inner callings, not trends. EA: How did it feel performing in front of so many fans in North Carolina and why Durham? JK: I was told by a fan about a new venue opening in Durham, North Carolina. I knew from past comments on social media that I had many fans requesting me to please try and come to their state. The stars were aligned and everything fell into place. I loved performing in Durham and the audience made it a very special night. So many very nice people in North Carolina.

EA: What is your advice to upcoming artists? JK: Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster. Don't expect anything, earn it! Remember the music industry is big business, learn and understand this.