As a band, Chief Cleopatra, certainly seems to have the verve, faith, and artful vocals to perform the groups’ soulful and enigmatic music. The band has performed at South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. And recently the group performed in August at the iconic Antone’s Nightclub. Yet this band currently does not have a record label to record new music or a booking agent. Recently, Jupiter Index caught up with their lead singer Jalesa Jessie.

Jupiter Index: What was it that music gave you and drew you to it as an artist?
Jalesa Jessie: Music gave me the freedom to express myself in whatever way I saw fit. I was in control of the melody and it made me truly blissful to create melodies. I love textures and tones. I think what drew me to it as an artist was production and the storytelling. I wanted to be a great storyteller through music.

JI: You have a warm tone when you sing and play music, but were there other artists that you admired for their lyrics and rhythms?
JJ: There are for sure some artists I admire for their lyrics and rhythms…I like My Morning Jacket, James Brown, Lana Del Rey, Radiohead, Brand New, OutKast, Frank Ocean…the list definitely goes on and on.

JI: What is your song writing process like and do you plan to release a new record in the near future?
JJ: My song writing process is all over the place. Some days I might just come up with lyrics and then the next it might be a melody first then lyrics. Other times I’m influenced by a song or a sound. One of favorite things to do is hop on my bass guitar and write a song.

JI: If you were alone on a desert island which five CDs would you need to have with you and why those LPs/CDs?
JJ: Tough one.
My first would be The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Classic album from start to finish, could listen to it at any time.

2nd album would be Diamond Life by Sade. Again, another banger album from start to finish. They just have their own unique style and they’re one of the best bands ever.

3rd Album would be Led Zeppelin III. Zeppelin is one of my favorite bands, hands down. Although two of my favorite songs are both of different albums (Down by the Seaside/Physical Graffiti and Rain song/ Houses of the Holy) I feel that Led Zeppelin III is a banger all the way through. That album is a big part of who I am.

4th album would be Blood Sugar Sex Magic by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I’m a 90’s kid so of course this album tugs on my heartstrings instantly. I LOVED everything about this album. Their chemistry, Rick Rubin producing it, the story behind the studio recordings… They recorded at Al Capone’s mansion in Los Angeles, I really could go on & on but yes that album would have to be on an island with me.

5th album is super hard but I would go with Private Dancer by Tina Turner. She’s the Queen, if it wasn’t for her, I couldn’t be me. Those songs are so good and it represents a time in her life where she became her own artist. She was free and liberated. That album means everything so it’s only fair that I have it in my top 5.

JI: Which five concerts/performances have you attended in the past that moved you for the musical ability and skill of the artist/ band? What was it about the show that still stays with you?
JJ: First artist I would say would be Lauryn Hill, I saw her at Austin City Limits Live and it was such a treat. I think what moved me was the fact that she didn’t have her original compositions with the lyrics but it mattered because the musicality was just spot on. The harmonies, the band, background singers were all in sync. Lauryn was literally a conductor on stage and that was epic to see too.

My 2nd choice is Khruangbin, they are a party to see live. I’ve seen them 6 times and I’ve never been disappointed. So proud to say I played a festival lineup with them! I plan to see them again when they come back to Austin. Who knows maybe I can open for them…bucket list dreams.

3rd band is incubus. My goodness they so incredible live. I’m still blown away by them just thinking about it. Definitely one of favorite shows I’ve ever been to. They are true musicians who know how to jam and also Brandon Boyd is amazing.

4th artist would be Kendrick Lamar. I got to see him on a random Friday night. Somehow, I ended up having a free ticket to go see him and I remember I had work the next morning at 6 a.m. so I was like screw it, I can’t miss this.
He was phenomenal and the crowd was feeding off his energy. I enjoyed every minute of seeing him and I loved that he had a real live band to play all the songs. He he’s a true entertainer indeed.
My 5th artist would be Santigold, I lived here in Austin and drove to Dallas to see her at the House of Blues. Was definitely worth the trip. I loved her energy, her dancers slash background singers, the props, it was all just a vibe.
She let the crowd get on the stage when she performed her song “Creator” which was nuts. I was too shy to get up there but I was definitely in the moment, singing word for word. She’s definitely a one-of-a-kind act to see live. I missed her the last time she came to Austin but I hope I get to see her again soon.

JI: What are your hopes for the rest of the year with the band Chief Cleopatra?
JJ: My hopes for the year would be getting back on a record label, recording and releasing new music, finding a booking agent and to collaborate with other Austin musicians on various music projects.
 
by G.M. Burns