by danielle holian
photo courtesy of jp saxe
Grammy award-nominated singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist JP Saxe has just released his debut album Dangerous Levels of Introspection today. He released his new single “Like That” ahead of the album release via Arista Records. People may recognize his voice from “If The World Was Ending” featuring Julia Michaels, which was produced by FINNEAS, becoming an impactful song during the global pandemic of COVID-19 that resulted in over one billion streams across platforms. Unclear Magazine caught up with the multi-talented musical genius to discuss his latest track, new album, and much more below.
For our readers, please tell us a bit about your background in music.
JP: “I am a Canadian jazz dork who moved to Los Angeles at 19. I was brainwashed by pop music and now make emotionally indulgent songs.”
Who or what are your musical influences?
JP: “Megan Rapinoe. I am always inspired by Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell.”
What inspired your lead single “Like That?”
JP: “Being surprised by the kind of love that can get to you in places that you used to be afraid to let it.”
What can we expect from your debut album Dangerous Levels of Introspection?
JP: “Relentless sincerity.”
And how was the songwriting process for this particular project?
JP: “I feel like I have been writing this project for my entire life. There is more of me in it than I’ve ever been able to get into any other piece of art that I've released.”
You previously worked with FINNEAS on “If The World Was Ending,” did you ever expect the impact this particular track would expose you to?
JP: “Julia [Michaels] and I wrote it the day we met. It was recorded by Benjamin Rice, and we sent a demo to Finneas. He was moved by the song, and sent us back his inspiration on production, and we fell in love with it.”
What do you want the listeners to take away from your music?
JP: “A bit more access to the parts of their emotional self that they don’t hang out with very often.”
How has the pandemic helped your creative juices?
JP: “Introspection in abundance — I am not sure the album would be titled the way it is if there hadn’t been a pandemic.”
What drives you forward as an artist?
JP: “Soul-crushing ambition.”
And finally, what’s one fun fact about yourself for our readers?
JP: “I will crush you with Bananagrams.”