Jessica Drake Mosher: Back to Analog Roots and Emotional Performances
In this episode of Local Music Somewhere: Host Edition on rBeatz.com, Greazy Keyz sits down with singer-songwriter Jessica Drake Mosher for an intimate and inspiring conversation about her music journey and creative process. The show opens with Jessica showcasing her cherished Tascam PortaStudio, an analog recording device she’s used since her teenage years. Jessica explains how reconnecting with the simplicity of analog recording helped reignite her passion for music after feeling jaded by the industry. She shares how working within constraints, like recording on tape, brings her back to the raw, emotional core of creating music.
Jessica dives into her upcoming project, a collection of tape-recorded songs set to release in spring 2025, which aims to preserve the warmth and character of analog sound. Greazy and Jessica discuss the evolution of her music, from her pop-rock debut to her emotionally raw sophomore album and her modern ’80s synth-inspired EP. Jessica reflects on her deeply personal songwriting process, often drawing from subconscious emotions that reveal their meaning over time.
The episode also features a live performance of Jessica’s track “Long Nights,” a stripped-down acoustic version from her EP Awake in Five Languages. Her heartfelt delivery captivates the audience, demonstrating the power and vulnerability in her music. Greazy praises her authenticity and artistry, calling her a true creative force.
Jessica also opens up about a stop-motion music video she created for her song “You’re Dying,” a deeply personal project tied to her second album. The video’s raw emotion reflects her experiences of family hardship, including her father’s recovery from addiction. Despite the challenges, Jessica shares her gratitude for her father’s influence on her music and their improved relationship.
As the conversation wraps up, Jessica hints at future projects, including more music videos, and invites fans to support her journey via Venmo. Greazy commends her resilience and artistry, calling her an inspiration to independent musicians everywhere. The episode concludes with a heartfelt thank-you and excitement for what’s next in Jessica’s evolving career. This candid and uplifting interview highlights the passion, creativity, and authenticity that drive Jessica’s music, making it a must-watch for fans of independent artists.
The Return to Analog with Tascam PortaStudio
Greazy: Hey, welcome to rBeatz.com. I’m Greazy Keys with a very special episode of Local Music Somewhere: Host Edition, featuring our special guest, Jessica Drake Mosher. Welcome to the studio, Jessica. How are you doing?
Jessica: I’m great, Greazy. I’m so glad to finally do a show with you.
Greazy: All right, this feels like it’s been a long time coming. I really appreciate you coming in. Let’s have a great conversation today.
The intro video showed you setting up an old-school portable studio. Tell us a little bit about that.
Jessica: Okay, well, I actually brought it today, so let me just show you real quick.
Greazy: Oh, man.
Jessica: Yeah, so I got this when I was, I wanna say, 14 or 15.
Greazy: Oh, wow. For the kids out there, what is that?
Jessica: This is a Tascam PortaStudio—basically like an old-school MacBook for music from the ’90s. You’ve got your little cassette right there. It’s totally different from today’s demoing and recording experience.
Greazy: Right, and you have to be careful about recording over stuff.
Jessica: Oh, definitely. If you don’t turn on the safety, you can easily record over things, and it’s heartbreaking when it happens. I’ve learned to always double-check.
Greazy: I know what you mean. I had one of these back in the late ’90s. It was the go-to tool for aspiring musicians who couldn’t afford a big recording studio. Tascam really made home recording accessible.
Jessica: Exactly! I remember taking it to my friend’s house to share a song I was really proud of. She listened and said, “It’s a little long, isn’t it?” Brutal honesty, but it was all part of the fun.
Greazy: Oh, the joys of creating and sharing back then! But now, with all the digital options like GarageBand, why are you still using the PortaStudio?
Jessica: It was a conscious decision. I spent the last 10 years in a full studio with everything at my disposal—Pro Tools, plugins, the whole setup. After a while, it felt overwhelming. I wanted to reconnect with music on a simpler level, without waiting for computers to boot up or dealing with endless options.
Greazy: Simplicity can really bring you back to the core of creativity.
Jessica: Exactly. Now, I just record raw acoustic tracks, add some harmonies or lead lines, and keep it simple. It’s a completely different feeling compared to sitting at a computer.
Greazy: That’s awesome. It reminds me of how the Beatles recorded on just four or eight tracks. They had to get creative, bouncing multiple tracks onto one.
Jessica: Right, it’s all about working within limitations. That’s the magic.
Greazy: You mentioned you’re planning to release these recordings as a collection. Tell us more about that.
Jessica: Yes! I’ve decided to release a collection of these tape-recorded songs in spring 2025. It started as a personal project to reconnect with music, but it’s grown into something I’m really excited to share.
