My Music Episode 622 - Balderdasch

My Music – Graham Coath talks to Balderdasch (Jess Matthews)In this episode, Graham Coath sits down with alt-pop artist Balderdasch — also known as Jess Matthews — for a colourful, funny, and candid conversation about creativity, identity, and the messy magic of making music.Jess talks about her ever-changing visual eras (including the famous knitted balaclava crafted by her mum), the club culture influences that seep into her left-field pop sound, and why her violin may make a scratchy cinematic comeback. She opens up about the tension between artistry and the pressures of promotion, how collaboration fits into her future, and the politics of where her music shouldn’t end up.Graham digs into the craft: Jess’s inspirations from St. Vincent to Kim Gordon, the joy and pain of songwriting, and the realities of being an independent musician in a digital age. They explore themes of emotional inheritance that are shaping Jess’s next body of work — and her ambition to take her time and create an album with depth and intention.The episode is packed with stories, humour, and raw insight: festival supergroups that could’ve been, obscure Christmas songs, the chaos of TikTok virality, and the strange intimacy between artists and the audience.Jess also shares details of upcoming live shows in London — including Montez Press Radio’s fundraiser and her own headline gig at The Victoria, Dalston.A thoughtful and vivid conversation with an artist forging her own path.Tune in, discover Balderdasch, and add her music to your playlist — your ears will thank you.