Jesse Hooper

It’s the quiet achievers who really make their own place in the world, and Jesse Hooper is one of them, and humble as ever. Past member of Killing Heidi, four time ARIA award winner and accomplished singer/songwriter, we had a chat to Jesse about his newest venture: teaching at Collarts in Melbourne.
Hi Jesse, thanks for taking the time to chat with Forte magazine, how are you and what are you up to at the moment? 
Really well! Very busy teaching at Collarts and working on some new music collaborations.
We understand you’re teaching at Collarts (Music, Audio & Management College), can you give us a run down of the course you’re teaching and what it’s all about? 
Sure thing. I coordinate and teach the songwriting stream and ensemble program as part of the Music Degree taught at Collarts. All our music students participate in the ensemble program, where they work as bands to rehearse and perform repertoire under the guidance of expert musician mentors. Students can also specialise as an instrumentalist, vocalist or songwriter – which is where I teach students who choose songwriting. Collarts recently added Steve Mackey from Twelve Foot Ninja to join the songwriting team, which is helping our students create some killer new original works.
Given you were previously with Killing Heidi, what was the decision behind moving into teaching music after being in a successful band? 
While in Killing Heidi, Ella and I would regularly host music performance and songwriting workshops for schools and aspiring artists. We always loved sharing our knowledge and industry experience, so moving into mentoring and teaching was a natural progression for me. I started running a community arts and music program at The Artful Dodgers Studios in Collingwood where I mentored disadvantaged and marginalised young people, including many refugee and newly-arrived participants. This work was an inspiring way for me to use my music and mentoring skills in a new environment. Now I also bring my experience of being in a critically and commercially successful band to my teaching and course design at Collarts – which I love.
Many bands wouldn’t think of studying music to further their career, how important is it for musicians to study as well? 
It’s vital. The more aware and skilled you are as a musician, the more opportunities you will be able to seize and maximise.
What music projects are you currently working on?
I am currently producing and writing a collaborative track featuring refugee hip hop act FLYBZ, Pataphysics, Ella Hooper, Waleed Aly and Dan Sultan! It’s shaping up to be very exciting and the track is a showcase of multiculturalism.
We saw you recently organised a Collarts singer-songwriter night, are there lots of opportunities like this with Collarts? 
Yes, I am always placing our students into external performance opportunities. I am regularly asked to provide entertainment for community, corporate and festival events, which provides vital performance experience for our students.
What was the decision behind pursuing a solo career as well? 
Well I’m starting my own project later this year, it’s early days but I have some great collaborators lined up so stay tuned!
As you’ve won four ARIA Awards now, is that an added pressure that’s in the back of your mind when you’re creating new music or does it not phase you at all? 
No not really. I have learned that putting commercial expectations into your music can be very stifling to creativity. I am very proud of my past awards and achievements, but I do not want to be one of those old rockers clinging to past glories. I love writing and performing and I hope that when I release more of my own music that it finds a receptive audience. I used to feel like I had to eclipse my past successes with every new work, but now I try to go where inspiration leads.
*If you are interested in studying songwriting or music performance, visit Collarts College (where Jesse Hooper teaches) at their Open Day on Saturday 1st August, 10am till 3pm. Or visit their website for more info collarts.edu.au or send them an email [email protected]