Jesse R. Berlin
The present future’s new lounge dilettante-derelict Jesse R. Berlin; photographed by Bryan Bruchman.
Last year we helped introduce you to NYC’s art pop enigma/wonder/whimsical freak of the industry Jesse R. Berlin who wooed us with the album Glitter Lung, and joined us for an around entertaining discussion when we debuted “Tallulah”, who joins us yet again today for another exciting interview session and the world premiere for “I’ve Really Never Been Prepared For You”. Announcing a co-headlining tour with fellow pop luminary Wolkoff—ready or not, the world is about to be know two of NYC’s own stars of the creative cults.
The video for Jesse R. Berlin’s “I’ve Really Never Been Prepared For You” begins with the glimmer of city lights shining forth from the enveloping shrouded veil of the night’s blanketing black-out curtains. Bruchman’s visuals cast various personalities to lip-sync to Jesse’s romantic song about being caught off guard by someone truly special. With all featured individuals dressed in the suave pink leisure suit worn by the great Berlin himself, we then are following the elusive man of mystery until the video abruptly ends in some kind of basement-bondage shenanigans. Read our following latest wild interview romp with none other than Jesse R. Berlin.
Describe for us the Jesse R. Berlin world post-Glitter Lung.
I wrapped up my first batch of touring behind the album in mid-December with this big show at Lincoln Center—that’s right, the Lincoln Center, thank you very much—and by the time that was over, I was so physically and emotionally depleted that I just thought, you know, what the fuck, I’ve earned it, I’m gonna take a little vacation. Vegas is my old stomping ground—my ex-wife Misty and I worked the lounge at the Tropicana for, damn, it must have been eight years? And I still have a lot of friends there, so why not pop my head in? So, look, my heart was in the right place. I really can’t stress that enough.
I checked into my room at the Trop—which you would NOT recognize anymore—fucking full color TVs and fully stocked minibar in every room—grabbed a quick nosh at the Luxor T&T (stands for “tacos and tequila,” if you didn’t know), and then fast forward to right this very second, I literally just got home, I’m still wearing the same clothes I left in, there’s a crust of dry blood on my shoes, and I’ve got all these emails from my bank about something called “identity theft” which I’ve never heard of before but supposedly I did—let me tell you, that sounds like a scam. Who do these Wall Street fat cats think they are? You can not—I repeat, can not, no way Jose—pull that kind of shit on me and get away with it.
How were your holidays?
Like I was saying, it’s really all a blur. Katinka, she’s another one of my exes, she’s one of the acrobats over at Circus Circus, and we’re still essentially on speaking terms. She and her husband Phil, he runs the karaoke night at Vince Neil’s Tatuado Eat Drink Party Restaurant, real stand up guy, anyways they had me over for New Year’s because she “felt bad for me,” whatever that means. But it was nice, we all got blitzed on Moscato and watched “Contact.” That Jodie Foster, man, such a rare talent. Anyway, they called the cops because apparently I set “fire” to “their” house.
How has the new year treated you so far?
I think it was mostly okay? Phil did mention that there might be some sort of legal action forthcoming, but I’m not really sweating it, though. I mean, not to brag, but if bribing judges was tae kwon do I would have a black belt senior in that shit.
But there’s some exciting stuff coming up, you know. A cool tour, and I’m working on another record. Just to make sure we have this firmly established—once I actually get to work. I am seriously the goddamn best at what I do.
What else are you looking forward to in 2016?
I just right now got a text message from Geoff, he’s my shaman but he also runs this underground Russian Roulette syndicate, apparently he’s throwing a party tonight where he’s gonna randomly put bullets in this big pile of guns and then everyone’s gonna drink mushroom tea and just see where the night takes us. So, that sounds pretty promising.
Give us the scoop on what the making of the Bryan Bruchman video for “I’ve Really Never Been Prepared For You” with the narrative of the all the various screen tests of folks lip-syncing your song.
Are you seriously telling me there are other fucking people in this video? What the fuck is that shit?
You know, I actually haven’t watched the thing, because he largely made it while I was getting that me time down in Vegas, but now I’m really wishing I had paid closer attention. Well, regardless, I think if you watch it, it’ll be clear who the real rock and roll superstar is. All I can say is that their compensation better not have come out of my budget.
Can you describe for us just what in the hell is happening at the end, and how you feel the video compliments the various intentions and meanings of the song.
Again, I haven’t seen the thing and so I have no clue what you’re referring to. Bryan’s pitch to me was Do you want your own “Black or White”? and naturally I said yes. But I am realizing now that I was actually thinking of “Remember the Time.” Does “Black or White” even have a video? Is that the one with the Elephant Man?
Alright, the rest of the world wants to know so I’m gonna pop the big questions; give us everything we need to know about the anticipated follow-up to Glitter Lung.
It is going to be called The Bitter Tears of Jesse R. Berlin. It’s maybe, I dunno, 60% done? The four albums I’m really looking to as references this time around are Born in the USA, Songs in the Key of Life, Armed Forces, and Odelay, but, you know, succeeding where those all kinda failed. I fully expect it to go double platinum.
What are you looking forward to with your upcoming tour with Wolkoff?
Part of me wants to say the money, but in my heart of hearts I know the real answer is the universal acclaim.
Best regards to you and yours, thanks for your talents and time always, Mr. Berlin.
Look at the manners on this kid! So gracious. But never forget that this business is as cutthroat as it gets, and if someone’s being this nice it’s probably because they’re about to stab you in the back. So I’ll cautiously say “it was a pleasure,” but with the added caveat that you should maybe sleep with one eye open for a little while because if it’s going to be one of us, it’s gonna be you buddy-o.
Jesse R. Berlin’s Glitter Lung is available now.
