With a voice like worn denim and a songwriter’s compass pointed squarely at the truth, Emmett Jerome returns with “It Ain’t Me,” a dark, tape-warmed Americana track that exorcises heartbreak and hard truths in one raw, live-off-the-floor performance. It’s the sound of dust on boots, a heart in hand, and a young artist wise beyond his years.

Written in a quick flash on acoustic guitar, “It Ain’t Me” captures the emotional aftermath of love gone cold delivered from the voice of a character haunted by what once was. “I related the idea of an emotionally unavailable or heartbroken individual to that of a spooked horse,” says Jerome. “That tension, that jumpiness, is something I’ve known.”

From Springsteen-tinged lyrics to the swirling blend of vintage amps, banjo grit, and studio tape hiss, “It Ain’t Me” straddles the line between classic and contemporary. “It sounds to me like it could be some obscure 70s banjo-rock B-side or a Neil Young/Crazy Horse jam,” Jerome says. “We brought in great players rooted in blues, country, and rock. You can hear it.”

Tracked live off the floor at Vancouver‘s Afterlife Studios – a storied space packed with analog gear and old ghosts – the song barely touches a computer. “Aside from a few vocal overdubs and extra banjo, what you’re hearing is a band playing together in a room. That energy is everything.”

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?
It Ain’t Me is written about a person who just can’t open up to the world, no matter the cost. I’ve always found a way to run when under pressure to open up in a relationship, and this song compares that to the character of a jittery horse who’s quick to bolt. We recorded the video at The Heatley, a local East Vancouver bar known for having a vibrant singer songwriter and artistic community. Whether onstage sharing new material or listening to my peers, The Heatley stage has been instrumental in my growth as a writer and performer and I’m proud to include it in the ongoing story of ‘It Aint Me.” 

2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
We wanted to capture the space as raw and natural as possible, and honor the values of simplicity and truth that command the Healtey Stage. 

3. What was the process of making this video?

The video was shot in an afternoon with Matt Miller, the in-house music video director at 604 records. Matt and I basically improvised the whole shoot, crushing Tim Hortons and letting our muse guide us around the dark lit bar. We ended up shooting in a few locations within The Heatley that caught our eye, and Matt stitched them together in a unique way that lets the story unfold.