With serious California Country vibes on his new album, Rollin On’, you’d never imagine that in another life, Jesse Daniel was a drummer in a punk band, but you’d be wrong. That’s ok though, Jesse is used to working hard and proving people wrong. Especially those people that never thought that a punk kid with a troubled past from a small town outside Santa Cruz would now be a rising star in the Americana and Alt Country genres. Since his self-titled debut album was released in May of 2018, Jesse and his partner, co-writer, and band mate, Jodi Lyford, have been busting their asses in the music industry, trying to make a name for themselves. Since that time, Jesse has won the 2019 Ameripolitan Honky-Tonk Male of the Year, opened for artists like Charley Crockett, Jason Boland and Colter Wall, and started Die True Records. He has also relocated to Austin, Texas, the base for the non-stop touring he’s done up until the last couple of weeks, and still somehow in the middle of all of this, managed to successfully fund and record his second album.

In the first part of June 2019, Jesse and Jodi made the long drive from California to Cherry Ridge Studios, which is located not far from the town of Floresville, Texas, about 30 minutes southeast of San Antonio. Cherry Ridge Studios is the home studio of Tommy Detamore, the producer of Rollin’ On. You’d never guess that this home tucked off a tree-lined gravel road and surrounded by pastures would be where so much magic happens, but this is where Rollin On’ and many other albums have been made. Jesse tracked Tommy down after loving the sound of many albums that Tommy had played on or produced and was determined to bring that sound to his own record.

I discovered Jesse’s first album in early 2019 and was a bit nervous to see how his second album could compare to such a great debut album. I shouldn’t have worried though, Jesse has struck gold again with an album that you could almost believe came out of the Bakersfield Sound boom of the 1960’s. Just like on his first album, there are songs that come from both the good and troubling parts of Jesse’s life. Whether it’s his own personal experiences or those of friends or people he meets on tour, it’s that personal element that really makes the songs more than just words set to music.

Before I even listened to the record, I’d had some exposure to this stellar album. Jesse has been releasing singles like “If You Ain’t Happy Now (You Never Will Be)” and the title track from the album, “Rollin’ On,” leading up to the album’s March 27th release.  If you’ve happened to catch Jesse on tour in the last six months, chances are he’s done at least a few of the songs off the record during his set.  

Although, as a whole, the twelve track album is chock full of great songs, there are a few that stood out to me as favorites. “Mayo and the Mustard” may seem like an odd title for a song, but once you listen to the lyrics it all makes sense. At its core, it’s very much a road song, with references to the road of life and “keeping it between the mayo and the mustard.” A clever play on words and fun imagery to boot, makes this a remarkable track on the record. One of my favorites is the surprising, instrumental track, “Chickadee,” with a rollicking melody that sounds like it would fit in seamlessly on an album like Buck Owens’ Instrumental Hits. The song is packed with pedal steel and features stand up bass and drum solos. It’s a catchy tune that you’ll find yourself humming long after you’re done listening to it. The last track on the record, but certainly not least, “Son of San Lorenzo” is a slowed down track that references the fast living Jesse Daniel did in his youth. With its autobiographical lyrics laced with the haunting sounds of the fiddle, it’s quickly became the standout song of the record.

“Trouble found me like the hair on my chin/ Each time I’d get clean, it’d just grow back again/ I got strung out and locked up, but I made it out alive/ I did a life’s worth of living in a short block of time/ I can’t say I’d like to go through it again/ But, I put down the spoon and I picked up the pen/ Now I travel and sing, with the love of my life/ Proud to say I made that decision right.”

I know we’re not far into 2020, but I have the feeling this is going to be one of the best albums that is released this year. So far, Jesse Daniel has done nothing but impress me with both albums he’s released. “Rollin On” is a continuation of his story and proves that with hard work and the right mindset, you can overcome your past and build a life and career to be proud about.

If you haven’t downloaded or bought Jesse’s new album, you can do so here:

jessedanielmusic.com/store

All Photos By Melissa Payne:

melissapaynephotography.com