After the rousing response to his much-loved EP 'The End Of The Highway' in 2022, fast-rising artist Jeremy Rice is now back for the new year with his swaggering new single 'World War Three'.
Adopting a fun and lively 50s-inspired aesthetic for his newest outing, 'World War Three' makes for a wonderfully bright and enjoyable listen. With his comic approach to lyricism layered across a groove-filled production from start to finish, he is returning to the fold with one of his most energetic offerings yet.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Before I was old enough to go to school, there was a lovely lady named Dora who took care of my sister and me while my parents were at work. She had a piano in her basement and I remember spending countless hours in front of it, playing with notes, finding out which ones worked together, which ones didn’t, and making my own little primitive jingles.
That was my first real instrumental experience. I’m not sure I would call it love, but more of an intense fascination.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved it all. I grew up in a very musical home. There was always something playing in the house when I was a kid. Lots of classical music and bands of an era just before my own: Supertamp, ELO, Moody Blues. That left its mark for sure. As I grew older, I listened to a lot of the popular alternative acts at the time like Nirvana, Beck, Chili Peppers, but I always hung closely to the music of my early years. I still do.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Thriller. I was about 5 or 6 when my parents bought me the cassette. My father lent me his Walkman so I could listen to it (and possibly so he didn’t have to). I was so excited I couldn’t keep still. I spent that evening pacing around the dining room table listening to Beat It over and over again. I’m sure I left a groove in the linoleum. How’s that for an eighties reference?
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I answered mockingly to this very question in a recent interview. I was clearly being evasive, but I’ve grown since last Tuesday. There are many songs I love, but I can’t say that I wish I had written any of them. What I can say is that there are some songs that inspired me to become a better songwriter. One of the first in that list is “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” by the Crash Test Dummies. That’s a great song.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I’m not nearly organized to have a writing ritual. It’s a circus in my mind 24/7, which has proven to be a challenge both in my personal relationships and in getting a decent night’s sleep. There’s always a tune playing up there, and if something good manifests itself, I have to run with it, wherever I am. I’ll write in my head cooking breakfast or attending a funeral if need be.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I was recently introduced to Talkie Walkie by Air. That’s a fun record, and a nice study in production. They really captured something unique with that one. It’s soft and hard at the same time. I highly recommend it.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Sharing with others.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Trying to create something with soul and meaning in an industry void of soul and meaning.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
A friend of mine once told me “never underestimate the power of counterpoint”. That advice really helped me ramp up my arrangement game, and still resides at the forefront of my process twenty years later. It’s essentially trading places for instruments, if you’ll indulge the vulgarization. You write your parts with gaps, and then you place other parts within those gaps.
The result is greater excitement, tighter arrangement and clearer creative direction. Songs start to arrange themselves after a while. You just need to find creative ways to fill the spaces.
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Jeremy Rice's new single 'World War Three' is available to stream now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.