dress, gloves + fur cuffs. Miscreants London
shoes. Stylist’s own
Jesse Jo Stark is in a league of her own. Since her musical debut in 2014 with her EP Down Your Drain, the 28-year-old indie alt-rock singer and songwriter has been making waves with her unapologetic stance, femme fatale style, and captivating music.
Born, raised and bred in Los Angeles, it’s easy to assume the city of Angels would be of great influence to the starlet — be it musically or personally — but Stark is quick to admit “sometimes it doesn’t.” “I feel distracted here,” she explains. “I always love to write about the coast and the beach because I grew up here. [But] I dunno. I’m craving something.”
Growing up, Stark was immersed in a circle most mortals could only dream of — Cher is her godmother, her debut EP was produced by Sex Pistols’ guitarist Steve Jones, and her BFF since childhood is none other than top model Bella Hadid. But it’s undoubtedly her parents — Richard and Laurie Lynn Stark, the masterminds and founders behind legendary L.A. rocker label Chrome Hearts — that have left the biggest mark on Stark. “I love how they interpreted both [fashion and music],” Stark tells of her parents’ influence on her growing up. “It’s was always a freeing environment. No trends. Just them. You don’t have to love what yer parents love, but I always did, and still do.”
corset. Agent provocateur
tights. Wool Ford
jacket. Chrome Hearts
lingerie. Agent provocateur
Her parents’ passion and work ethic have definitely permeated Stark, who know exudes a radiance of her own. Having discovered rock at an early age in her “daddy’s truck,” it was at 13 that she actually decided to get on stage and start performing music herself. Now a decade and a half later, she’s louder than ever.
Earlier this summer, Stark released your new single, Lady Bird, a soft-spoken, piano-led ballad about a toxic relationship. The inspiration behind it is as clear as you’d expect to come from Stark. “It’s about one windy road that never seemed to end,” Stark bemuses about her latest track. “I tried to get further and further away from my pain but it haunted me. Love is cruel. But it gives you godly words.”
With lyrics like ‘Mouth full of stones, sealed with a kiss / Drowning in blood, but whose blood is it?’ and ‘We’re too big for love / I love you to feel better, but now I feel worse’ — there’s no doubt Stark’s words are godly; if also harrowing. Lady Bird’s leisured melody and honey vocals transport us to California’s Pacific Coast Highway with heartbreak as the main vehicle — with the golden candour only a true Angeleno could bestow. When asked if the track will be part of a bigger project, Stark replies succinctly: “always.”
dress. Thierry Mugler
gloves. Miscreants
The next project, when it arrives, would be Stark’s fourth EP — after 2014’s Down Your Drain, and 2018’s Wish I Was Dead and Dandelion. But don’t expect it to pick up from her previous offerings sonically, lyrically, or otherwise. “I’m not sure [Lady Bird picks up from Dandelion]. I always put out what I like. And that’s it.”
With such a varied repertoire, inspirations come can come from anywhere for Stark. At the moment, her main are “cowboy hats, Kris Kristofferson, long pink nails, and hands” — which, somehow, make perfect sense for her self-described “horrific hillbilly” sound and “comfy deadly lady” style.
For the better part of 2019, Stark has been touring with the likes The Vaccines, Sunflower Bean and The Heavy, and though she looks forward to taking her own music on the road on a headlining tour — “I hope to headline in my life,” the chanteuse admits — for now, she’s ready to “take on whatever adventure comes.” And there have been plenty over the years. In 2017, she opened for iconic band Guns N’ Roses, something she can only describe as “a rock ‘n’ roll dream and scary as hell.”
corset. Agent provocateur
tights. Wool Ford
If you hadn’t already gathered, pretty much since her first breath, rock has been a great part of Stark’s life. Often labelled as “rock ’n’ roll royalty” — something she simply concedes it’s “funny” — it’s a matter that’s close to her heart; so weighting in on its current perhaps watered-down state is almost a birthright.
