Emmett Jerome is back with a brand new single, “It Ain’t Me.”
Known for his honest songwriting and raspy, lived-in voice, Jerome delivers a song that feels real and raw from start to finish.
A Song About Heartbreak and Letting Go
“It Ain’t Me” was written quickly on acoustic guitar and captures the feeling of a relationship that has fallen apart. The song comes from the point of view of someone dealing with the difficult truth that love has faded.
Jerome describes the main character as a “spooked horse,” representing someone who has become emotionally unavailable or afraid to connect. It’s a feeling he says he understands well.
A Classic Sound with a Modern Edge
The song combines elements of blues, country, and rock, and draws inspiration from artists like Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. With banjo, vintage amps, and a bit of tape hiss, “It Ain’t Me” sounds like a mix of something old and something new.
Jerome wanted the track to feel like it could have come from the 70s, with a timeless sound that isn’t overproduced.
Recorded Live Off the Floor
“It Ain’t Me” was recorded at Afterlife Studios in Vancouver, a space known for its analog gear and live energy. Most of the song was captured live with the band playing together in the room.
Aside from a few vocal overdubs and some extra banjo, what you hear is what happened in the studio. Jerome believes this approach keeps the music honest and full of real energy.
Emmett Jerome’s Approach to Songwriting
For Jerome, songwriting is all about capturing a real moment. He doesn’t like to overthink or overproduce his songs.
“I never want to overcook a track or force it,” he says. “You have to let emotions guide you and be open to wherever they take you.”
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
