Today’s guest is the frontman of one of the most defining bands of the 2010s — a songwriter whose voice helped shape an era of alternative pop that still echoes today.
Before arenas. Before permanence. Before “Sweater Weather” became cultural shorthand.
Now, after over a decade of hits, reinvention, and evolution, he looks back on the long arc of The Neighbourhood with clarity — and with honesty about what success did and didn’t solve.
And The Writer Is… Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood!
In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Jesse opens up about:
• Growing up in the industry before he understood it
• The unlikely formation and endurance of The Neighbourhood
• His journey through childhood acting, getting discovered, + losing his dad on the brink of success
• The advice he’d give himself before it worked
• And much more…
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:09 I Never Wanted To Be Alternative
4:02 Why Thousand Oaks Produces Massive Bands
7:39 Becoming a Child Actor at 6
8:35 “My Self-Worth Is Tied to Entertaining”
9:55 Discovered in a Movie Theater at 5
14:16 Reconnecting With His Dad Before He Passed
17:28 Success Without the Fame He Expected
27:10 High School Metalcore Bands
33:17 How The Neighbourhood Formed
36:06 The First Riff of “Sweater Weather”
40:00 Getting Discovered Online by Their Manager
44:23 His Manager’s Warning…
47:20 Writing the Lyrics to “Sweater Weather”
48:42 Pop Writing Rules
55:23 Learning to Let Go of Instant Validation
59:32 Daddy Issues
1:02:30Watching Your Own Lyrics Affect Relationships
1:10:01 Why He Needs Alone Time
1:10:23 Feeling Invisible, the “Chip Chrome” Era
1:11:17 Touring the Same Venues & The Plateau Feeling
1:12:31 Why Chip Chrome Became His Favorite Creative Risk
1:13:48 “You’ve Got to Get People to Look to Listen”
1:16:00 Creative Direction as Identity Control
1:19:30 Self-Sabotage vs Reinvention
1:32:00 Band Brotherhood & Growing Up Together
1:36:00 Legacy, Impact & What Really Matters
1:41:00 Advice to His Younger Self
Hosted by Ross Golan
Produced by Joe London & Jad Saad
Edited by Jad Saad
Post-Production VFX by Pratik Karki
Watercolor Art by Michael White
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