Today’s guest is the frontman of one of the most defining bands of the 2010s — a songwriter whose voice helped shape an era of alternative pop that still echoes today.

Before arenas. Before permanence. Before “Sweater Weather” became cultural shorthand.

Now, after over a decade of hits, reinvention, and evolution, he looks back on the long arc of The Neighbourhood with clarity — and with honesty about what success did and didn’t solve.

And The Writer Is… Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood!

In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Jesse opens up about:

• Growing up in the industry before he understood it

• The unlikely formation and endurance of The Neighbourhood

• His journey through childhood acting, getting discovered, + losing his dad on the brink of success

• The advice he’d give himself before it worked

• And much more…

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Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music.

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Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:09 I Never Wanted To Be Alternative


4:02 Why Thousand Oaks Produces Massive Bands

7:39 Becoming a Child Actor at 6


8:35 “My Self-Worth Is Tied to Entertaining”


9:55 Discovered in a Movie Theater at 5


14:16 Reconnecting With His Dad Before He Passed


17:28 Success Without the Fame He Expected

27:10 High School Metalcore Bands

33:17 How The Neighbourhood Formed


36:06 The First Riff of “Sweater Weather”


40:00 Getting Discovered Online by Their Manager


44:23 His Manager’s Warning…

47:20 Writing the Lyrics to “Sweater Weather”


48:42 Pop Writing Rules


55:23 Learning to Let Go of Instant Validation


59:32 Daddy Issues


1:02:30Watching Your Own Lyrics Affect Relationships


1:10:01 Why He Needs Alone Time

1:10:23 Feeling Invisible, the “Chip Chrome” Era


1:11:17 Touring the Same Venues & The Plateau Feeling


1:12:31 Why Chip Chrome Became His Favorite Creative Risk


1:13:48 “You’ve Got to Get People to Look to Listen”

1:16:00 Creative Direction as Identity Control


1:19:30 Self-Sabotage vs Reinvention


1:32:00 Band Brotherhood & Growing Up Together


1:36:00 Legacy, Impact & What Really Matters

1:41:00 Advice to His Younger Self

Hosted by Ross Golan

Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad

Edited by Jad Saad

Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki

Watercolor Art by Michael White

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.