“Rock isn’t rock anymore,” Stark roundly and ardently proclaims. “If we could just give it a new title, move on, and let the legends be legends, I’m good. It isn’t dead. It’s taking on a new form. The thing that upsets me is everyone is so afraid to feel pissed off. Everyone wants cookie-cutter beats. rock ’n’ roll was sexy and angry. That’s what we’re missing. Rock needs a new name. Rock Pop? Rock Top 40? People throwing cake? That isn’t rock ’n’ roll.”
Rock may be in need of a rebrand but Stark knows exactly what she wants and her future is looking bright. For 2020, she is looking forward to “festivals, an album I’m proud of and family.”
dress + hat. Pipenco
headpiece + necklace. Talent’s own
rings. Jovana Djuric
In the 25 years since Erykah Badu’s sophomore album ‘Mama’s Gun’, the multi-hyphenate artist has achieved a rare but sweet taste of timelessness. The album brought an innovative zest to neo-soul that continues to bridge generations. Badu says she never doubted its potential. “You don’t have to be some special, brilliant person. You just have to be willing to do it and explore,” she says over a Zoom call for her Schön! 49digital cover story. “The role of an artist is to immerse themselves in the process because the thing itself is actually not the art. The art is the doing: it’s the taking part and the figuring it out.”
Fresh off a landmark year that’s seen them sell out tours across the UK and Europe and a debut appearance at Glastonbury, Belfast post-punk/electronic innovators Chalk step into their next chapter. The duo — Ross Cullen and Benedict Goddard — just wrapped their first headline tour across North America, hitting cities like Vancouver, Los Angeles, and New York. It’s a far cry from rural Ireland and industrial East Belfast, where they recorded Chalk’s recent work. They’ve quickly become known for vivid, atmospheric soundscapes — a style that’s earned them nods from Fontaines D.C., IDLES, and Sprints, who invited the band to share stages across the past year.
The pair pause to look inward for Schön!’s curated series, mapping out the tracks that have shaped their creative instincts, emotional world, and sonic identity.
Hey, what are you up to right now?
We’re currently touring America for the first time and have a few days off in LA.
If someone asked you what your origin story was, how would you describe it?
Went to film school, didn’t work out, started playing music.
Describe your style in 3 words.
Always wear black.
What is the most precious thing in your wardrobe?
New Balance.
Which living person do you most admire?
Ethan Hawke.
What was the last book you read?
The Wager by David Grann.
If you could play any venue, which one would it be?
Whisky A Go Go.
Where are you happiest?
On the couch with my fiancé watching an old movie.
Ideal 3-course meal?
Caesar salad, pizza, cheesecake.
Who would play you in the story of your life?
We haven’t found him yet.
What’s one song that you’d like to listen to for the first time again?
“Heroin” – Velvet Underground.
An underrated song/artist you love?
“Under the Concrete” – Joshua Burnside.
The track that describes your coming-of-age story?
“Shaking Hand” – Women.
An album that you’d put in a time capsule?
“Holding Hands with Jamie” – Gilla Band.
A lyric that you love and the song it’s from?
“Don’t confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them” – from “These Days” – Nico.
dress + gloves. Nana Jacqueline
scarf. Tia Adeola
earrings. Nickho Rey
One day, you’re a student in a prestigious acting studio. The other, you’re scolding Billy Bob Thornton on the set of a popular-to-be TV show. Paulina Chávez has been a part of this industry for years, but getting a role in ‘Landman’ was a milestone for her. As she admits, without any hesitation, she was “absolutely ready” for such a turn of events.
“My character, Ariana, is so different from me, yet there are many similarities. To be so young and be able to play someone as Ariana is a dream for an actress.” Even during her early days, while Chávez was just learning how to act, one of the characters she played was a woman interrogating a man. “She ends up castrating him, so when I read the script for ‘Landman’ for the first time, I immediately knew this was something for me!” the show’s star laughs.
In the modern film industry, there are two types of actors: those who are late and those who are not. Born in El Paso, Texas, the 23-year-old actress falls into the second category, as she joins our Zoom meeting right on time, despite a packed schedule. The second season of Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Landman’ has just premiered, and Chávez is right in the middle of her press tour. Everyone keeps talking about the show. And, it’s barely a surprise – it got bolder, funnier and more intense, even if it remains one huge chaotic ride, full of its ironic humour, old-fashioned jokes and a lot of grotesque elements that carry through the episodes.
