Message To Bears: A Conversation on Music & The Art of Letting Go

From the heart of London to the streets of Bristol, Jerome Alexander, the mastermind behind Message To Bears, has steadily crafted a distinctive sound that’s both soothing and emotionally charged. His latest single, ‘Open Lungs,’ released on March 28th, 2025, via Lost Birds Records, is an atmospheric masterpiece that’s already garnered attention from some of the biggest tastemakers in the industry.

With a career spanning over a decade, Alexander’s emotive, cinematic soundscapes have earned him support from BBC Radio, NPR, and KEXP, and seen his music featured in everything from Netflix hits to iconic video games. But he can craft immersive, otherworldly experiences that have truly set him apart.

In this interview, we dive into his creative process, inspirations, and what lies ahead for the man behind the music.

Hello! Thanks for sitting down with us to talk about music, inspiration, and more! For starters, when did you get the music bug? Can you recall your first-ever musical experience?

Thank you for having me. There was always music in my house growing up. When I was about 7, I had very relaxed music lessons with a family friend and local music teacher, just playing around with samplers and vintage synthesizers rather than formal lessons. I eventually started teaching myself guitar, and I remember messing around with a very basic version of music software on an old computer and being amazed that I could layer sounds and create something that felt like it had a mood of its own.

Given the state of mainstream culture that permeates how we consume media, how would you introduce your music to a stranger?

I’d probably just say it’s music for quiet moments. Something you can get lost in, or maybe something that helps you feel more present. I try to make music that’s honest and atmospheric – something that doesn’t shout but still resonates emotionally.

What do you hope listeners will take away from ‘Open Lungs’?

‘Open Lungs’ is about vulnerability and release – about those moments where you’re trying to let go of something difficult but still carry the weight of it. I hope listeners feel like they can exhale with the track, like it gives them space to sit with whatever they’re feeling without judgment.

How do you decide when a track is “finished”? Do you ever struggle with perfectionism?

All the time. I think every artist does to some degree. You can always tweak a reverb tail or nudge a note slightly, but at some point, you just have to let it go and trust that it captures what it needs to. I usually know a track is finished when I stop noticing its flaws and start getting absorbed in the feeling of it again. That’s when I know it’s ready to be shared.

Take me through your sound design process. Does the conception come first, or do the songs evolve naturally? Do you have a clear idea of what it will be before you start to make it?

It varies. Sometimes, a very clear emotional tone or melodic idea comes first, and the sound design is built around that. Other times it’s the texture or atmosphere – a field recording, an ambient loop – that sparks something unexpected. I think I’m most excited when things evolve naturally, when the track surprises me as it grows. I’ll often start with a small motif and build outward, letting it morph and shape itself.

What is your ideal mental state for creating music? What helps or hinders your process?

Ideally, I’m in a place of calm curiosity—open but not overthinking. If I’m too focused on “making something good,” it can really block the flow. What helps is usually solitude, a bit of silence before I begin, and a willingness to let things be imperfect at first. What hinders is stress, deadlines, or even just too much screen time beforehand. It can take a while to transition into that more intuitive space.

Do you have certain rituals to get you into the right mindset for creating? What role do certain foods or stimulants like coffee, lighting, scents, exercise, or reading poetry play?

I don’t usually drink coffee unless it’s decaf, but I’ll start my day with a long dog walk. I find it’s good for me to get out of the house before I settle into a creative zone. I like to dim the lights or use warm lamps, and I prefer for my space not to be too cluttered.

Time for your “guilty pleasure”! Is there something you’ve been really into lately that you find a little embarrassing? It could be anything—games, food, books, video games… Tell us about your favorite indulgence!

I’m pretty into those quick-to-cook packs of very spicy noodles.

I also want to ask you about the bands that have been continuous influences for you, but also about new bands and new records that you think are exciting in this scene.

Some long-time influences would be artists like The Album Leaf, Nils Frahm, and Explosions in the Sky—people who build emotion without relying on words. I also love the works of artists such as Jon Hopkins and RY X. More recently, the guitar work of Vraell I find very inspiring.

Looking ahead, what do you want to express through your work?

I want to keep exploring the in-between spaces – the quiet, the unresolved, the feelings we don’t always have names for. If I can continue making music that helps people reflect or connect inwardly, then that feels meaningful to me.