Jesse James Pariah has never been one to follow a straight line. The Kauai-born singer-songwriter, whose voice became a signature of DENM’s Slum Beach Posse Vol. 1, has spent years straddling the line between underground cult hero and next-up breakout artist. But now, with a new record deal, a fresh solo single, and an album on the horizon, Jesse James Pariah is ready to carve his own name into the alt-rock and reggae landscape.
From Slum Beach to the Spotlight
Fans of Slum Beach Posse Vol. 1 already know Jesse’s voice well, even if they didn’t immediately know his name. He co-wrote and performed on some of the record’s most beloved tracks—Lose Myself, Along The Way, and More Love—all of which bear his distinctive mix of raw, sun-drenched soul and melodic grit. The project, helmed by DENM, was a collision of surf culture, reggae, punk, and indie rock, becoming an instant streaming phenomenon with over 30 million collective plays. Now, Jesse is stepping into the spotlight on his own terms.
“I was always into surfing and skating but never really into music. I guess I was a bit insecure about that,” Pariah told The Pier. “When I was around 26, I picked up a ukulele and started learning a few songs. Next thing I knew, I was really enjoying it—it became a special part of my life when I really needed it. Then I met DENM, and we hit it off right away. He was like the older brother I never had. He was doing everything I had always dreamed of in music, and I was doing everything he had always dreamed of in surfing. That connection led us to bond over music as well.”
New Record Deal and Solo Debut
Signed to SVN/BVRNT Records/Regime Music Group—the independent label spearheaded by Jakob Nowell (Sublime, Jakobs Castle) and guitarist Zane Vandevort—Jesse has unleashed his debut solo single, Horns Under Halo. Produced by DENM, the track dives headfirst into the battle between good and evil, with Jesse confronting past demons over a hypnotic, alt-rock groove. The track’s infectious guitar riff, courtesy of Strange Case’s Zane Vandevort, underscores a story of redemption and reinvention. If Slum Beach Posse introduced Jesse as the poetic counterweight to DENM’s beachside swagger, Horns Under Halo Jesse’s debut solo single establishes him as a frontman in his own right—vulnerable, visceral, and unfiltered.
A Unique Musical Journey
Jesse’s journey to this moment wasn’t exactly conventional. Growing up on the lush, wave-drenched shores of Kauai, he was as much a surfer as he was a musician. His influences stretched from the island rhythms of Jack Johnson to the fiery lyricism of Eminem and the psychedelic rebellion of The Doors. Like many island kids, he picked up an ukulele before a guitar, using it as a tool for expression, a way to translate the chaos of adolescence into melody. That early love of music eventually led him to Southern California, where he found his tribe among the surf-punk and reggae hybrid scene cultivated by artists like DENM, Landon McNamara, and Benny Ranks.
The Road to Slum Beach Posse
The chemistry with DENM was instant. What started as jam sessions in Huntington Beach morphed into the Slum Beach Posse collective—a group of musicians bonded by a shared love of surfing, songwriting, and late-night creative free-for-alls. When DENM assembled the crew at McNamara’s house for a week of recording, the result was Slum Beach Posse Vol. 1, a project that resonated far beyond their small scene, earning them national attention and millions of streams.
2025: The Year of Jesse James Pariah
But Jesse always had bigger ambitions. Horns Under Halo is just the beginning of his solo ascent. With his debut album slated for release in Spring 2025 via SVN/BVRNT, he’s crafting a record that reflects every piece of his identity—his island roots, his SoCal influences, and the raw honesty that has always defined his music. If Slum Beach Posse was the introduction, this album will be the manifesto.
“My first single has more of a reggae vibe, maybe with some rock influences and a bit of rapping. I’m not great at describing it, but that’s the general feel. My second single leans more towards a rock, almost punk vibe—though not too aggressive.”
Pariah describes his musical style, saying, “I’d say it’s a pretty diverse album. The music I listen to changes every day, and I guess my album will reflect that. There’s definitely going to be some reggae. I want to create music that I can make surf edits to and songs that get me pumped up.”
For fans who have been following since the early days, this moment feels inevitable. Jesse James Pariah is more than just the other voice of Slum Beach Posse—he’s an artist stepping boldly into his own light. And if Horns Under Halo is any indication, that light burns bright.
Stay Connected
Follow Jesse James Pariah on Instagram: @jesse_james_pariah
