After the rapturous response to his much-loved EP 'The End Of The Highway' in 2022, innovative artist Jeremy Rice has now made his eagerly-awaited return with the swaggering new single 'World War Three'.
Blending dark yet humorous lyrics with a jive-infused 50s groove throughout, 'World War Three' sits as one of his more adventurous outings to date. With a bright and lively energy and jovial atmosphere throughout, he certainly looks to make the end of the world as toe-tapping as possible.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and influences over the years.
What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
I discovered a lot of music driving to school with my mother when I was a kid. I’m reminded of one particular morning back in 1985. I distinctly remember a distant voice on the radio sparsely singing to the crescendo of synth pads. All I could feel was an extreme anticipation for whatever was going to happen next. Then I heard the pads resolve on the minor chord, the rising sawtooth tones and the drum fill, which led to a breakdown, revealing the greatest guitar riff of all time. My little eight-year-old brain exploded right there. That was the first time I had really considered how production and arrangement could turn a song into an experience. It changed the way I thought about music.
The song was Money for Nothing.
The band was Dire Straits.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
Yes, I formed a band with some friends when I was in my teens. It was fun.
We sounded like shit.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
I don’t know that I could name a primary source. Inspiration keeps changing. I just pull from experience and write about how I feel in the moment. It’s interesting to look back over the repertoire for that reason. It reminds me of where I was in life at the time the song was written.
I notice I’ve been writing a lot of love songs recently.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed against any heartbreak songs on the horizon.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
Don’t Stop Believing by Journey.
I would copyright the song and hide it away to keep it from wreaking havoc upon the world.
I’m being a complete hypocrite by the way. The truth is, whenever that song plays at the karaoke bar, I sing along louder than anyone.
I imagine there would be a void in my life if it somehow ceased to exist.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
I can narrow it down to three:
My last show with The Thymes at the Levee, before I moved away to Quebec City. Gene, Leon, Chris, Ryan and I built something pretty special with that band (in that bar), but life has a way of making plans for you sometimes. The show was wonderful goodbye.
The video shoot for Why Do You Lie. This was a one-day shoot with my beloved Takinawa gang: Mathieu, Phil, J.P., Sylvain and Marie-Audrey. We started with brunch and ended with drinks in the studio, singing songs with Sylvain on piano. It was just one of those special moments that stays with you.
The green-screen shoot for the Shake video. That was a major moment for me, though I can’t divulge too much about it right now. The video hasn’t come out yet, but I think viewers will infer its significance when it does.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
I don’t think much about sharing the stage with anyone but these guys:
Phil Bellemare
Sylvain Martel
J.P. Vigneau
Mathieu Voyer
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
That’s a good question. Five years seems like an eternity these days.
How’s this?
I hope to still be alive and living the dream.
Jeremy Rice's new single 'World War Three' is available to stream now. Watch the video for it below.