Jestamang ’s new release, 8slush (Ode to Bonnie), emerges as a colorful fusion of minimalistic punk and intrinsic psychedelia, drawing from a deliberate simplification of their typically complex sound and an inspiration from the Ramones. The album, part of an ambitious monthly release streak, thrives on a communal creative process that embraces diversity and the dismissal of ego. 

The lead track “Bloodhouse” reflects on the fleetingness of life, a theme stemming from the lead’s brush with mortality. The collective’s diverse artistic backgrounds merge effortlessly, delivering a distinct sound that’s as much about introspective journeys as it is about the collective experience. Jestamang aims for listeners to find a personal renaissance within 8slush, urging an appreciation for life’s finite and perfect nature. With a final wave of releases on the horizon, the group plans to pivot from recording to performance, continuing their dynamic artistry.

8slush (Ode To Bonnie) is described as a vibrant tapestry of sound. What were the main inspirations behind this eclectic mix of genres in the album?

The main inspiration was trying to simplify the songs, as we usually dazzle up our compositions. Definitely was a bit strange at first, cause we get antsy with repetition. We kept the number of takes and instrumentation at a minimum. The Ramones were on a loop at the time, which definitely influenced the short, simple and to the point structure for 8slush. The psychedelic aspect is just a root of Jestamang that naturally weaves in the collective. Harpsichords are nothing new to us, but punk harpsichords are.

With the ambitious project of releasing a new album monthly, how do you manage the creative process to ensure each release maintains its uniqueness and quality?

The 23rd project can’t be executed without handing the baton to other people within certain months. We have a close knit in the collective that makes sure we’re not closing ourselves off to our own ideas and biases. These are the people we trust. We also read the expiration date of trials, sounds, and writing styles. We like to try out everything, as there are endless things to attempt! We don’t limit ourselves in that regard. 

Another thing is that all the Jestamang releases are grouped together, and not separated by artist. If you make art thinking about yourself, you have a harder time experimenting and seeing what’s possible. Throw yourself in someone else’s shoes and you’ve dialed into new depths.

The opening track “Bloodhouse” sets a powerful tone for the album. Can you elaborate on the story or message behind this song?

I had a near death experience back in late 2022 when I was found to have a pulmonary embolism. My lungs weren’t feeling the best from 2020-2022, but I had a very laissez-faire attitude with my health at the time. I thought I had lung cancer or something. I kind of accepted the fact that I might not make it to old age. There’s also an atmosphere of defeat and doom that social media and the internet like to toy around with, especially with people my age. So I combined the two and that’s “Bloodhouse.” The song’s fast tempo is that life is too short a thing that people say all the time, and I understand that, despite being 23 years old.

The Ace of Chase, you’ve been through a significant journey, from your early days in Naples, Florida, to your near-death experience. How have these experiences influenced the music you create with Jestamang, especially in this latest album?

Living life in an old-fashioned, slow-paced town like Naples let me ease into what I wanted to do with music. There was no big rush on developing these ideas and I had no major problems in my life to entertain. That helps with the confidence, as I wasn’t gassed up with praise or being discouraged by the bright lights. 

I gained a collaboration when I moved to Boston and met co-founder Caleb Mars, making upright music that lacks in alternative circles. The pandemic was also a major factor in our creativity. Usually people multitask careers with everything else that comes in life, but with the pandemic, we focused on two things: recording and writing. We did that for three years until I returned back to Naples and went back to my beginnings. 

It’s all balanced and spaced out just right so that it felt like a graduation of sorts. My latest mindset for ‘8slush’ was finding a fast, fat, and direct sound. With a large catalog, the goal is to continue evolving. We know throughout history that it is often the beginning of the end of living when one stagnates.

Being part of a collective with such a diverse group of artists, how do you blend these different artistic styles and backgrounds when creating an album like 8slush (Ode To Bonnie)?

Ode to Bonnie is friends with everyone in Jestamang, so he’s going to pick up on bands like Blue Jays, Venus, and the Flytrap etc. The Jestamang flavor seeps in immediately. It’s not a boxing match, but more like the New York Yankees. With an all star roster and the heavy workload, Ode to Bonnie gains drive and has stood out with his interpretation of psychedelic rock. A distinct loose drum sound is the thing that pops out to me most in his music. That and his coming of age lyrics. He recently graduated high school so he is the youngest in the collective. We appreciate a youthful perspective.

“Goodbye Yesterday” explores themes of disillusionment and moving past the past. Can you share a bit about your songwriting process, especially for such introspective tracks?

The most important thing in songwriting is confidence. We’ve never had a problem with that. I don’t see why our version of painting the world is any less valid than another artist. Lots of artists can get into their own head and that can be cancerous to the mind. People can sense an insecurity like there’s no tomorrow, and we’ve heard enough insecure music throughout the years. 

The fact that we’ve entered the digital age makes us feel like ants. We can do whatever we want under the radar! The best part about no one watching is that you get to be completely immersed. Overall, it’s the belief in yourself that is absolutely crucial in consistent work. When you write more, you improve. Eventually, you’ll have a craving to want the art to make sense for other people.

How do you feel Jestamang has evolved since the start of your ambitious album release journey in January 2021?

When you’re thrown in with the hounds, you begin to have new types of experiences that force you to be at the forefront of your ego and your limitations. These limitations are mainly mental, and the 23rd project is a dojo for appreciating the fact that one is weaker than two. It’s a grind, but the difference between the first and second wave was my near death experience. During the second wave, after finally facing the noise, I had more of a positive and optimistic outlook on changing my life and focused on being a healthier and more ambitious me. It really is a drag to die young, and it’s not sexy or cool in reality. One could say it’s damning that this happened to me, but it was probably the best thing for me.

Songs like “I Multiply” and “Cocaine” delve into darker themes. What motivates you to explore these somber aspects of human nature in your music?

On one level, there’s my personal experience through life, which partly comes from my perspective and imagination. I often find myself interested in and relating to that which is aesthetically beautiful to the heart in harsh juxtaposition to life’s suffering. The beauty of art, music, and tragedy in history. A significant part of human nature and existence is suffering for better or worse, though we have a distinct experience due to our lifestyle, especially in modern America. Exploring that which is somber is exploring a beauty within suffering.

What do you hope listeners take away from 8slush (Ode To Bonnie) as a whole, given its diverse range of themes and sounds?

We want people to experience a renaissance of themselves and the potential future. We want people to realize that it’s not just about them, me, or the music. Jestamang is an exercise in the potentiality and grandness of reality. The infinite reality. It’s a shame that people don’t recognize their one chance in life. Jestamang understands that part of life is suffering due to people’s misfortune. One could say that it’s a deeply rooted aspect in living. However, at the end of the day life is what it is: natural and perfect.

With such a prolific output, what’s next for Jestamang after concluding the ‘8slush (Ode To Bonnie)’ project? Do you have plans for future collaborations or directions you’d like to explore?

We’re wrapping things up with an album on November 23rd called ‘Jestawomang.’ It’s about 30 minutes and has 12 tracks, with many tracks focusing on love. December 23rd will be a Christmas single called “23rd Xmas.” The grand finale will be the 90 minute compilation album called ‘Revolution Epilogue: 2K2123 & 2K2323.’ It’ll be a 27 track album that will represent Jestamang in bite sized form. When the new year hits we are going to put recording on hold and focus on performance. Stay tuned!

Watch the music video for “Bloodhouse” here:

Listen to the full album below: