Jeremiah Ince is preparing for his third show at Oberlin, to take place at The ‘Sco on April 10 at 10 pm. The show coincides with the release of his new album, I’m Not Good at These Things, the result of three years of work.
Featuring DJ Carrots, guitars, drums, bass, and vocalists, the show is a much bigger undertaking than previous performances. Ince has been working to become as big as he knows he will be, and creating this album has allowed him to explore some of the potential consequences of fame. When I sat down with Ince in Mudd Library, he said “I know I’m going to be at the level that I want to be no. That is not a question. It’s more like, what if I become the worst version of myself? And that’s what I’m trying to tackle with this.”
Discussing his expectations for the show, Ince is all excitement, no nerves. You could tell that he will get to the level he desires to achieve. He added, “being able to be on a stage and look over and see everybody is like, wow, I feel so connected and it’s just so nice. I never get nervous because I think that’s the key thing, I want the interaction.”
Unlike musicians who see performance as a relationship between their set and how they perform it, Ince fosters a connection with his audience which he deems as one of the most important parts of performing. Ince channels an energy that is simultaneously lively and grounded, delivering a message to the audience: “Hey guys, I’m here with you. Let’s experience this together.”
This idea of togetherness weaves into his show and fosters audience participation that he deems an important part of his performing experience. It echoes traditions of call and response, which are often present in African American music. “The main person is just as much a part of the song as the whole community.”
Still, it’s important to Ince that he keeps the person on stage separate from his everyday self. Many artists often discuss having a “stage persona” and according to Ince he has “no clue who that guy is.” Despite this, Ince is always excited to go on stage and give a lively performance that connects with the crowd through his lyrics.
I asked if he had a dream venue, and his response was immediate. “Capital One Arena, for two reasons. One, I’m from D.C., and I would just want to be able to play an arena in my city. And then also, one of the best shows that I saw in my life was the 2022 Tyler the Creator, Call Me If You Get Lost Tour.” While The ‘Sco may not be Capital One, it’s an exciting step in his journey that we get to be part of.
In addition to rapping, Ince has been playing piano since he was six years old, as well as dabbling in drums and guitar. His family has played a significant role in his musical journey — both parents and siblings grew up playing piano, though only he and his brother kept it up. Living in Washington DC has exposed him to plenty of different types of music, yet coming to Oberlin expanded his palette even more, introducing Oberlin staples such as shoegaze, indie rock, and folk. These have allowed him to further his taste and musical practice while still producing music that resonates with him.
Ince has been releasing music since 2021, and these experiences have culminated in what he believes is his best work yet. Years have been dedicated to I’m Not Good at These Things. He hasn’t been rushed at all, which allowed Ince to fully realize each track exactly the way he wanted them.
When Ince spoke with his friend they said, “I know you said that you really want this to be your life, but I believe it now.” It’s easy to tell he’s been working hard on this, reworking songs that were started earlier in the three year process as he changes how he approaches songwriting. These are songs he’s excited to perform, and engage with the audience when he’s up on stage, because he knows they’re good and hopefully you will too.
It seems rare to meet an artist who is as talented as he is humble. Ince has a well-placed confidence in his music, but doesn’t let fame or ego guide him. Instead, his core values, which include loving where he’s at, being sober minded, and always wearing a smile, direct his behavior. His positivity and groundedness stands out in an industry that can often beat you down, but Ince has clearly done his homework in knowing how to be exactly who he is. I’m Not Good at These Things is a showcase not only of Ince’s talent, but also of the numerous collaborators on the album. Recorded both in Oberlin and Ince’s hometown of Washington DC, the album will release on April 13 as the highly anticipated crescendo in years of work.
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