Greazy: That’s fantastic! How will you transition from tape to digital for mastering?
Jessica: I’ll run the tracks into Logic, but my goal is to keep them as raw as possible. Maybe minimal EQ adjustments if needed, but I want to preserve the analog character.
Greazy: Speaking of analog, are you considering releasing them on cassette?
Jessica: I’d love to! I grew up with cassettes—my first medium. There’s something so special about tactile music.
Greazy: That would be incredible. Save me a copy—I’ll have to dig out my old Walkman!
Jessica: Definitely. It’s such a fun way to revisit the physical aspect of music.
Greazy: How many albums or EPs have you released so far?
Jessica: I’ve released two full albums and one EP so far. Each project has been different. The first was pop-rock, the second more raw and emotional, and the EP was a modern ’80s synth vibe.
Greazy: That’s a great range. Do you usually write from personal experience?
Jessica: Yes, my songs are very personal. Writing for others is easier because there’s no emotional attachment, but for my own work, it’s a process of letting themes and ideas grow naturally over time.
Greazy: That’s amazing. It sounds like music is a way for you to process and express emotions, even ones you might not fully understand at the time.
Jessica: Exactly. Sometimes I realize years later what a song was really about. It’s like my subconscious knew before I did.
Greazy: That’s the beauty of music. Well, we’re almost out of time. Anything else you’d like to share before we take a break and get to the live performance?
Jessica: Just that I’m really excited to perform “Long Nights” for you all. It’s a stripped-down version of a track from my EP, and I think it’s going to be really special.
Greazy: Looking forward to it. Thanks for being here, Jessica. Stay tuned, everyone!
Greazy: And let’s go, Checkers! Welcome back to rBeatz.com Local Music Somewhere. We’ve got Greazy Keys here with a very special guest, Jessica Drake Mosher—an rBeatz OG in the studio. She’s been sharing her music, her stories… just great to have you here for this session, Jess.
Jessica: Yeah, I’m so excited to be here.
Greazy: Awesome! So, let’s dive into this next tune.
Jessica: Yeah, this one’s called “Long Nights.” It’s off my most recent EP, Awake in Five Languages. It’s streaming everywhere. Are you ready, Freddy?
(Plays song)
Greazy: Thank you, Greazy.
Jessica: Hey, thank you!
Greazy: What a brilliant song, for real.
Jessica: Thank you. It’s such an honor. And honestly, I’ve just been listening to the recording on repeat.
Greazy: I’m so glad we got to share this. You deserve to have your music out there. I hope you get back to playing live, as much as you’d like to.
Jessica: I’d love that. It’s been so long, but I want to get back to it.
Greazy: Absolutely. So, any big holiday plans?
Jessica: Honestly? I plan to do as little as possible. laughs
Greazy: Good for you!
Jessica: Yeah, I just want to focus on my next project. But holidays are for slowing down, you know?
Greazy: For sure. I’d like to slow down, but it’s usually my busiest time. As a musician, I pick up a lot of gigs. Some days, I’m doubled or tripled up. Next thing I know, the year’s over.
Jessica: Yeah, it can be wild! Oh, I almost forgot—I wanted to bring up a music video I made.
Greazy: Absolutely. Not to make this the Jessica show, but I’m thrilled to share your work.
Jessica: Thanks! So, I’ve always had these storyboards in my head for songs. But I never had the budget to make real music videos. Back in 2016, I decided to create a stop-motion video using paper cutouts. It took me about three months. Can we cue that up, Johnny?
(“You’re Dying” music video plays.)
Greazy: Wow. Just wow. The raw emotion in that video is incredible.
Jessica: Thank you. It still gets me every time.
Greazy: You’re a true artist. Music, visuals—everything.
Jessica: I appreciate that. The video ties into my second album, which was deeply personal. My mom had a stroke when I was 19, and my dad—her caregiver—fell into addiction. That album was about my family falling apart and my changing role.
Greazy: That must’ve been so difficult.
Jessica: It was. But I’m happy to say my dad’s been clean for four or five years now. We even took a trip to England recently.
Greazy: That’s incredible.
Jessica: Yeah, he’s always been my biggest musical influence. Having him well now… there are no words.
Greazy: That’s beautiful. And what’s next?
Jessica: I’d love to make more professional videos. If anyone wants to support, my Venmo is @jessicamosher-20—that’s M-O-S-H-E-R-20. Even a dollar would mean the world.
Greazy: I know whatever you create will be amazing.
Jessica: Thank you so much.
Greazy: Well, that’s a wrap for today. This has been Local Music Somewhere on rBeatz.com.
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