Jess Rotter

Meet Jess Rotter, an incredibly talented illustrator from Brooklyn, NY, whose work draws from an array of ‘60s and ‘70s rock and roll heroes. 

About a year ago, while shooting in LA, I worked on a mixtape for West Elm’s Front & Main culture blog. One of my favorite mixtapes on the blog was by Jess, so I reached out to her and we scheduled a photo shoot once I returned to Brooklyn.

A few days later, I met Zach Cowie for a shoot in his apartment. The first thing I saw on his wall was an illustration of Robert Wyatt, created by Jess. I told Zach I recognized the illustration, and he noted Jess as one of his dearest friends. 

So, here it is happening again, the vinyl community has a cosmic link to each other, and it really makes me so happy to reveal these connections as I meet new people.

What is your full name? Where are you from, and where do you currently live?

Jess Rotter, 33, I’m from Brooklyn, NY, and live in Los Angeles, CA.

What’s playing right now on your turntable?

Na Hawa Doumbia’s La Grande Cantatrice Malienne, V. 3, released by the great Brian Shimkovitz of Awesome Tapes From Africa, The Hot Dogs’ Say What You Mean (pre-Summer fun), Annette Peacock’s X-Dreams, and my best friend Susannah just bought me a Grateful Dead vinyl box set of all the Warner Brothers studio releases, which I can’t turn off…

Na Hawa Doumbia – La Grande Cantatrice Malienne, V. 3. Doumbia is a singer from Mali and is an essential artist in the Wassoulou music genre.

“I had my own little Fisher Price Record player at a very early age. It was love at first play. Even when asleep as a child, I would wake up, turn the side of the record, then go back to sleep.”

What was your last purchase?

Athanor’s Graveyard, Phil Manzanera’s Remixes 1 (so expensive but awesome), Laurie Spiegel’s The Expanding Universe reissue, To What a Strange Place Vol. 1 compilation by Mississippi Records. And I get dark with the latest Death Waltz Horror soundtracks (mind-blowing cover art), Affinity’s self-titled reissue.

What was the first album in your collection? How did you get it? At what age? Can you describe that feeling?

Gosh, I would say it was the In Harmony compilations put out by Sesame Street. That record included children’s music sung by heroes like The Doobie Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor (I still listen to “Jelly Man Kelly” all the time), and Bette Midler. Both volumes 1 and 2 were gifts–most likely from family–I would just lie on the floor, stare at the cover art, and sway. 

Both records were highly influential to my childhood–the artwork nails my wacky sensibility, depicting all kinds of psychedelic creatures chilling in the bathtub. Part Peter Max, part Fritz the Cat, it’s a match made in Rotter scribble heaven. I still have the originals featured in this shoot!

“My family was all about finding channels to bring your imagination out as they firmly believed the world tasted much sweeter that way.”

Various – In Harmony. “Sesame Street is a major influence on my childhood and the first records I owned. Major critter hangs in the tub.”

“Vinyl has always been this endearing way of communication I have with people. A friend once told me a life well-lived is when you have a heavy music head in your circle to teach you about records.”

Who sparked your love of music?

My father for sure. His collection opened my eyes and quickly turned me into an old soul. He ensured I had my own little Fisher Price Record player at a very early age. It was love at first play. Even when asleep as a child, I would wake up, turn the side of the record, then go back to sleep. My family was all about finding channels to bring your imagination out as they firmly believed the world tasted much sweeter that way. Enjoying records was a great way to unleash that…making pictures immediately in your head.

Why vinyl?

Listening to music via computer speakers is just not as groovy.

Do you focus on a specific musical genre?

I listen mostly to music from the past, but within that, I listen to all kinds of genres.

How has your passion for vinyl affected the rest of your life — friends, life partners, lifestyle, jobs?

Vinyl has always been this endearing way of communication I have with people. A friend once told me a life well-lived is when you have a heavy music head in your circle to teach you about records. Through the years, mixes I have received and exchanged with greats like Zach Cowie (Turquoise Wisdom), Chris Ruggerio (Preservation Sound), Keith Abrahamsson (Mexican Summer), and Matt Werth (RVNG) in particular have been constant inspirations and bonds between us. It can get deep! I send mixes to friends from time to time, as a little diary of what has been found via myself and others, always hoping to pass those lil zingers on. I still hold on to the passion for new music–that enthusiasm and drive never disappear.

