by Chris Pizzolo

Shooting a session with your music idol is kind of like wielding a double edged sword. Having the ability to communicate with your favorite musicians is easily the most fulfilling and rewarding part of being apart of a music website. At the same time, it’s incredibly nerve wracking to balance a casual yet professional demeanor with a stranger that you’re pretty much obsessed with.

That was how I felt on the morning of our JMSN shoot. I knew that I’d be meeting an artist that really had a profound impact on me. JMSN’s music was first introduced to me by a very close friend and from the first note I heard I was hooked. JMSN is a  soulful, truthful storyteller that bares it all, over a pallet of colorful and groovy neo-soul R&B music. There are certain artists that are on our “wish-list” for sessions, and when JMSN agreed to come to Queens to shoot a session with us we were over the moon.

JMSN’s visit to Queens came as the band was on tour for the latest release It Is, a beautiful full length record that features a lot more long-form slow jam tracks than his previous record Blue. The album is powerful both in lyrical content and musical performance. There isn’t much known about the Detroit native, as he rarely does interviews and video sessions, so needless to say when we met JMSN, we were floored with what a humble, and cool guy he is. Beyond his personality traits, what was especially impressive was his role as a musical director for the band.  This is a six-piece operation that works flawlessly together like a championship sports team. It’s our pleasure to present our session of JMSN’s “Fuck U”

Special thanks to Astoria Soundworks in Queens, Hector Merejo, Mike Beck of Refuge Recording, Matt Middleton, Adam Miltenberger, Mai Nolasco, and everyone else who made this session possible. Also thank you to Zach for introducing me to JMSN’s music.