This month, we caught up with Japanese-American rock and Hip-Hop singer/songwriter, rapper, guitarist, philanthropist and entreprenuer, Jesse McFaddin. In addition to his solo career, he is also in RIZE as well as The BONEZ which have been bands that he has been in for a number of years and he recently started another band, E.D.O. For Jesse, music is the way that he communicates and shares his message as well as his love for fashion which includes a number of brands that he has created. We take a moment to talk with him about how he started in the industry as his father Char is a known rock legend, how Jesse made his music and journey his own, how he creates new music whether solo or collaboratively and his latest album with The Bonez - Yours.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with music?

JESSE MCFADDIN: As long as I can remember, since I was born quite naturally. Some examples include my mother singing her favorite tunes, such as Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton, every night as a sort of lullaby. My father is a professional rock guitarist, my mother creates lyrics for his songs, so I had frequently sung those songs under these circumstance, such as Rock Band Way, I have been falling love with music for m entire life.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to make music?

JM: Pretty late, I guess. It was probably around 15, 16 years old, when I realized it. Until then, Hip-Hop was my first influence, records included both acappella & instrumentals, so using those materials, I had created my original lyrics of some songs, singing on top of those. Gradually, I noticed, that I could make a track with my guitar phrases!

AM: How has your father influenced you in your music career?

JM: I have been realizing more these days, as I grow older and have matured. But when I started in music, my direction was quite the opposite of my father's music genre, because I didn’t want to be in his shadow. So, I became more Hip-Hop centric rather than Rock Music. However, I have 2 rock bands now. One band is RIZE. Last year marked the 25th anniversary after our debut. The other band, The BONEZ, has our 10th anniversary this year. By continuing to do what we started and then increasing a little by little, I see what we have created for the past 26 years! I have to say that my father has influenced me a lot. This is why I am able to make a living with music.

AM: At what point did you realize that this was something that you wanted to do as a career?

JM: It was during my high school days when Sony Music asked us for our contract, I was 18, my partner Nobuaki Kaneko, drummer of RIZE was 17. But we replied to Sony saying, “Can you wait until we graduate from high school? And if you still want us, let’s sign our contract.” Signing a contract wasn’t our goal. Rather, our goal was just to have fun - just like going to a skatepark. But we finally reached the deal, even though we were sort of a jerk (lol) at that time! We wondered why they wanted us but Sony emphasized that wanted to be part of us.

AM: When you're creating new music whether solo or your groups, how do you get inspiration for your next project?

JM: It is very hard to find out the root of art, or seeds in any types of projects. I get my influences through my personal stories, my friend's episodes, bumping into some news info, although that is fake or true, those are my triggers to plan for new projects or creating new songs. I guess, this is the hardest aspect for us as artists. For me, creating from 0 to 1 is totally harder than from 1 to 10. But the bottom line is, believing in myself is a crucial part for any creation, I guess.

AM: You're a singer, rapper, guitarist, music producer and composer how do you juggle all of these roles and do you have a preference of one over others?

JM: In thinking about this, my theory is the same. I mean, having same stances, or attitude to various things, not only in music, but when communicating, either with my wife, with my kids, with my friends, you, and others - this is important. But surely as a member in a band, or solo, the reactions are slightly different. The only way to express oneself is just to be naturally aligned, I guess. I used to draw boundaries around those, but I finally realized that simplicity is best.

AM: Tell me about RIZE. How did this group come together and what are you working on now in terms of new music, tours etc?

JM: We are friends from our childhoods. We have our own pace. We feel that when the time is ripe, we're gonna restart again.

AM: You're also in The BONEZ. How is this group different than RIZE and what are working on with them musically and are you touring?

JM: Forming this band is very different from RIZE. Quite accidentally, The BONEZ was born, I guess. That was 12 years ago. I initiated the launch of this new project with COZY, on 11th, Nov, 2011 = 2011/11/11, as a new type of project where we had a series of opportunities for my fans to participate in, by creating with this project. We were prioritizing Mash Up with my fan. Through those processes, the album called Stand Up was released on 11th, Nov, 2012 as the credit JESSE & The BONEZ. Along that flow, we organized The 1st and The Final Gig as sort of a memorable liveon 11th, Jan, Nov. In order to do this show, I needed band members so I asked T$UYO$Hito to play bass and ZAX from Pay Money to My Pain (PTP) to play drums. They were meant to be supporting members. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy of one of my closest friends and amazing singer, K who was the vocalist of PTP, he passed away suddenly. So even looking back, The BONEZ was fortuitously formed.

AM: It's interesting how you enjoy various genres of music and you have another group that you created, E.D.O. - tell me about this group and why you wanted to create it?

JM: These members are also high school friends, like RIZE. Just keep on doing, that’s what I want to.

AM: You also have solo projects musically, is there anything that you can share with us?

JM: Quite randomly, upon some timing. Sure, I am always writing songs. But, one epic thing I can share here, is I am planning for releasing a new solo single, title called Never Mind. This song is so dope! Once I can disclose, for sure, sharing immediately. Looking forward to it!!

AM: You're known for your fashion sense and even have your own line, S&Co's and Cloudland 33. Why is it important to you to have this in your portfolio and are there any interesting collaborations and projects that we should keep an eye out for?

JM: I love clothes, including vintage, but Price doesn’t matter. Individuality, Identity matter. Fashion is the sure way to express who you are. I love T-shirts. It is the reason why I own my clothing fabric printing company called JESSE’s Shop & Factory.

AM: As a philanthropist, you created Bring the Hope. Tell me about this organization and what it does.

JM: I launched my philanthropic activity due to the natural disaster that happened in Haiti in 2010. My local hometown, TOGOSHI, in Japanese pronunciation, “TO” same pronunciation with 10, “GO” = 5, “SHI” = 4. Based upon some instinctive inspiration from here, I decided to start our free concert at the park in Togoshi, in 20”10”/”5”/”4”. 1 year after Haiti's disaster, we had another big earthquake in Tohoku, Japan on Mar, 2011. Since then, I have organized these free concerts with a number of my musical friends at the same park in Togoshi, every 4th, May. During COVID-19, I organized these events online. Through our free lives where anyone can join without fees, I want attendants to feel happy, gratefulness for our ordinal life, peace, and hope.

AM: As someone who is involved in a number of projects what are you working on that you would like to share that we should keep an eye out for?

JM: As I initially mentioned, This year in 2023 is The BONEZ’s 10th anniversary after we officially formed. We are gonna kick off our nationwide live tour this May, where we will visit 47 prefectures with our new album, Yours which has been our first release in 5 years. I'm looking forward to meeting with our fans “BONER” all over Japan. I surely promise, we will pump you up! Please check out our tour info.

AM: Because of the work that you do, what is your process when you decide whether you're partnering with someone or doing a collaboration? Are there certain things that you look for in deciding to go forward on those?

JM: Every time I collaborate with other artists, and/or create songs with others, I often try to explore their ideas at first. If they don’t have ideas, or imagination out of stocks, then I give them my ideas. I tend to prioritize opportunities for my collaborative partners to expand their creativity.

AM: How do you take time for yourself so when you're not on stage or working on your next project?

JM: Mostly spending time with wonderful, beautiful family.

AM: You're in great shape, what are 3 workouts that you do that we should consider adding to our routines?

JM: Ab Roller - Squat - SEX

AM: With the summer around the corner, what are your looking forward to personally and/or professionally?

JM: Personally: Going to beach resort with my family. Professionally: Joining in the following major Rock Fes.

IG @jesse_mcfaddin_original

@the____bonez

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT | INTERVIEW + PG 106 9PLAYLIST Yoshifumi Shimizu