In ‘Landman’, Ariana’s husband dies when an oil pump blows up during one of his gigs. Suddenly, her life undergoes drastic changes within a span of a second. I tell Chávez that the same can be said about her, even if we are speaking of two different circumstances. Yet, the show still gave her traction, and it is one of the reasons we meet today. The actress admits that she thought about such parallels while filming the show, especially during the second season. “We’re going to see even more changes affecting Ariana’s life.”
fur jacket. Meruert Tolegen
skirt. Contessa Mills
earrings. 8 Other Reasons
opposite
top + skirt. Tia Adeola
heels. Roger Vivier
earrings. Retro Chic
necklace + belt. Streets Ahead
bracelet. Tarina Tarantino
Grieving leads us to strange places – after losing her husband in season one, Ariana regains her strength by finding some emotional support in Cooper (Jacob Lofland). I’m curious if Chávez remembers where grieving has led her in her life – after our interview, I’ll realise it was a question asked rather too soon. But, it gives us a new sort of dynamic as she opens up about the death of an important relative.
“I remember when I booked my first show for Netflix, and I was so excited about this opportunity. However, a week before I started working on this show, I had learned that my grandma had passed away.” She admits it was a huge blow for her. “The happiness and joy are mixed with the feeling of being depressed – I realised that my grandma would never be able to watch the final product. Life is so unpredictable and nobody knows how to navigate grief.”
Inevitably, by waking up every day, Chávez had to learn how to do it. “I’m a person who feels everything,” she confesses. “I can’t watch devastating movies, as I always put myself in all those situations.” While playing Ariana, she was terrified that someone close to her might suddenly die. “All of it was really draining, especially when you filter your characters’ experiences through your own story. So, I often relied on my breathing exercises, which allowed me to leave Ariana behind.”
She emphasises how vital it is for actors to practice self-care after intense scenes. “Whenever I finish a demanding shooting day, I go back home, take a bath and listen to a good album.” For Ariana, Chávez had a dedicated playlist. While working on the first season, she listened to Raye’s ‘My 21st Century Blues’ (“I still come back to it quite religiously!”). Meanwhile, the second season guided her into different musical territories. As Ariana, she put Bad Bunny’s latest album, ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’, on her headphones.
dress shirt. Contessa Mills
boots. Dolce & Gabbana
belt (used as necklace). B-low
socks. Dolce & Gabbana
Grieving has enabled Chávez to form a personal connection with her character. “I’m not a widow,” she says, “but I could understand her more. I also remember when I was five, and my aunt lost her husband. Even as a child, I witnessed the entire process and could see her own process for grieving. It’s difficult to recover from this.” I notice how the actress is – quite evidently – clasping her hands. She’s generally relaxed, but also slightly hesitant, as the old wounds are being opened. But, maybe this is what you need from a stranger interviewing you on Zoom – a brief moment to be able to tell the truth and only the truth.
Oscar Isaac once said that “being a thespian requires you to be fully confident about what you’re doing.” But – as he argued – actors are “full of uncertainties.” Seemingly, after hearing this quote, Chávez agrees with the ‘Frankenstein’ actor. So, how does she work on her own self-assurance both as an actress and a woman in the film industry? The actress once again clasps her hands, as she needs a moment to think about it. “I’m often scared of forgetting lines on set,” she admits. “I always try to be as open as possible, to know everything about my character. And, I try to have a good relationship with the creatives, so we’re on the same page.”
