Interview - jqime

With their latest single “talk to me,” jqime continue to carve out a space that feels less like a statement and more like a suspended moment. The track lives in emotional half-light — where adolescent experience is less about clarity than accumulation, and meaning is often only recognised in hindsight. Built across three shifting perspectives, the song resists linear storytelling in favour of fragmentation, mirroring the miscommunications it quietly circles. We spoke with the band about space, perspective, and what it means to write from within uncertainty.

Welcome to MeloDrift. Can you tell us a little bit about your musical background?

I started making music with my dad back when I was in middle school, producing tracks after school from my bedroom. In early high school I met Hector and Samuel, who I soon invited to record with me, and we now make up the 3 piece band known as jqime.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

Any song from ‘Loveworm’ by Beabadoobee. There’s something so cinematic about this EP and it has soundtracked all my highschool years.

Who or what have been the most impactful influences on your musical style and sound?

I think what makes our sound unique is how all 3 of us come from such different musical backgrounds. Samuel (bassist) is into R&B, funk, and jazz, and he is musically influenced by artists such as Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, and Herbie Hancock. Hector (drummer/producer) enjoys lofi and hyper pop, like City Girl, Magdalena Bay, and Kero Kero Bonito. My personal favourites are Beabadoobee, The 1975, and Clairo. After all those inspirations combined, in terms of style we sit in the indie-pop genre!

How do your life experiences shape your songwriting, and what emotions or ideas do you hope listeners connect with in your music?

My life has always been jam packed with music. Growing up, my dad had a two drum kit practice space in our living room, barely leaving space for anything else! He co-produced my first song, taught me all the instruments I know, and launched me in the right direction to continue by myself. Just before I turned 14, he passed away. Being able to channel his magic through the band's music has been so special for me. Writing gave me a sense of heart in such dark times, and I hope our listeners can connect with our music in a similar way.

Each phase of music-making—writing, recording, rehearsing, and performing—has its own unique rewards. Could you share a memorable moment from each stage?

I remember when we were recording our debut song as a band, ‘supermarket song’, a few months of work and we had gotten to the final stages of production. All the backing vocalists were coming in at 1pm, and at 12:30pm the entire project file corrupted. No explanation and we tried everything to fix it. We reproduced the entire song in a week, and it ended up being better. Our ideas were more refined and polished. In the moment it felt like the world was ending but I’m glad it happened. Also, the first time fans lined up to talk to us after a show might be my favourite memory to date. We got off the stage and there was this queue of the coolest and most creative looking kids ever. That was the most hugs I’ve ever given out. Also I cried on the way home afterwards - what an insane experience.

Is there a song of yours that holds particular personal significance? We’d love to know more about the story or the inspiration behind it.

Our song ‘november’ is very special to us. So special I got it tattooed on the back of my arm! I, Jaime, wrote this song when I was 14 and in the absolute depths of depression (as 14 year olds tend to be) and was just constantly emphasising in the writing how alone I felt. What a turn around it was to be recording this song a few years later with my two best friends. (The band.) We had a blast not only in the studio, but everytime we perform ‘november’ as well, and it almost brings me to tears every show.

If you could swap lives with any musician for a day, who would it be and what would you do?

Oh totally Chappell Roan. I’d kill to know what it feels like to be able to belt those insane notes to crowds of thousands. If I ever woke up as her nobody would hear the end of it - I’d be singing all day, literally.

What’s a guilty pleasure song you secretly love but might surprise your fans?

Taylor Swift's ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version)’ will NEVER not hit. That song could get me through anything!!!!

Looking ahead, what are some goals or dreams you have for your music and career?

For sure putting our music onto any kind of physical media. Samuel and I are crazy for vinyls ESPECIALLY when they have gatefolds and posters. A national tour would be mad too.

Finally, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers before we close?

Our latest single ‘talk to me’ is part of a bigger project we are currently working on. We can’t wait for you to hear it!!

Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

PR: Decent Music PR