Jamie Bochert on Finding Herself Through Music And working alongside her idol Patti Smith.
Text: Janelle Okwodu
Photo: Sofia Malamute
In 2004 Jamie Bochert was at the nexus of everything that was cool in fashion: campaigns, covers, and work with industry luminaries—yet at 21, she gave it all up to rediscover herself. Sitting down at the piano for the first time since childhood and putting her feelings to music, Bochert began a journey that would lead her toward creative fulfillment and work alongside her idols. As lead singer of Francis Wolf, she makes lo-fi melodies with earnest, introspective lyrics that stand in opposition to the current preference for soulless pop. Though this top model is once again at the forefront of fashion, music remains Bochert’s defining passion.
With self-penned songs that have impressed everyone from Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon—who cast her in the film Perfect Partner—to rock goddess Patti Smith, Bochert has carved out a new niche for herself. Far from the stereotype of model-multi-hyphenate, Bochert has become a respected singer-songwriter with a knack for creating hypnotic tunes. Still, she remains nonchalant about her success. For Bochert, music isn’t a career path, it’s simply the ultimate outlet for her emotions.
Was music always a part of your life?
I haven’t always played. I started really getting into it in 2004—that’s when I really devoted time to it. When I was 8 years old, my neighbors had a piano and I would go over to their house to play it. That was the first time that I remember feeling a burning desire to do anything. I felt the escape when I was able to play, but I didn’t have a piano, I didn’t have any instruments in my house, so I relied on other people.
What made you reconnect with music later in life?
I felt a bit lost, like I needed to express myself. I was a dancer, and that was something that helped me my whole life. Having that outlet to express myself got me through a lot, to be able to lose myself in something. When I started playing music again, something happened and I felt like it was something that I needed. I started playing guitar [in addition to piano] and I had that feeling again like when I was 8 and I just went with it. I’m really happy about it because it helps a lot.
Do you find songwriting provides that kind of release as well?
When I finish writing a poem or a song and I have that sense of accomplishment, it just makes me happy. I feel like, Wow, I’ve done something. It makes me feel like I’m worth something—that may sound silly.
It makes sense. The creative process does that for people.
I find it fulfills my self-worth and really helps my self-esteem, which is something that I’ve had to work on in my life.
Do you find there’s a difference between your onstage persona and the way you are day to day?
Not really. I think it’s all the same. I don’t find anything different whether I’m performing or walking down the street or sitting at my desk and writing. I’m the same person. I don’t put on an act or anything.
What’s the process for crafting a Francis Wolf song?
When I’m writing, it’s usually I’ll be there playing guitar or piano or harmonium—whatever instrument I’m gravitating toward in the moment. I’ll play a melody, and if it sounds good, I’ll record it and sing a melody over it, then write the lyrics. That’s usually how it works with me—I’m just sitting with my guitar and I’ll take my phone and record it. That way, I have it as a reference and I build on that. I always write the lyrics after, but sometimes recently I’ve had some luck, and when I record in the moment, some good things come out. I like when that happens because it feels really organic.
Which musicians influenced you?
Everyone that I’ve heard. I grew up listening to a lot of classical music from dancing ballet. My music taste now is somewhat different from what I listened to growing up, but there are some constants. As a kid I loved Nina Simone, who I still love now—I always gravitated toward the blues. I went through a moment where I loved Michael Jackson. My father listened to doo-wop, and I remember sitting in my living room when I was 4 or 5, playing with my Barbies, listening to doo-wop on my father’s 8-tracks. I went through my phase of The Cure, Bauhaus, Nine Inch Nails; my hip-hop phase with Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and I loved all that. I love Chet Baker, Jimi Hendrix. I went to Morocco to learn about Gnawa music. Jimi Hendrix was a big fan of Gnawa and went to Morocco, where he wrote “Castles in the Sand.” I went there because I wanted to explore the music scene in Essaouira, and it is incredible!
Then there’s Neil Young, Spiritualized, and Nick Cave, and my ultimate favorite, PJ Harvey. She’s simply the best.
Have you ever met PJ?
I have had a couple of opportunities, but it’s never happened. I always get a little wary of meeting people I admire.
Now you’ve performed with Patti Smith, who is also a legend. What was that experience like?
Terrifying. Besides terrifying and nerve-racking, it was incredible. She’s incredible. What a woman! She’s another one I was terrified to meet but I’m so happy that I did because she’s just one of a kind. There are no words to describe, but it was an experience that I’ll never forget.
Is getting in front of an audience something you feel comes naturally?
Not at all. Every time before I perform, I feel like I’m going to faint or throw up, and then when I start, I’m fine. It’s just those initial feelings of nervousness.
What are you currently listening to?
A new band that I like is Wild Daughter. I met the singer, James Jeanette, at a party in London and fell in love with him. Then he asked me to be in his video alongside Bobby Gillespie directed by John Maybury.
You spoke earlier about losing yourself in dance. Do you still dance, or has making music taken precedence?
I don’t dance now because I just don’t have the time. I would—I love it—but unfortunately I haven’t in a while. I need to get back into it. I haven’t really had that much time to do some things that I love, but my knee is a little screwed up, so I’m not sure how that would go over.
For those who haven’t heard you play, how would you describe your sound?
That’s such a hard question. There are textures—some songs are piano-driven, some songs have 30 guitars. The sound is more lo-fi; it isn’t poppy or overproduced.
Visually your band has an incredible aesthetic, from the pictures on your official Instagram to the videos. How involved are you in that side of the process?
Anything that I put out, I’m going to be involved in the visuals as much as possible. I’ve always been a visual person.
Are there elements of the music business you don’t enjoy?
I don’t really think about the business aspect. I do wish that the music industry exposed more artists that take chances, but I think it’s kind of always been like that. Personally, I don’t really think about business—should I?
Nah, there are enough musicians who are too concerned about the business side.
True!