One of the scenes she mentions is a dinner sequence from the first season, when things get intense between Ariana and Tommy, Billy Bob Thornton’s character. “You always need to trust other people on set. Obviously, they want the project to succeed and will do everything to make it work. They will try to guide you, so it’s all about trust,” she explains. Chávez reveals that Sheridan wanted to be delicate in telling Ariana’s storyline because it’s “so easy to judge her.” “She falls in love while grieving! Yet, it’s life – you never know when a certain tenderness is going to hit you.”
dress + gloves. Nana Jacqueline
heels. Rene Caovilla
scarf. Tia Adeola
earrings. Nickho Rey
opposite
jacket. Baum und Pfergarten
dress. Contessa Mills
heels. Roger Vivier
earrings. Miansai
necklace. Brosway
gloves. Branden Ruiz
belt. Streets Ahead
When it comes to navigating her personal life in modern Hollywood, it’s more about “trusting yourself” and always being ready for the most unexpected. Chávez calls herself a person who “overthinks everything” and “overprepares.” But, as she states, it gives her a dose of confidence to go on a set and be ready for every kind of scenario. This way, as she assures me, she’s got “Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C.” Chávez probably has even more plans for every role – she stops counting for the sake of brevity, but I’m certain she could just go on.
Ariana is also a powerful Latina force of nature, and her roots play a part in the way she handles her grief. “But, it’s not only that,” the actress says. “It’s a portrayal of people I know. Whenever I had scenes where I needed Ariana to express herself, even through shouting, I still reflected on all those experiences from my past.” Chávez also believes that Mexicans grieve differently from Americans. “It’s all about community and it gets Ariana through everything. Their love language is food. Feeding someone means actually loving someone.”
Season two depicts another stage of Ariana’s internal suffering. “She will have to accept her new reality and learn how to live in it again. She’s acknowledging the fact that her first love is gone, and now it’s time to move on, while treasuring all the memories.” Chávez feels that everyone has their own way of coping with the loss, and it’s rarely discussed in public. “I’m not viewed as fully American or Mexican, so I guess there’s some mixture of those two worlds in both me and my acting. I think we are all expected to get over our inner sadness. I suppose I was expected to let my grief go away after the death of my grandma. Though it always stays with us. I also remember my parents crying for the first time. If they find it difficult, then how am I supposed to go through all of it?”
When Ariana’s grief passes, at least for a while, there is still motherhood that needs to be handled. During our conversation, I mention Uta Hagen, a highly influential acting teacher, who once wrote that one needs to create their character by drawing on some personal experiences. Hagen’s approach is being echoed, as Chávez remembers how “crazy” it was for her to become an on-screen mother at the age of 22. Five months before she auditioned, her sister gave birth to her first child. The actress went to Colorado with her mother to help the family with a newborn. “It’s so much work! I have no idea how two people do it, let alone a single parent like Ariana.”
top + skirt. Tia Adeola
heels. Roger Vivier
earrings. Retro Chic
necklace + belt. Streets Ahead
bracelet. Tarina Tarantino
In Colorado, she was on nightshifts with her nephew, which enabled her to understand every little challenge related to motherhood. “It was everything, from changing the diapers to helping with feeding the baby,” Chávez recalls. In a way, becoming Ariana allowed her to reflect on her sister’s recent experience, although she still wasn’t prepared for every little obstacle. “I also learned that depicting breastfeeding on screen isn’t a piece of cake. I worked with a pillow, and even if I was holding it correctly, it all comes down to a camera angle. My intimacy coordinator gave a lot of cues on how to imitate breastfeeding as Ariana properly.”
There’s some hidden beauty in this on-screen process despite the entire tragedy her character is going through. At some point, Ariana says to Cooper, “I feel happy and I shouldn’t,” and it’s a moment to reflect on – for both characters and the spectator. I ask Chávez if she also remembers the last time she felt happy when she shouldn’t have – and it all goes back to her late grandma, who, at this point, feels like someone more than just an important family figure. “When I was doing the press tour in the US, I wanted to share it all with her or the person I just broke up with,” ‘Landman’’s star admits.
Chávez doesn’t have to be on a film set to think about Ariana. “I see her as a family member. I’ve lived with her character for so many months, so she’s always there, right beside me.” ‘Landman’ has just been renewed for its third season, but will it be difficult to let Ariana go once it eventually ends its run? “I remember when Friends finished. I already know it’s gonna be heartbreaking. But, Ariana’s living within me.” She smiles. “And I think she is never gonna go anywhere.”
