EQUATE Meets Jerome Thomas
"By being black alone, it begins to feel like a constant state of hurt and healing"
Photography Credit: Chiara Melchior
Arrest the traffic in your mind and sink into the warm embrace of Jerome Thomas, as he provides his latest instalment ‘Right There’. Offering liquid gold vocals that dance delicately between pockets of honey-glazed production, we have no choice but to simply indulge in this sweet and soulful treat. Born and raised in Dalston, Thomas grew up with a 90s Soul RnB soundtrack, courtesy of his mother’s music taste. Infiltrating these inspirations into his own unique sound, he’s received various acclaim from tastemakers for his work, most notably his debut EP ‘Conversations’. BBC 1Xtra and Jam Supernova have previously referred to him as an ‘Artist To Watch’, whilst he was selected to appear at the Nile Rogers curated Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre. Collaborating with the likes of BONDAX, Blue Lab Beats, Ty Macklin (Erykah Badu, India Arie), Serious Klein, the singer-songwriter has shown no sign of slowing down.We caught up with Jerome for a Q&A, where we discuss journeys of healing, his inspirations and plans for his future.
Read the interview below…
Words by Elle Watson
EQ: Hi Jerome, firstly could you tell us a little about yourself? What makes you tick?
J: I’m an emotional being, Sun & Venus Pisces, Moon & rising Sagittarius, I’m somewhat of an empath, so shit, just about anything triggers me lol but innately I’m a chilled person, deep thinking, and joy seeking, often in my own world, which pretty much consists of astrology, music, creating, podcasts, meditation, gym and introspection.
EQ: Your music is so incredibly free and soulful, D’Angelo-esque.. almost like a recorded live jam where magic is captured. Does your songwriting process begin in that fashion? How do your ideas come to fruition?
J: I usually start by playing the beat, and recording myself freestyling on a voice note. I find my first ideas are usually my best, I’ll then work from the voice note, it’s not always that I’ll like the whole idea, but there is usually a melody in there that becomes the launching pad of the process, and the rest is just flow.
EQ: To me - ‘Right There’ feels like a warm embrace that coming directly from your heart.. Do you find music to be your ‘love language’ in a sense? Are you good at communication in everyday life?
J: I definitely would consider music as one of my love languages to the point where poor musical taste is an actual turn off for me, whether in platonic or romantic relationship. If we’re going to be spending time together, we can’t be disagreeing about the vibe setter. My communication skills have improved, I’ll say that, especially with my loved ones. You would literally have to pry the information from me, but I’ve been working on being more open with my thoughts and feelings..I think for me it’s been about being clear, confident and informed when communicating. I found and still find at times that I get caught up in an idea of ‘the reaction’ I don’t want, or fear, and automatically attributing that idea to one of conflict. With that I’ve been focusing more on the intention rather than the perception.
EQ: How did growing up with your mother in East London shape your influences? How did hearing certain artists make you feel?
J: Mum would play mostly rare grooves and 90’s soul RnB around the house so that’s where my core sound comes from. Growing up in a single parent household, I would get babysat by my uncle, Aunty and Grandma, all of which had similar but different musical tastes and that’s where I found my love for Hip Hop, Soulful House, Jazz, DnB & Reggae.
Photography Credit: Chiara Melchior
“Personally I have been on my own healing journey, and I can say, some scars are still a bit tender, but I’ve come a long way and feel the best within myself than I ever have.”
- JEROME THOMAS
EQ: You’ve spoken before about growing up with a stammer. How might it have had an affect on you and your artistry in a way that people may not expect?
J: It’s hard to say what it has done for my artistry because I started stuttering before I started singing, but I can say it didn’t stop me singing, and having a speech impediment pushed me to tell my stories through literature and song.
EQ: Dead or alive, which artist would you like to reach out to and soak in their wisdom?
J: Marvin Gaye, hands down.
EQ: Your style of music is worthy of healing the soul. Have you been on your own journey of healing?
J: Definitely, by being black alone, it begins to feel like a constant state of hurt and healing, especially with all the tragedies that have occurred and are still occurring, in particular to black people. Personally I have been on my own healing journey, and I can say, some scars are still a bit tender, but I’ve come a long way and feel the best within myself than I ever have.
EQ:.. And how do you find solace?
EQ: What’s the source of your motivation?
J: Talking externally, receiving positive messages from people about my music really fills me with gratitude and helps ignite purpose within why I do music, but when the affirmations of others aren’t available I have a knowing that I have a unique gift and point of view. Also, when I look back on some of the goals I set for myself and look at where I am now, it motivates me to keep pushing, because I have managed to accomplish things a past me could only think of and not quite fathom; and helped me understand that unfathomable doesn’t have to mean impossible.
EQ: .. And who or what inspires you to keep creating?
J: A combination of things, I have a creative circle, @thisisgramn is an amazing singer and one of my closest friends, being able witness her journey of personal and musical growth has been inspiring to say the least. @y.levii my other mother brother has been responsible for all my artwork covers since ‘1989’. @fr1th the first member of my live band @foechestra he’s a crazy talented producer and pianist (self taught by the way). @christophercargill1 who’s been a brother for about 10 years now, he takes most of my pictures. These are just a few of the people in my life that help inspire the drive to keep creating, as well as knowing that there is nothing else that fills me with life like music, singing and creating does.
EQ: What is something you’ve been meaning to say to someone, but haven’t said yet?
J: Yes, but I cant actually materialise the words into cohesive sentences just yet.
EQ: What’s next for you Jerome? Are there any EQUATE exclusives you could let us in on?
J: Well rona said no to all 2020 plans, so all the music you was supposed to get early this year is coming from the 23rd Oct onwards. It’s hard to speak on shows as it pertains to the UK especially when the government is basically telling us to ‘retrain’ but I’m hopeful that soon I’ll be able to perform to crowds again, hopefully in the new year. But new music is on the way. Since last year I’ve been working on a collaborative project, that’s all I’ll say, ain’t having no one come here trying to colonise my ideas, smile and wink.
Stream ‘Right There’ HERE
Keep up with Jerome Thomas on socials
Instagram: @jeromethomasfoe
Twitter: @jeromethomasfoe
Youtube: Jerome Thomas