We recently had the chance to connect with Jesse Sunga and have shared our conversation below.
Jesse, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes! I felt proud having my first Jesse Sunga Band show about a month ago. After a decade of playing with various bands, I finally felt the confidence to bring it to fruition.
My friend, Larry Woods (of Skylar Lazor), hit me up asking if I knew of any bands that could be part of a three-band showcase night. I started thinking about local bands I’d like to see play, but shortly after—realizing I didn’t have anything booked for that date—I told Larry about the Jesse Sunga Band.
After he confirmed the date, I quickly got to work assembling a band and a setlist. Luckily, I was able to recruit my colleagues for this gig. I had Grady Collingbourne on drums, Zeb Sowell on bass/vocals, and Jimmy Lopez on percussion.
Fast forward to showtime—everything felt right and in place. The musical chemistry was there, and the audience felt it. The stars had aligned for us, allowing the songs to be free yet composed.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jesse Sunga. I am a Nashville-based guitarist, predominantly playing slide guitar with various bands and duos, as well as fronting my own group, The Jesse Sunga Band.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I think a lot of creatives in my space have taught me about work. There are both local and non-local musicians I’ve met or played with—like Madison Hughes, Jesse Williams, and Ryan Joyce—who are always sharing new songs and content. Seeing this motivates me to do the same.
But inspiration isn’t limited to those who play music. I’m lucky enough to know Heather Nigro and Phil Silverberg, both talented creatives.. They embody the idea of “trusting the process” and continue to do great things.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
For sure. Rejection is a huge part of the music business. It is something relatable from the beginner musician to the professionals and often makes you question some life choices. In the first 2 months of this year, I had 1 gig. Alongside some personal issues this was very depressing for me. The thought of giving up was present. However I did not know what else to do nor did I want to do anything else. Perhaps I was burnt out. But I’ve never felt I got busy enough to get burnt out. After these 2 months gigs and sessions started picking up and has left me feeling more motivated than ever.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
As cliche as it sounds… variations of “keep going” or “trust the process”. I certainly get a confidence boost from my close friends I look up to when they tell me they believe in me and trust my opinions on this musical journey.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that when I am gone, people will tell stories about my musical journey in a positive manner. It is the one thing I genuinely love and can believe in myself in. And I hope it translates in my playing; making those who listen feel great and forget about their troubles for a bit.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Phil Silverberg
Shane Nelson
Jon Duncan
Danielle Sunga
Julia Valdes
Melissa Goehner
Kimberly Kagy
