Exploring Breath, Emotion, and Sound with Message To Bears’ Jerome Alexander
Meet Message To Bears — the musical project of composer and multi-instrumentalist Jerome Alexander. Based in Bristol and originally from London, Jerome has quietly built a dedicated global following with his deeply personal and emotionally rich sound. His music, which blends ambient textures with folk and post-rock influences, has found its way into everything from BBC radio shows to major festivals, Netflix series, and even the cult-favorite video game Life is Strange.
With over 200 million streams and a new single, Open Lungs, now out via Lost Birds Records, Jerome continues to explore the intersection of sound, emotion, and atmosphere. We sat down to talk about the inspiration behind his latest work, how he approaches composition, and what keeps him grounded through it all.
Q: Tell us about your personal journey into music.
I’ve always been drawn to music as a way of expressing things that can’t quite be put into words. I started out experimenting with recording at home—layering acoustic guitar, piano, and field recordings—and gradually found a sound that felt honest. Over time, what began as a very personal, solitary process grew into something that connected with others, which still feels a bit surreal.
Q: greatest inspirations and influences?
I’ve been inspired by a mix of post-rock, ambient, classical, and folk music. Artists like Sigur Rós, Nils Frahm, and Jóhann Jóhannsson have been big influences, along with acts like Explosions in the Sky and Sufjan Stevens. But inspiration also comes from outside music—from nature and personal experiences. I’m fascinated by the emotional power of sound and how textures and dynamics can tell a story without needing lyrics.
Q: Tell us about your name!
There’s not much of a story behind it, only in that I once saw the phrase online and I initially thought it was a band. When I discovered it wasn’t I decided to you use it as my own moniker. I’ve always liked animals.
Q: What about your creative process?
This particular track began on strummed guitar, eventually transposing it to analogue synth for a different feel. I built around it gradually, layering textures—strings, guitar, ambient pads and initially wordless vocals which eventually turned into actual lyrics—and letting the emotion of the piece guide the structure. I’m often working with loops and fragments that evolve naturally, almost like painting with sound. I try not to overthink things at first—just capture a feeling—and then shape it carefully until it feels complete.
Q: Anything else you'd like to share?
I’ve got a new album titled Tired Eyes, Waking Hearts coming out this year, which I’m really excited about—it’s a deeply personal record, and I can’t wait to share it. I’ve also got 2 films to score this year, which is a great creative challenge.
Photo Giulia Spadafora