The Orkustra – Adventures In Experimental Electric Orchestra From The San Francisco Psychedelic Underground. “This was a heavy/fantastic project to work on, and Bobby made this artwork for us whilst in prison. I bought this painting from him, and it proudly hangs in my apartment.”

You’re an illustrator, and much of your work is based on music and album covers. How did you get into that?

The music scribbles came to play when I was in college. I spent every summer interning at Mo’Wax Records in London, whose aesthetic was heavily built on album art and creative promotion. When I was living a semester abroad in London, my scribbles caught the attention of a clothing label called Birdie, who commissioned me to do prints and t-shirts paying homage to bands and artists of the past. 

We did prints for dresses of Elton John’s “Bennie And The Jets” and George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord.” One of my favorite designs we did was of the song “Oh Yoko!” which featured John in the middle of a bath calling to a large portrait of Yoko (In Harmony reference, anyone?). When Birdie ended in 2006, I began my own t-shirt line, Rotter and Friends, which paid homage to even rarer music of that time like Link Wray, Badfinger, Ya Ho Wha 13, Big Star, and Linda Ronstadt. 

R + F to this day garners so many supporters and good vibes; it helped shape my illustration and painting career to where it is now. It is an honor to still receive letters and mixes from young teenagers and older adults looking to learn or reminisce about the records we salute.

Some stunning artwork done by Jess hangs above her.

“A little Christine McVie block print I did in 2010.”

Christine Perfect – Self-titled. “The Legendary Christine Perfect Album. This record, which is pre-Fleetwood Mac, is a whopper.”

“Record stores are like little art galleries.”

I can definitely see an influence from this Hobbit album. Was it one of your first records?

This Hobbit record set was actually a recent gift from my friends at Co-Op 87 shop in Brooklyn, but that cartoon was one of the biggest influences on my life. The Rotter household was a J.R.R. Tolkien headquarters filled with Lord of the Rings books, hand-painted Hobbit mirrors, and this movie, which was on significant VHS rotation.

Rankin / Bass – The Hobbit. Some legendary J.R.R. Tolkien action from the genius minds of Rankin and Bass.

Various – Country Funk 1969-1975. “I illustrated this for Light In The Attic, harping a little Hobbit composition. This was a really amazing project to work on. There’s also a 20-page book with more drawings, and one of my dearest friends, Jessica Hundley, wrote the rad liner notes.”

“This is a drawing of two record dudes asking the age-old question, ‘Can you imagine being able to listen to this record for the first time… again?’ Very 1970s-driven scribbles as usual.”

Where do you acquire your vinyl these days: flea markets, record shops, personal dealers, eBay, other online stores?

A dream day is to wake up, grab a coffee, and quietly hit the shops for inspiration. Record stores are like little art galleries, and I also enjoy them greatly when out of town. The most meaningful records are the ones I received as gifts because those mean someone put thought into the piece. Also, working at record labels for over ten years is an easy way to nab vinyl.

A stuffed goat roaming over custom record crates.

“I like to listen to something that allows me to escape, place perspective, fall in love, cry, reflect, fantasize, hope, and create, but not all at once, of course.”

What other goodies have you found while looking for records?

I love it when people draw on used record covers. It often happens with The Beatles, arguing who is the cutest with little arrows and hearts (for me, it’s George). One of my favorite pieces is a crayon-colored version of Neil Young’s Zuma, which Mike Sniper from Captured Tracks surprised me with when I went through records for his shop. Looking at it, you can imagine the person listening to “Danger Bird” crackling on the stereo, while quietly coloring in the black and white cover.

What do you look for in a record?

I like to listen to something that allows me to escape, place perspective, fall in love, cry, reflect, fantasize, hope, and create, but not all at once, of course. Good artwork helps, too!

“Thin Lizzy poster from their first record, my brothers at Light In The Attic just reissued. This album is beyond heavy rotation here in Rotter corner.”

David Crosby – If I Could Only Remember My Name. “This is one of the greatest!”

Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes – Self-titled. “French avant-garde awesomeness of Ribeiro + Alpes…a serious trip indeed.”

The Deadly Nightshade – Self-titled. “Once appearing as the Sesame Street house band, The Deadly Nightshade has a great song on here about female insecurity called ‘Nose Job,’ which I am obsessed with and is a mix staple.”

What is it about men with mustaches?

Ha! Well, maybe mustaches represent a particular masculine gusto of the era? One of my favorite ’staches is Jade Stone’s on the cover of Mosaics: Pieces of Stone. Biker rock and roll fu manchu!

