Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Quinn.
Hi Jamie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Anoka, MN and went to Anoka High School — a school with rich music and arts programs. I was hooked on music early in life largely in part to my grade school music classes. I played cello in the Concert Orchestra at Anoka High School which truly set me up with the ear and the mindset I have today. Shout out to the legend Mike Halstenson – composer, conductor and my orchestra instructor who made such a powerful impact on me.
I’ve been blessed to have incredible musicians support my projects from the beginning. I met my current bass player, Benjamin Kelly, when we were 16. I saw him performing at a Dunn Bros coffee shop. I introduced myself after his show and said “I’m starting a band, do you want to be in my band?”
Ben and I have been performing music together for over 20 years now, and he’s a big reason why I’ve been confident and motivated to continue creating music all these years.
My roommate Colin and I would screw around and jam on our guitars in the basement of our college house. Our neighbors hated us. One day Colin came home and said “Yo I booked us a gig!”
Apparently Colin had been telling everyone he was in an awesome band. In reality it was just me and him, stoned on two electric guitars.
But sure enough Colin had booked a legit gig. I called my old bass player Ben, he brought his buddy Dapper Dan Horvath to play drums, and the first incarnation of Sexy Delicious was born.
I met Sophia Eris and Lizzo in 2012 when we were recording and the second Sexy Delicious record. We played some very rad shows as The Chalice live band, and were lucky enough to have Sophia and Lizzo sing on a couple tracks on our record “Too Hot To Bother” we released in 2013.
After 10 years and the release of 3 albums as Sexy Delicious, I was ready for a pivot in my artistic voice.
The pandemic served as a natural reset for me creatively. I began writing more personal, intimate, sometimes heavy lyrics that called for a personal and creative rebrand.
With a fresh set of moving, catchy tunes, I formed my current band under the name Jamie Quinn.
Jamie Quinn is a 5-piece band of veteran Twin Cities all-star musicians putting their heart and soul into a project I’m so proud to call my own.
Lightning Joe Peterson on keys, Andrew Wozniak on guitar, Ben Kelly on bass and Ben Peterson on drums is a bonafide killer band.
Classic rock, classic country, soul, and R&B inspire the framework for these tunes — the best songs I’ve written to date. And that’s saying something because I’ve written some absolute bangers.
My experience throughout my music career — as a classically trained cellist, band leader, R&B guitarist, and hopelessly romantic songwriter — is the foundation on which this project and these new songs are built.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Self-financing projects has been challenging. I’m never going to stop creating music, but it can be discouraging to put so much time and money into projects that get such little recognition. I’m not doing this for fame, but I could really use a little ROI at some point.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I write songs and play guitar and sing.
I’m most known for my previous band Sexy Delicious.
I’m most proud of the music community I’m part of in Minneapolis.
My original music sets me apart.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think finding a creative partner/confidant/resource is important. I haven’t had what I’d call a mentor throughout my career. But I have relied on, and am so grateful for, the artists in my community that are willing to share ideas and offer me feedback as I create.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bigjamq
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jamieqmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bigjamq
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jamie-quinn-3
- Other: Contact: [email protected]
