Stereo Embers The Podcast 0169: Jessie Wagner (Lenny Kravitz, Duran Duran, Chic)

“What You Get Is What You See”

Jessie Wagner has seen a lot. As a touring vocalist with Duran Duran, Little Steven and Lenny Kravitz, the Virginia native has not only seen the world several times over, she’s seen how pros like the aforementioned artists run their businesses, handle their affairs and keep their careers on track. Now commandeering her own solo career, Wagner made the decision to employ what she learned all those years on tour. On her debut album Shoes Droppin’, the charismatic singer checks in with an album of spunky soul, groovy R&B and stirring roots music. Falling somewhere between the work of Roberta Flack and Fleetwood Mac, Wagner’s album is refreshing, stirring and rousing. In this conversation she talks to Alex about finding her voice in college at a pageant, missing her best friend’s wedding to play a gig with Kravitz and how a post-college pharmacy career was not the career she really wanted. Candid, open and honest, Wagner speaks about the tricky art of putting out an album during Covid, how much she misses the stage and the sacrifices we make for our art.