Conversations with Adam Jessamine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Jessamine.

Hi Adam, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a session guitarist, bassist, and touring musician originally from Philadelphia, PA, who has been based out of Los Angeles, CA for the past 6 years. Currently I am the touring bass player for the Austin, Texas based artist Emily Wolfe who is signed to record producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, All American Rejects, Kelly Clarkson) and Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace) label Judge and Jury Records. I have shared the stage with Yungblud, The 1975, 30 Seconds to Mars, Kings of Leon, Frank Turner, The Warning, Bastille, Fitz & The Tantrums, Chvrches, and have done tours for Sirius Radio Alt Nation.

My story is a big of a cliche. I started a band, we got signed to a major label, and we had a signer with some of the classic problems that can come along with it mixed with some shady managers. Ultimately the band didn’t work out, but I was hungry for more. I wasn’t ready to give up on the dream or walk away from music, so I packed up and moved to Los Angeles. I didn’t necessarily know what was going to happen next, I just knew I wasn’t finished yet.

My bands have been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, Alternative Press, American Songwriter, and tons more.

As a musician, I have worked with some of the industry’s finest producers and recorded at some amazing studios, which produce records from artists such as 5 Seconds to Summer, All Time Low, Emarosa, The Dear Hunter, Glassjaw, Four Year Strong, Fuel and many more. I got my start playing in local bands from the Philadelphia area gaining attention from major labels and cut my teeth touring with New York City artist Micky James.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My story is a big of a cliche. I started a band, we got signed to a major label, and we had a signer with some of the classic problems that can come along with it mixed with some shady managers. Ultimately the band didn’t work out, but I was hungry for more. I wasn’t ready to give up on the dream or walk away from music.

Through a chance encounter I ended up playing bass for the New York City based artist Micky James. We did countless tours a Live album and did The Rock Boat, Live Nations Sirus Radio’s Advance Placement tour with The Regrettes and Jesse Welles. There were plans to tour even more and then covid hit.

Covid really put a wrench in that touring plan. So I packed up and moved to Los Angeles. I didn’t necessarily know what was going to happen next, I just knew I wasn’t finished yet. In LA I met producer Courtney Ballard who was a massive inspiration not only musically but as a friend. Things started moving, I ended up playing guitar as a hired gun for Bloody Bananas, featuring members of Fun. & Jackson United. We hit the road with Wild Party and sold out places like The Troubadour and Pappy & Harriet’s. It felt like proof that taking the chance and moving across the country and refusing to give up on music was starting to pay off.

My wife and I went to see one of our favorite artists and personal guitar hero of mine Emily Wolfe. I noticed her bassist wasn’t playing that night, so she was performing as a guitar and drum duo. I looked over at my wife and said, “I’m going to play bass for her.”

A few months later I was invited to Emily’s next show at the Gibson showroom. After the show she remembered me from our brief interaction the night we first met. She looked at me and said “Adam! Hey you play bass right?” With out missing a beat I said “I’ll learn your whole catalog right now.” A few days later she messaged me with a set list for a festival and flew me to Texas for a practice.

Not long after that I was out on Yungblud’s Idols tour with Emily and then we were supporting Frank Turner and now in a few days I’m headed back out on the road with her supporting The Toadies.

There were plenty of moments when the sensible thing probably would have been to accept that my shot at doing this had already come and gone. I’d gotten a record deal. I’d watch a band fall apart, I started over countless times. But I never stopped wanting it, ever since I was a kid, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do was be in a band.

And apparently sometimes you just have to be crazy enough to look at your wife in the middle of a show and say “I’m going to play bass for her.”

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a completely self taught musician and the thing I’m most proud of is that I never gave up. There were plenty of times when things didn’t work out the way I hoped but I kept putting myself out there, kept playing, and kept looking for the next opportunity. Ive learned that so much of being a musician comes down to perseverance and persistence. Being willing to hear “no” deal with setbacks and still show up ready for whatever comes next and being a team player with a great vibe really does make a difference. Looking back some of the opportunities I’m most grateful for happened simply because I refused to give up and just put myself out there.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
The thing I love about Los Angeles is that you truly never know what’s going to happen. You never know who you’re going to run into, what conversation might spark something, or where one random interaction might take you. There’s always this feeling that something unexpected could be right around the corner, and I think that’s the part that makes this city so special.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamjessamine

Image Credits
Whitney Hensley, Jesse DeFlorio, Rich Russo, Alyssa Kriner, Brad Kinnan, Stan Martin