Pigeon Opinion Featuring an Interview with Jesse Bloodgood

Bloodgood's new EP "Wishful Thinker" represents his songwriting gift with honest, heartfelt Modern Indie Rock that doesn't shy from hard-to-talk about themes, which Bloodgood introduces with his scrappy yet intricate baritone-tenor. The songs of "Wishful Thinker" are authentic, forward, and worth spending time with.

Interview with Jesse Bloodgood

^)> What inspired the emotional themes behind Wishful Thinker?

I was in a difficult emotional place and struggling with some mental health stuff, the themes came pretty naturally. Writing the record was a cathartic experience.

(^)> How do you translate self-reflection into Modern Indie Rock?

Good question. Sometimes I feel like despite how hard I try, I get in my own way and fail to do this well. If that’s really your goal, then allowing yourself to be wrong and own mistakes is a great start. It’s also important to be patient.

(^)> Which song felt most personal to write and record?

My first instinct was to say “Cutting Room Floor,” but the honest answer might be the title track. “Wishful Thinker” speaks to someone who struggles to see their own worth and keeps neglecting their passions out of fear, shame, and doubt. What listeners may not realize is that this figure is like 90% me.

The song actually began as something written from the perspective of a friend addressing me, but as it took shape, it started to feel more like I was the one speaking to a friend I love and want to help. The perspective shifted several times, and that was probably the only thing that made it possible for me to finish the track. Deep down though, I knew I was still writing about myself.

(^)> How does vulnerability shape your songwriting process?

I make a habit out of talking about what hurts, the heavy stuff comes out often. It’s just something I’ve done for a long time with my music. It’s not that I’m carless about what I have to say, quite the opposite actually, I invest a lot of care into making sure the lyrics are saying what I want them to…and sometimes what I want to say is very raw and real.

(^)> What message do you hope listeners take from this EP?

I hope listeners feel permission to acknowledge whatever the songs bring up for them. Ideally, when they step away from the record, I hope they feel like less like they “took” something, as much as they got something off their chest.

^)> How did working with Plaid Dog Recording influence the sound?

The producer, Ryan Gallagher, deserves his flowers here. We worked together on the arrangements over Zoom and I mention this whenever I can, partnering with him on these tracks was incredible, he really helped me achieve the vision and it’s been one of the more rewarding partnerships of my career.

The fundraising aspect that goes into working with Plaid Dog was pretty difficult for me. I struggle at self-promotion, and it was especially challenging during the that emotional period for me…but we got the job done and I’m happy we did.

(^)> How do you balance raw honesty with musical structure?

Lyrics and song structure often come hand in hand for me.

(^)> Which lyric best represents the heart of this project?

“Every once in a while, your dreams cheat death;

There’s nothing quite like that natural high.”

(^)> How do themes of growth and struggle coexist in your music?

That is hard question to answer without sounding too inflated or self-help-bookish, but where there is struggle, there is inherently opportunity for growth. I write so often about my own personal shortcomings, failures, losses, and such – all which lend themselves to trying again, and doing a little better this next time around.

(^)> What distinguishes this EP from your earlier projects?

This EP marks a real shift from my earlier work. I think my artistry is always developing, but moreover, recording in a studio with a full band for the first time since 2018, the songs have an authentic and organic sound, something my synth‑heavy DIY projects couldn’t fully capture in the past.

This project has also received the strongest response from listeners so far, which has made the

whole process feel especially meaningful.

(^)> How did your past band experiences shape this release?

Entering the studio several times with An Artist’s Depiction really cut my teeth for that setting.

I’m not sure how accurate this is, but I got the impression from Plaid Dog that often the artists

they work with are entering the studio for the first time. That can be super overwhelming,

intimidating even, and thankfully those sorts of jitters were all shaken out of me years ago. I

came prepared and excited, which felt great.

(^)> What emotions do you want listeners to sit with afterward?

The EP covers a lot of emotional ground in just 4 songs. There’s a love song, an inspiring song,

and then there’s anger, before it finally comes to a rest at a more defeated place. All of those

feelings are real and valid, and none of them are the whole story. Seasons change and you keep

growing through it all.

(^)> How does your New York background influence your artistry?

I’m from a small town in the Finger Lakes. While the region certainly has an identity, it isn’t

quite so influential as say growing up in New York City would have been. I feel fortunate to live

where I do, but I’ve entertained the idea of relocating somewhere a little busier, sometimes I

feel like I’m on the outside looking in at so many great music scenes.

(^)> Which track would you suggest as the first listen?

It’s a short record and I’d encourage listeners to start right at the beginning with “Lighthouse

Night Owl”. I think it’s a solid opening track.

(^)> After Wishful Thinker, where do you want to grow next?

What a great question. I’ve been working on myself in a variety of ways…but my artistry is of

course always something I hope to grow and improve. Here’s to plenty more of that. Until then

and there.

(•)> That's all, Folks! Check out Jesse Bloodgood on the Pigeon Opinion Playlist