Those brought up working class will forever have a mutual inheritance: an ingrained work ethic, a physical contribution to the growth of society, the We interviewed Jesse Ahern about his new album 'Roots Rock Rebel,' releasing on September 15.
, Jesse creates a meaningful call to action in the tradition of great rambling American buskers. The album’s powerful opener, “Pray,” is a foot-stomping, modern-gospel anthem. In its second, “Daughter And Son,” Jesse offers a melodic apology to women on behalf of society – “To the daughters of the world, we’re failing you once again” – promising he’ll “fight…’til the end” and asking the sons “to be better men.
“’Oh, man, it’s pretty great that you’re just popping up,’” Jesse laughs, of people just now starting to take notice. “They forget about the 20 years of trudging along that you do before something like that happens, right? Heading out on the road for four months to support the album, he’s keeping his expectations in check, his hopes reflective of his deep family ties. “I’ve already surpassed any expectations I’ve had in life with playing music,” he says.
Initially, when approached to sign with Dummy Luck Music, Jesse recalls feeling felt pretty overwhelmed. “Last spring I was on the road with them. I had a conversation with Kenny and Jeff, and we talked about maybe just pushing it to the next level,” he recalls. “It’s mind-blowing really…Ken Casey was, as Jesse puts it, “instrumental” in the album’s ultimate sound, encouraging Jesse to hire a producer to make an album that embodies the magic he brings to his live performances.
While on tour with DKM and Rancid, Jesse and Rancid’s Tim Armstrong were talking after the show. “He caught my set and I was pretty star struck,” Jesse says. “He was the one that gave me the idea [of] just doing an album by myself. Not using a band, not filling it up with musicians. Just saying, ‘Hey, this is me, this’s my guitar. Here’s a harmonica. Here we go,’” he laughs. “He told me to stay in my lane.
He credits all the Dropkick guys for their support, and for brutal honesty when he needs it. “I’m friends with all the guys in the band and they’ve all been there along the whole journey with me. It’s nice. It feels nice. You get guys that have been in the business for 25-plus years and you get off stage and there’s a [few] hanging out… they’re checking on your set and come back. You get really close to people, they’re honest with you.
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