Jade Stone & Luv – Mosaics: Pieces of Stone. “Paul Major said it best: ‘Groovy love vibes through a prism of jade statues in swinging singles apartment complex action.’ Of course, I had to make a watercolor based on that insane cover…”

“Jade Stone is currently, and apparently, floating in space.”

“Music breathes on vinyl, it has heart, and forces you to listen in a much different way than an MP3. I enjoy the physicality of the experience.”

Do you think collecting vinyl helps preserve our musical heritage and culture?

The beauty of vinyl is in the act and sound; no other formats work the same. Music breathes on vinyl, it has heart, and forces you to listen in a much different way than an MP3. I enjoy the physicality of the experience.

Do you have a record collecting philosophy? Any special routines when you enter a store?

I definitely always peek at the walls for the store’s weekly “edit” and then head straight to the “New Arrivals” bin. I rarely enter a record store knowing exactly what I want. I prefer the mysterious ride of digging and seeing what happens.

What’s your comfort record, the one you can always return to? What makes it so special?

The Ted Lucas album really makes me feel safe. That man had one of the most beautiful voices out there, and the songs are full of warmth. There’s a bootleg version of Neil Young’s song “On The Beach” that will always be a special go-to for comfort. And, since my early teens, there has been no band like Led Zeppelin, forever and always, they will be a favorite.

Ted Lucas – Self-titled. Ted Lucas was an icon in the Detroit rock and his debut is one of the best of the era.

“The back of the Ted Lucas record is a holy one indeed.”

Neil Young – On The Beach.  An underrated gem from Neil Young’s lengthy ‘70s discography.

“Some are blessed with a copy of On The Beach with a floral print from the umbrella featured on the cover, printed inside. Check your copy!”

Do you have any favorite records with unique packaging, shapes, or colored vinyl?

A few of the reissues Mexican Summer released years back had some of my favorite packaging, which included Fraction’s Moon Blood and Ramases’s Space Hymns. The Fraction LP had a red foil cellophane to reveal a slip-out Moon, and the Ramases had an 8-foot pull-out cover poster of a painting by Roger Dean. 

Of course, Ambrosia’s pop-out prism packaging from Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled is amazing and was later used as an influence for The Alps’ Easy Action. Mo’ Wax did some amazing packaging with their records, like the fun UNKLE one featured in this shoot. Of course, the die cut on Link Wray’s Self-titled is pretty great. I tend to gravitate towards strong profiles on album covers like John Phillips’ The Wolfking of LA and Bob Dylan’s Desire.

Ambrosia – Somewhere I’ve Never Travelled. “Prism packaging! So cool, from Ambrosia and later the influence for The Alps record, Easy Action.”

UNKLE – Psyence Fiction. “UNKLE pop-up fun from back in the day.”

Link Wray – Self-titled. “An amazing original Link Wray die-cut cover.”

Elton John – “I’m Still Standing.” “Piano fun for Elton John, who I didn’t mention enough in this interview but love to bits.”

Show me an unexpected album with an unexpected cover

I love this Neil Young live bootleg record from the late 1970s–it has an adult-themed illustrated comic book cover with a different song title in each stanza told through the eyes of piggies! Super influential!

Neil Young – BBC Broadcast. “Amazing Neil Young live bootleg that is laid out with all the songs in comic book style; each stanza is a song title from the concert done in Piggy Vision.”

Tell me about a dollar bin record you would never part with.

I have three dollar bin staples that I always put on mixes and that I shall never part with. Fox’s “The Juggler,” The Deadly Nightshades’ “Nosejob,” and Mr. Indian and Time’s “I Want To Be An Eagle.”

Mr. Indian & Time – Morning Star. “I adore the psyche-muppetry of this Mr. Indian and Time record. RIP Eugene Beyale.”

What about digging buddies? Do you share or go solo?

I definitely go solo a lot when record shopping. Though visiting a shop with a friend in town is nice, I feel a bit more relaxed on my own. Going to record shops where my friends work, like Mount Analog, Other Music, and Co-op 87, is the best because they give great advice and guidance on what’s cookin’ on the shelves. I like going to record stores that have “barber-shop” banter.

What’s your saddest record story?

I get pretty choked up whenever I play my mother’s copy of Cat Stevens’ “Foreigner Suite.” It’s a beautiful 20-minute song that goes in all different directions musically and takes up one whole side of the record. When she gave it to me and played it for the first time, I was blown away as she took me through the song step by step and revealed a time in her life that seemed to be the best. 

