In our first Snob & Answer, the rockstar and designer behind the label Deadly Doll – and some of your favorite Chrome Hearts looks – sat down with Highsnobiety after her recent show in New York City to talk fashion icons and music.
It takes a special kind of opening act to capture the attention of an audience. Most openers get the pleasure of performing to a sea of people Googling who they are – or heading to the bathroom one more time, or grabbing some merch – before the headliner comes on. As an extreme stan in my teen years, I can say with confidence that this is just how it is. And, unless you’re one of the artists opening for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, it is rare for an audience to care about an opening act, period, let alone care about the opener more than the main act.
Jesse Jo Stark is that kind of act – her audience cares a lot. Currently on tour with The Veronicas, I managed to catch the rockstar and designer of Deadly Doll and Chrome Hearts at a recent show at Irving Plaza, in New York City. And while I caught a fair share of the crowd looking up Stark’s profile on their respective streaming platforms ahead of her hitting the stage, those same people were jumping around by the end of her set, and just as many were singing along to every word that came out of Stark’s mouth. (I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t one of them. I’ve been a fan for several years, even seeing her at the Doomed tour, in 2022. And, no disrespect to The Veronicas, but I was there to see Jesse Jo.)
Back in her dressing room, packed full with bandmates, friends, and a mishmash of bags, makeup, and signs from fans, we caught up with Stark to talk about music, fashion, and how it all intersects for her.
HIGHSNOBIETY: How are you feeling tonight?
JESSE JO STARK: I feel good. [The band and I] just had four shows in a row, so my legs are about to fall off, but now I get to have a fun night in New York City.
How did you discover you wanted to be a musician?
I was like seven or eight, and I started writing poetry, and it took me a while to really think I had a good voice. I started taking guitar [lessons] and my parents were really supportive. I danced, I took guitar, I sang. Friday nights it was me in my bedroom, singing with my girlfriends. When I turned 19, it took a different form, I needed to try playing on stage. It just evolved from there, and now if I don’t write a song for a while it feels like I’m starving.
How do music and fashion go hand-in-hand?
I don’t think they do for everybody. I think some artists should not design their own merch. It’s just all a form of expression.
You grew up in a very fashion-centered family. How does that influence your music?
I grew up around a lot of music. You know, my parents were obsessed. A normal day is me rehearsing in [my dad’s] office while I’m above the machine shop. I don’t know how, but they very much influence each other, and I think it’s cool for me to be able to go make [an outfit] for someone else and then go to the studio and make a song, which is more about me and my experiences. They are kind of different, but they influence each other in some capacity.
You have Deadly Doll and of course you design for Chrome Hearts, what’s your process behind designing and coming up with pieces?
I think that everything I grew up learning with Chrome Hearts through my parents is ingrained in me. But there’s a lot of rules that come with that in a way. Even though I got to try new things, Deadly Doll has opened up this different world for me where I don’t have a lot of rules. When I put out a single it’s always accompanied by art. It’s just allowed me to embrace that side of me, elevate other artists and collaborate because I’m so bad at [drawing], so I’ve been able to call up my friends and be like ‘make something for me,’ and I love seeing it on people.
If you were to describe a Jesse Jo Stark show to anyone in 5 words, what would you use?
Sultry, only because someone told me that. Scented – Chrome Hearts 33 of course. Tough. Heart. Intention.
What was your favorite performance look that you’ve ever worn?
My favorite performance [look] I’ve ever worn was from Cher’s archives. It was a Bob Mackie beaded silver loin thing.
When on tour, what is one item from your closet that goes with you everywhere?
My [Chrome Hearts] Sugar Jones boots.
Who is your style icon or icons?
Laurie Lynn Stark, Frankie Bell [Stark], Britney Spears, Cher, and Poison Ivy.
What song do you have on repeat?
Metal Heart by Cannons and a couple of Turnstile [songs]
