INTERVIEW: Young Jimmy discuss his origins and influences alongside new single ‘Heavy’

After the rapturous response to his highly-praised debut album ‘Rockett 88’ last year, New York-based artist Young Jimmy is back to his best once again to deliver his immersive new single ‘Heavy’.

Adopting a harder and grittier aesthetic for his newest outing, ‘Heavy’ sees him return to the fold with one of his most impactful efforts yet. So we caught up with him to discuss his origins and influences over the years.

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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?

 I would say “Scar Tissue” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, ‘Californiacation’ was the 1st cd I purchased with my own money as a kid in the 90s..

Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre? 

I would say RHCP, Stone Temple Pilots, Ever Clear, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Rush, Funkadelic, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Ike and Tina Turner, Thin Lizzy, The Police, Bad Brains, Gun and Roses, The Beatles, Radio Head, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?

 Yes, Hip Hop, Funk and Bossa Nova. 2pac, Melle Mel, Nara Leao, OutKast and Earth Wind and Fire.

What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?

Ideas either come to me sometimes in my sleep. Life experiences, heart breaks or I’m inspired by another artist music.

What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share? 

Playing guitar loud in front of a connected audience, there’s nothing like it also crowd reaction. To date my most Memorable performances would be opening for Kendrick Lamar at South Paw in Brooklyn years ago as a back up guitarist. There was all this talk about Dr. Dre co signing him, if I knew he was gonna be that big I would of introduced myself when I ran into him back stage at South Paw but now that I think back on it his big black bouncer intimidated me.

Aside from that performing with Mele Mel at a Halloween warehouse party in Bushwick was memorable. The space was huge there was a few thousand people there we performed a few songs with my singers waiting for Mel to show up, the crowd was getting impatient at one point a drunk woman in the front row threw up on one of my singers foot. Soon after that Melle Mel showed up and rocked the house we performed rock versions of his hits. After the show I met up with the promoter in a back room he’s surrounded by beautiful women money and coke. He gave me my money and I paid Melle Mel.

What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?

The Music honestly, and meeting people who get you, making a living making music is rewarding if I can just do that I’ll be happy.

 How would you define success as a musician?

 Doing music full time and making a good living with respect from your peers.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?

 Invest in yourself Believe in yourself and Trademark your band name.

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Listen to Young Jimmy’s new single ‘Heavy’ below.