She brightened up at moments and would get choked up at others, speaking of her youth and freedoms lost as she grew older. Listening to that record for her was like pure time travel, and it is a very important and emotional piece to hear, especially as I age and understand more how moments like that matter so much.

List a record or two with the power to heal a broken heart. List a couple more that are guaranteed to make a broken heart even more painful.

When I was 26, my heart was truly in pieces, and Zach sent me a mix that included Judee Sill’s “The Donor”–what a life-changing song. To this day, that album-ending opus gives me goosebumps and tears; it definitely serves as a meditation to release the demons. I was in a record store earlier today and saw the album Heart Food with a big hand-written note taped on top that said: “This one has THE DONOR on it, heavy vibes!” I had to smile, as I know most people who heard that song belong to the same club. It is something.

Another one is Gene Clark’s No Other, which pretty much kills me. I usually need to listen to that alone as it’s so gutting. A droogy night record for sure. The Joy of Cooking’s “Beginning Tomorrow” helps me move on to a new chapter.

Gene Clark – No Other. “When I first heard this record, I literally fell on the floor face down. Painful, honest, and gorgeous, this is a very important one. And to think, at one point it cost $1.99!”

“Vinyl helps you listen in a way that hopefully shuts other things down, and I am thankful for that. Like the great Willie Nelson said: ‘Slow down, old world.’”

Regrets! Tell us about an excellent record or two that got away from you.

I remember having a crush on this guy ages ago and basically giving him a giant vinyl Bob Marley box set, hoping I’d get a date out of it, and that was far from the case. So lame! Gimme that back!

Was there a particular person who inspired you to collect records, a role model in the art of record collecting?

This is a no-brainer, as Zach Cowie is the most significant musical mentor in my life. We met many years ago when he hired me to work publicity on a Smog record, and bonded over The Wolfking Of LA. Back in the day, he started sending me mixes called “Boot Cuts” that included Terry Reid, Mickey Newbury, Terry Melcher, Judee Sill, and Gene Clark; it was like someone sending Bible chapters. To this day, he has been a teacher, a frequent collaborator, and is responsible for many influences that have saved me.

What do you want to happen to your collection when you check out?

Please deliver it to my high school and put it in the hallways as a free-for-all. I love to share/talk about the music I scribble with my peers and elders, but the kids need to learn about music the most. We need more filters for them to hear records from the heartstrings and be inspired to take those references into something new and lasting, just like those albums were.

Who would you like to see profiled next on Dust & Grooves?

It would be sweet to see my fellow record head sisters, Mahssa Taghinia (Mount Analog) and Amanda Colbenson (Chouette Shop) profiled. More women need to share their great record collections in this world!

A messy array of records on Jess’s floor.

Any vinyl thoughts, contemplations, or reminiscences?

I was recently in Japan for an art show, and my dear friend Frosty from Dublab had recommended a spot called The Lion to check out in Tokyo. The old 1920’s building quietly sat amongst the Shibuya’d chaos and when you entered, it revealed a 2-story gorgeous church-like atmosphere, where instead of an altar, there is a humongous pair of speakers and vinyl everywhere; however there are rules: no talking allowed, no booze, and only classical music is played. 

It was one of the most spiritual joints I had ever been to. The Lion was indeed the temple of vinyl–to know a place like that exists, where people are stopping everything (including their phones) to quietly close their eyes and listen to beauty that I shall never forget. It’s a shame how often we miss things and people right in front of us, or don’t fully get to experience because we have 50 other things to do in our heads, trying to edit our egos and existence. Vinyl helps you listen in a way that hopefully shuts other things down, and I am thankful for that. Like the great Willie Nelson said: “Slow down, old world”.

Jess Rotter is an experienced artist and creative director who has worked with dozens of musicians, like My Morning Jacket. When she is not collaborating with bands, she makes prints and t-shirts inspired by her favorite ‘70s rockers with her brand Rotter and Friends.

Instagram

Website

Edited by Sam Cohen

Dear Dust & Groovers,

For over a decade, we’ve been dedicated to bringing you the stories, collections, and passion of vinyl record collectors from around the world. We’ve built a community that celebrates the art of record collecting and the love of music. We rely on the support of our readers and fellow music lovers like YOU!

If you enjoy our content and believe in our mission, please consider becoming a paid member or make a one time donation. Your support helps us continue to share these stories and preserve the culture we all cherish.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.

Groove on,
Eilon Paz and the Dust & Grooves team