Jesse Gimbel

After spending four years working on other people’s music, Philadelphia’s Jesse Gimbel (you might know him from his Basement project) has returned to his own material with Decathect, set for release this fall via Wissahickon Records. Leading up to the release, we have the premiere of Gimbel’s video for emotional new single “Don’t Get Comfortable” below.

Filmed in Wissahickon Park at dusk and inside a Southwest Philadelphia apartment at dawn, the video shows the reflective calm after the end of a fast-paced relationship. From Gimbel:

Essentially the song is about misaligned expectations in new, especially sudden relationships. I want this, you want that, none of it is ever said flat out. Belated honesty ends up breaking hearts and destroying egos. The video is an abstract version of the aftermath of these situations, being haunted by those destroyed expectations.

The song itself captures the numbness and “what just happened” feeling that can be present after such an experience. It’s dark and cavernous with ambient guitars that ring out, untethered, while Gimbel’s lyrics draw you in with vulnerability. Watch the video below and get a free download of “Don’t Get Comfortable” here. - XPN/The Key

Jesse Gimbel is a multi-instrumentalist and the owner of Jesse Gimbel’s Basement recording studio located in the Philadelphia area. From the performance of guitar, bass, drums, and piano to expertise in each step of the recording process, Jesse is self-taught and knows all aspects of what it takes to make a great record.

Jesse’s current job role as an audio engineer in his recording studio led to more producing decisions than solely engineering, which is exemplified in his latest album. Jesse worked on his latest album in between recording and jobs for his different notable clients. While balancing recording records, filming studio sessions, and a love for photography, Jesse was able to take the time to create the album he wanted, down to the last note. In his work, you can hear the heart and thought that went into every note. Jesse has also recorded himself preforming covers and originals in studio sessions that has gained him a strong following on Youtube, as well as other social networks.

Jesse has proved himself a strong talent through his mastering of multiple instruments, recording skills, Youtube sessions, and promotion of not just himself, but other upcoming artists in the underground philly music scene.

Jesse’s first album ‘City Shade/Country Sun’ was self released in July of 2010 can can be download for free at (http://jessegimbel.bandcamp.com/). - Infectious Magazine

Jesse Gimbel is a indie rocker based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where his studio “is the real deal” – his parent’s basement. He is a multi-talented, self-declared audio nerd and has worked with many musicians on projects of their own.

Recently, he released his single, “Don’t Get Comfortable.” The single comes off of Gimbel’s first solo album from Wissahickon Records and is definitely a must hear for any true music geek. The song has the soft and longing vocals of an indie but still embraces the instrumentals of rock. “Don’t Get Comfortable” follows the vulnerability one feels from the end of a relationship, and the video follows that same theme.

With the amazing cinematography, the video portrays the lingering thought of lost love through the symbol of a growing white dot throughout the video. Add the guitar solo to that, and you easily have yourselves a new favorite song.

Outside of his own music, Gimbel is a producer, graphic designer, and a photographer. He has been featured in other artists’ music prior to his venture into the solo world. His upcoming album, “Decathect”, is to be released sometime this fall. You can download “Don’t Get Comfortable” here. - Vinyl Magazine

If a song begins with “girl”, you likely know what you’re in for: a schmaltzy, cliché-ridden track that may woefully remind you of your high school ex who recently blocked you on Instagram. Jesse Gimbel’s single “When the Cold Night Ends” is this very track, and unapologetically so. The song boasts classic indie-rock sensibilities, with a healthy serving of pop influence and ultra-polished production. Gimbel’s high-register vocals bounce over glimmering guitar, a sound that can best be described as the the quintessential style of mainstream 00s alt-pop-rock.

While Gimbel may not be breaking any new ground with lyrics like “Girl, I want you but I don’t want you here in the morning/ Girl / I want you but I don’t see this as a sure thing”, it’s a sentiment that transcends redundancy. “When the Cold Night Ends” is almost like seeing a community theater production of Hamlet– you’ve heard it all before, but the message is not unwelcome. This matter is aided by the fact that the song itself sounds great, with Gimbel himself at the helm of engineering. Despite its triteness of its lyrics, “When the Cold Night Ends” is a catchy alt-pop song that will likely worm its way into you ear whether you like it or not.

Pros:
- Highly listenable
- Solid, clean production value

Cons:
- Overall a tad unoriginal and uninspired - Reflective Surface Magazine