Melancholic and deeply emotive, Jessie Marcella creates spell-binding compositions born from a passion for neo-classical music and a longstanding love for electronic dance music. Considered harmonies, evolving textures, and striking melodies combined create a strong sense of introspection and presence throughout all of Jessie's music. Classically trained in clarinet, Leeds-based Jessie uses both live and electronic instrumentation within her works, cleverly manipulating sounds and continuing to push sonic boundaries. 

• Course: BA (Hons) Music Production

Tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to music 

I grew up in a small town called Devizes in Wiltshire, my family has always absolutely loved a huge variety of music. I picked up learning the clarinet in primary school at about 7 years old which was my introduction to learning how to read music and how melody and harmony work (I’d always pick the super melancholy songs to play for my exams which I think set the tone for the type of music I make today!). My older sister was always showing me new songs - she has an incredible music taste, all sorts of electronic dance music, my iPod nano was filled with it! We went to a lot of gigs as a family too.

I actually ended up doing 3 years at college, initially I chose Philosophy, Biology, and Geography to study - those didn’t go so well but luckily in my final year I found music production! I was hooked and spent many of my break times in the music suite learning how to use Logic Pro, from that point forward I haven’t stopped producing, it’s a huge emotional outlet for me - I couldn’t live without it really. 

What made you choose Leeds Beckett? 

Leeds was actually a place I had never visited before Beckett’s open day! I wanted to meet new people and have a really new experience and it definitely provided that for me. 

What was it like performing at Radio 1 Big weekend? 

It was wicked! It was actually the first time back in a festival setting for me after Covid, so I was glad to be playing in the relax tent, purely chilled tunes and keeping the atmosphere relaxed. It was really special to share my music with so many different people and to be a part of such a huge line-up! My music has had some amazing support from Sian Eleri and Stuart Sanderman from Radio 1’s Chillest show and Power Down playlist so I was really honoured to have been invited. 

What was your favourite part of studying at Leeds Beckett, and what advice would you give to someone considering studying here?

I’d say do it! There's an amazing social life, wicked studios, and a lot of opportunities - stand-out ones for me were recording the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and engineering alongside Ken Scott. As well as this, the lecturers and mentors are really invested in you and as long as you know where you want to be, they can help you get there. 

Untitled 01 was actually created when I was in my final year at Beckett. It was a track from my final year EP project. It then got picked up by a label called Anjunadeep last November, 3 years after its original release! They then went on to re-release it last month. 

I always think you get out what you put in, and there is so much for you to learn and use and take advantage of when you’re at Leeds Beckett. 

What’s next for you?

I’m always working on new music because that is my favourite part. But a big focus for me at the moment is prepping my live set - this was something I never even thought about when I first made the songs, it’s a lot of work figuring out exactly how to translate them into a live performance so taking time to do this is important. I’ve been working closely with a 3D generalist and motion designer on an A/V experience, this will be a big part of my live shows too. 

I also have some exciting DJing events coming up, including Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy Weekender London in September which will be the biggest gig to date!