*All photos courtesy of Pablo Gonzalez //* *@pablogonzez*

If you haven’t heard of Jesse Jo Stark, where the hell have you been? Maybe you’ll recognize Chrome Hearts, her family’s luxury fashion brand with a cult following. Or, perhaps you’ve come across her own clothing line Deadly Doll, with designs worn by every cool girl you can think of. The multi-talented singer-songwriter has finally released her debut album, DOOMED, on September 21, a collection of songs that shows Stark at her best. Her music sounds straight out of a campy horror film: equal parts morbid and romantic. As she grapples with love, heartbreak, and rage, we’re immersed in her gothic fantasy world and taken on a twisted trip into the unknown—the best kind.

Note: This interview was conducted over email and has been lightly edited for conciseness and clarity. Stark’s diction is all intentional.

You’ve just done a number of shows in promotion of DOOMED. How does it feel to perform these songs live for the first time? What does performing live mean for you, as an artist?

it’s different every time. n every time we get off stage i want to do it again. these songs change as the nights do. different faces n places. it’s such a treat. it’s meant everything to me. i don’t believe anyone's even there til i walk on stage. and then i just hope that i can take everyone somewhere in that short amount of time. the rest of the world doesn’t exist. n we can just go through the moods together.

You’ve been releasing music since 2017, when you debuted with the Driftwood EP. How has your process changed over the last five years or so? Do you find yourself getting into a certain headspace when writing and/or recording?

i’ve actually been releasing music since i was 18. there’s no one way i write [...] every time. i think the thing that’s changed the most is my ability to embrace fear a bit more [and] lean into it. my dad always says i’m better pissed off. so, i guess that’s the headspace. pissed off or in a puddle of tears. hehe

You took a unique path in only releasing singles and EPs for a while– was this intentional? How did it influence your character-building leading up to DOOMED?

i just wasn’t ready to commit to an album. it felt so fatal. i wanted to experiment with different “genres” but [now] that this is out it’s less scary. i’m already ready for the next.

Do you have any songwriting inspirations?

old films, dreams, comics, kids' books, love.

The cover art is stunning– where and when did the “heaven vs. hell” concept spark?

i feel pulled in different directions. and i’ve always felt like people try ‘n pin me to one feeling. i’m not into that. i’m many things. i wanted to embrace light ‘n dark, heaven ‘n hell, angel demon [...] and i’m fascinated with italian illustrations. this artwork took doomed to an entire different realm. i’m obsessed

You got Lucas David to do the artwork for your tour announcement (I’ve admittedly been obsessed with his work since middle school!). How does visual art play a factor in your work?

lucas david is a visionary

he can see something beautiful and twist it

he represents [not only] beauty but the darkness that hides behind it

i needed him to be involved in this chapter

along with [Sveta] who i work with all the time on deadly doll things n single artwork before this album

i’m visual as hell

i’ve never been great with words

I see a world inside of a fuckin’ ant

From the first song, “666 in the suburbs,” it’s giving The Cramps-rockabilly vibes. Did any subgenres/subcultures influence you when it came to sound?

the cramps are my favorite band. their tone ‘n aesthetic, to me, is as good as it gets, so i wouldn’t be surprised if it trickled into my music accidentally. i’ve always loved rockabilly punk country. i call my “genre” horrific hillbilly

just to confused everyone

i try not to listen to too much music when i make my own

“so bad” is just such a banger—I remember texting my friends the day the video dropped telling them that they had to watch it! It seems like the song, as well as others on the album, wrestle with the duality of knowing that something/someone is toxic, but going back to it anyways. Could you talk more about how this manifests for you?

hell yeah, i love that! thank you x

we love the bad stuff don’t we.

it’s pretty simple

i have to figure it out for myself

‘n just cuz the big red button says don’t push

i mean,

who doesn’t wanna push that?

Other songs like “sugar high” are so hauntingly beautiful. How do you approach finding a balance between light and dark in your songs?

i don’t

At the same time, there’s also this feeling of reclaiming your power and knowing your worth (like “pussycat,” a song for the baddies!). Does this resonate with you and your lyrics?

ugh i love that you said that.

this entire record was me coming into my true woman form: even if that means feeling masculine some days. whatever that means. i believe it took me a while to be comfortable in my body. in my thoughts. i still work on that. but pussycat is about [...] stepping into my power as a woman, calling the other person out on the part they’ve played in what’s unfolding.

I love asking artists about their aesthetics, and you seem to have such a sharp eye when it comes to the visuals for both your music and personal style. Can you tell me more about what inspired you aesthetically, with the album and even with live shows and your fashion?

i feel like it’s been pretty simple

i’m always looking for someone to maybe lend some new exciting opinion. but honestly, i settled back into my skin for doomed

rhinestone studded cuffs that i’ve had since i was little

latex. leather. my second skin sugar jones boots

angels, demons

half naked

honestly all of my collaborators were very supportive of me as well: they reminded me that i’ve always kinda been best at being myself

Last– what do you hope people take away from the album after listening?

i hope they lean into their fears n desires

wear all the heads they have

love with their heart

n i hope [they’re] loud

really really loud

x

Forever Doomed With Jesse Jo Stark