JJ Sweetheart Premieres His New EP, ‘Big Things’

Big things aren’t coming; big things are already here, thanks to JJ Sweetheart. The singer-songwriter today debuts his brand new Valentine’s Day-themed EP, Big Things. You might have already caught the EP’s single “Cinnamom,” which sets the tone for the record with its poppy influences. The solo project of musician Jay Simonson, the EP, was written during an interesting time in his life. It was perhaps the freest time he had ever had, spending nearly four months out on the road. But not on tour, literally just him out there against the elements on an over 100-day solo hike through the Arizona desert. He travelled roughly 1,000 miles all by himself. It was just him and his thoughts, and it turned out to be a fruitful breeding ground for creativity.

Discussing the recording and significance of the new record, JJ Sweetheart comments:

“Big Things has been my most meaningful release in my 15-year music career. It is meant to be lo-fi and intimate because what I experienced through the last year writing this record was very raw. Aside from the single ‘Cinnamom,’ which was produced by Coleman Trapp of Coast Modern, and the vocals recorded by Chris Heidman of Sukpatch, and Max from Hifi Project, every track was recorded using the microphone on an iPhone 13 and mixed on the free app Bandlab. It was a lot of hard work to get vocals that I sang into my phone in the desert to bleed in the track right. But the reason I say it is my most meaningful release is because every song has a story and every story happened in the last year and truly changed me as an individual.

He goes on to add that:

“‘Cinnamom’ was written in honour of a cinnamon-coloured mama opossum that I met at my job when I was a wildlife rehabber. That job burned me out and I lost my mind from compassion fatigue so I manically bought tickets from Minnesota to Arizona and threw myself into the desolate desert. I walked over 1,000 miles solo hiking and soul searching. It was the most impactful decision I have made in my 35 years of life.

“Before that event, I was barely writing, very depressed, and having constant panic attacks. Not a vibe to be honest. But at the end, I had written a handful of songs, three of which I recorded the vocals for at night in my tent, with screaming coyotes in the background. There was something so powerful about seeing the sunset and sunrise every day and going to sleep and waking up at those exact moments. I was just living to get from point A to point B. It brought back a really childlike feeling where I would go weeks without seeing a single person and I would swordfight cactuses in the woods with my walking stick.”

He continues,

“All that time in my head I started dissecting what was making me so miserable back home and it was not having the energy to create music. I had not released a song in four years and was barely writing. The whole hike took nearly four months and when I got back I wanted a fifth song for my EP. So to bring it full circle I remixed the first song I ever wrote ‘Heart Medal’ which was nearly 15 years ago. I did that as a promise that if I ever start feeling so mentally drained or lost to just throw myself into the woods again and survive. I want to walk the Appalachian trail next so I can get enough material for a full length.

“But Big Things will always be a reminder to myself of what I am capable of, what I have been through, and how much I love writing trashy YEARNPOP. Also love you ‘Cinnamom’ you are such a sweet angel. Sorry, we couldn’t fix you. But you helped fix me.”

JJ Sweetheart is formerly a member of Howler, who were signed to Rough Trade Records. He is also the frontman of France Camp. Big Things will be officially released on Valentine’s Day, which hints at its influences and inspirations. Simonson chose Valentine’s Day because the EP features plenty of romantic lo-fi dreampop. It works well for the lovey-dovey crowd with its free-spiritedness. Encouraged by the results of writing while out on the trail, he plans to hit the Appalachian trail to see where it gets him. Creativity can come in the most unusual or scattered ways. JJ Sweetheart has discovered his niche, and he’ll happily continue on down wherever the trail takes him.

JJ Sweetheart ‘Big Things’ EP album artwork