Music Video Monday is just between us.
Jesse James Davis is not the editor of the Memphis Flyer. That’s the other Jesse Davis (hi boss!). Jesse James Davis is a singular singer, guitarist, drummer, and all-around musician who has played with the likes of Jack Oblivian, The Sheiks, The Tennessee Screamers, Model Zero, and my own band, 1000 Lights. Yesse Yavis (Bandcamp link) is the name he uses for his solo act, where he dispenses songs that veer from four-on-the-floor garage punk to poppy love songs.
The instrumental tracks that would become the song “Secret Lover” was recorded in 2017, and finished later with the addition of The New Mood Basement Singers. “The whole idea for these Yesse Yavis songs was inspired by Sam Cooke’s Live at Harlem Square Club record,” he said. “The atmosphere on that album is just complete joy, and has the energy of the greatest house party of all time. I wanted to make music that evoked that same energy and took from that well of doo-wop, ’60s ‘girl groups’ like The Shirelles, The Ronettes, or The Shangri-Las, and pure party music of the late ’50s/early ’60s. The lyrics aren’t really important, the sound and the vibe are what’s on display here. It’s just a simple love song about someone sick of being just a secret side piece and wanting to be a full time lover, not a Secret Lover.”
Last year, the pandemic gave Davis a chance to learn video production and create the 40-minute Yesse Yavis Extravaganza Spectacular Record Release Show, a mix of comedy and live performances taped at B-Side in Midtown. I promise you will not be disappointed with either element. Davis also directed and edited “Secret Lover,” so prepare for liftoff — you don’t have to be the side piece no more.
If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
