Jessie Malakouti is ready to push some buttons.

Upon introduction, her disarming smile and runway-ready blonde beauty might inspire you to quickly peg her as the latest addition to pop music’s growing army of disco dolls. But you would be wrong. Jessie is far more than merely meets the eye. As the voice and creative mastermind behind Jessie and the Toy Boys, she reveals herself to be a clever, driven young woman on a mission.

“I don’t mind that people approach me with one attitude and leave with another,” Jessie says. “I like having the power to play with stereotypes… and then shatter them. It’s fun and gratifying.”

First and foremost, Jessie smashes preconceived notions by being the primary architect of her band’s sound. This girl can write. Every note of every song is the result of a self-imposed musical boot-camp that saw the artist immerse — and isolate — herself in the European club underground.

“I’d been in a band that left me feeling like I needed to break out of my comfort zone and gather new perspective and experience,” she says. “So, I went to the U.K., which is where a lot of important and trend-setting music is made. I went alone. I needed to live by my musical wits and instincts for a while, and see where it took me.”

It was a brave move that tested Jessie’s determination. “I won’t deny that those first few days were difficult,” she recalls. “It’s challenging to be that far from the places and people who feel familiar and safe. I even contemplated giving up and going home at one point. But that feeling didn’t last very long. The intention behind going abroad was to grow, and to learn more about who I am as a person and as an artist. You can’t achieve that without a little pain, so I toughed it out.”

The result of Jessie’s determination is a sound that brings listeners to the next sonic dimension of electronic-rooted pop music. The first single, “Push It” (featuring a playful rap interlude by Yelawolf), combines an urgent club bassline with vibrant, sixties-spiked girl-group colors. Jessie’s vocal, by turns, has sex-kitten and brash, rock-diva qualities.

“A great song, to me, is one that sticks to your brain long after you’ve heard it for the first time,” Jessie says. “What I’m trying to accomplish is music that is catchy, but smart. Part of that is combining elements of different genres in ways that you might not imagine working together at first.”

Jessie deftly succeeds in her creative mission with songs like the new-wave-spiced “Valentine” and the introspective, retro-soul-infused “Long Way From Home.” It is during these songs, in particular, that Jessie most effectively proves herself as a vessel for widely varied concepts, while also indicating a remarkable talent for genre interpretation.

It’s been an intriguing journey up to this point for Jessie Malakouti. This enigmatic bombshell admits to starting her own rock band just to piss off her parents and then promptly left home at 16. Growing up in rough patches around Southern California’s Inland Empire added a dark tinge to her savvy pop outlook.

Going from friends’ sofas to audition to odd job and back again, Jessie would live off various paid acting/dance gigs as well as teaching at the local dance studio. She earned her stripes by fronting her rock band Shut Up Stella hitting the sweaty LA club scene and building a West Coast fan base.

Then things started to change. “I just wasn’t in the same head space anymore,” says Jessie, “they wanted to carry on making angry music and I was writing happy pop songs.”

From there, Jessie began to believe that she could navigate her own creative ship. “When you have a vision for yourself, you have to take risks,” she says. “I’m completely comfortable with that, because I decided a while ago that I was going to live or die by my own sword. I’d rather people love me or hate me, nothing in between, thanks.”

Given what Jessie Malakouti has beneath the surface, there’s little chance that her future is anything but bright. If there’s a boundary, Jessie is going to push it.

I had the chance to ask Jessie about her interest in music, who she’d love to work with, and how she’s different from other artists in her genre. You can read about that below.

When did you first realize you had an interest in music and what sparked that interest?

I’ve always had an interest in music. As soon as I could speak I was singing. I used to sing songs in Farsi that my father would teach me. We had a piano in our home and my siblings and I would literally get into fights with each other over who got to play it longer.

What drives and inspires you to do what you love?

Life inspires me to write and perform songs. Human nature and emotion; Love, hate, lust, sex, betrayal, war, happiness… Jessie and The Toy Boys is just about putting it all to music.

Do you find it easy to sing and perform? Does it come naturally for you?

I’ve always felt most comfortable on a stage. When I’m performing I am happiest. I’m really looking forward to all the shows the Toy Boys and I have planned this year.

Besides music, what are some of your favorite things to do?

I love to dance. I really enjoy taking ballet and jazz. I’m a big prankster and I love pulling pranks on people… I also love spending quality time with my friends and family.

If you had the chance to work or record with anyone, who would you choose?

There are so many people I’d love to work with. From a production stand point I’d love to work with Dave Stewart from The Eurythmics, and from an artist collaboration the ultimate dream would be Madonna.

How would you describe the sound of your music?

The Jessie and The Toy Boys sound is like biting into a cherry cordial chocolate. On the outside you don’t really know what you’re going to get, but as soon as you take a bite it’s an explosion of sweet and sour. Plus it leaves you buzzed!

How do you feel that you’re different from other artists in your genre?

First off no one sounds like me. I am a unique artist with my own swag that cannot be imitated or duplicated.

What are some of your short-term and long-term goals you have lined out for yourself?

Short term, I want to tour the world with the Toy Boys and meet all my beautiful fans in different places. Long term, I want to win an Academy Award.

What are your upcoming plans for promoting your music?

For Jessie and The Toy Boys to send a sonic-BOOM across the globe.

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Images Via: WENN