An Inside Look at Justin Esmer’s Journey with Achilles Heel

Hey groupies! Justin Esmer, or just Esmer as he’s known on stage, has just dropped his new EP "Achilles Heel," and we couldn’t wait to dive into it with him. We had the chance to sit down and talk about his creative process, what inspired the EP, and all the experiences that have shaped his music so far. From singing at church camp concerts to belting out songs with kids in the Philippines, Esmer’s journey is super inspiring. He’s even played live shows with a frat band doing covers, which pushed him to start making his own music and performing his own stuff.

Coming out of New Haven, CT, Esmer has already made waves in the local scene, playing shows all around Connecticut and beyond. Fun fact: he’s even done a show in Japan and just came back from a gig in Indiana! His new EP marks a shift in his sound, embracing collaboration and stepping into the light. We’re calling it now—Esmer is a serious force in the music world, and we’re all about it! Keep him on your radar. Here’s our interview where he spills all the details on his latest project and what’s next.

The production on this EP feels more polished compared to your previous release, "Rotten." What new approaches or techniques did you explore this time around?

J: Definitely collaborating with more people was a big focus. The goal for this EP was to create something that felt like a cohesive project. I had a lot of help from friends, like my buddy Cam on 'Waves,' Izzy and Khi on 'Second Street,' and Izzy on Allison. Mike from T!LT helped produce the 'Achilles Heel' track. He and Luca teamed up to record the whole thing live. Khi, Cam, Claire, Ben, Joe, and I had a field day playing that song over and over again until we got the best take. When I went to LA, I met this guy named Adam, who goes by Schrubbe, and I told him I wanted to make music during my time there. He jumped in and helped me record at his place in Glendale. When I got home, I showed everything to Izzy, and he gave me feedback like, 'this one needs to be a bit louder' or 'this one needs to be clearer,' just to make sure the tracks matched in frequency. Overall, it was a big step forward from 'Rotten' and 'Train Stops.' The goal was to make it sound great, whether it's blasting on the radio or in your car.

How did you land on the name “Achilles Heel” for this EP? What significance does it hold for you?

J:The name came to me immediately—I knew I wanted the project to be called Achilles Heel. The other tracks are awesome, but I really wanted Achilles Heel to be THE track. I actually wrote it when I was a senior in high school, on my acoustic guitar, and it went through a bunch of different variations. The main inspiration for it was this song called Let’s Pretend by Del Water Gap. At first, I was trying to sing it like him, but it just didn’t feel right. Eventually, I sang it the way I naturally sing the rest of my songs, and that gave it the consistency I was looking for across the whole project. The meaning behind Achilles Heel, in Greek mythology, is about having a specific weakness, and I thought about how, in romance, you can be so stoic or have your values straight, but one person can come along and completely change all of that in an instant.

Grief is a central theme in this album. Was it challenging to address such a personal topic, and did you have a clear vision for how you wanted to express it through your music?

J: My previous project, Train Stops, was really centered around grief. With Achilles Heel, I wanted to move away from that and try to create something happier and more upbeat, while still holding onto those same feelings of grief, if that was even possible. In one song, Waves, there's a lyric that goes, 'will my father ever shed a tear,' and while I was mixing it right next to him, I’d turn the volume down a bit because I didn’t want him to hear it. It felt weird to share something so personal with him. But then I saw him start to accept it, and the more I saw people accepting the song, the more I wanted it out there. It was like grief was telling me, 'I have to talk about this because it’s on my mind.'

Can you share the story behind "Wanted More"? What inspired its creation, and what does it mean to you?

J: So, that track was one I made with Adam and my friend Darian, who I met in LA. At the time, I was starting to get tired of serving at the restaurant I work at, so about a month before February, I decided to save up and buy a plane ticket to LA. I had no plan at all, except for where I would live. I stayed with my friend Alexis and kind of sneakily lived with her for a month. She was totally cool with it, but when she was in class and I was alone, I didn’t have much to do except walk around, get food, smoke—it wasn’t exactly the healthiest routine. That’s when I realized I needed to be doing something with music. One day, I was walking on campus at Occidental College and saw some people jamming. I joined them, and that’s where I met Adam. After jamming for a bit, I asked for his contact info, telling him I was down to make music if he lived close by. Not long after, we started creating music. As soon as I played two chords, he was like, 'Yeah, lay that down,' and I started speed-typing lyrics on my phone. The words didn’t feel deeply significant at the time, but I was picturing something, like the sun. In hindsight, those lyrics ended up resonating with me, like they reflected my past experiences—situations where I was the one wanting more in a relationship. It’s almost like I wrote a note to myself through the song.

"Waves" is another standout track. Can you talk about its origins and the message you wanted to convey?

The inspiration came from listening to 'Rushes' by Frank Ocean, which my friend Izzy introduced me to. It struck a chord with me because it was the first time I heard something that truly resonated, and I wanted to create something similar—vocally driven and emotional. The next day, I shared it with Cam, and we decided to produce a track in that style. We spent some time at his place, laid down some chords, and took a break. After a jog, we came back and added lyrics and harmonies. Cam suggested a rap part, which took a while, but the overall process was fairly quick. I handled the vocal mixing and found 'Waves' to be the most vulnerable track on the EP due to its minimalistic instrumental, which gave me room to express my feelings. The song reflects my view of the beach or ocean as a refuge, continuing the themes from my earlier song 'Ponyo.' I talk a lot about how far away a dream is in that song, and ‘Waves’ acts as a sequel, indicating that it’s getting closer. 'Ponyo' was released the day after my mother passed, and while it was created during a rough time, 'Waves' represents a sense of resolution and positivity, marking a shift from sadness to a more hopeful tone.

What inspired you to pursue music? Was there a specific moment that made you take the leap?

Growing up, my family hit a bunch of rough patches, financially. But this didn’t stop my parents from enrolling me in music lessons, where I first began on the piano and cello. I picked up the guitar in church around 4th grade, later on teaching myself the bass and drums in high school. In middle school, I remember my family was struggling with paying the bills, causing us to foreclose our house and move into a tiny apartment in Hamden. Writing poetry was sort of my outlet during that time, and I would write strictly about loss and angst. Eventually I started turning them into raps and began freestyling to songs like ‘Love Yourself’ by Justin Bieber. As time passed, a more confident version of me started playing in a high school cover band and later filled in for a frat band called Coi during my first semester at Southern Connecticut. Initially, my high school band, Bad Habits, was a cover band, but as I wrote more songs, I realized I could create my own set with a few covers. In 2022, my friend, Luke McDonald set up a show in Milford, and at that moment, I felt like my dream had become tangible. Live performances always inspired me, and I knew I wanted to pursue that, even though my parents were initially unsupportive. They wanted me to become a nurse or something in the medical field, as most Filipinos do. I made it a point to show them every achievement—pictures, videos, and reviews—to prove that my music career was gaining traction. I told my mom I wanted to be a singer, not follow the typical path many in my community, especially in Connecticut, take. My goal is to inspire others to follow their own unconventional dreams.

"Allison" is another intriguing song on the EP. What’s the backstory, and what themes did you explore in this track?

J: Two summers ago, I met this girl named Allison who was really amazing. Unfortunately, she had to leave for college in London. We lost touch for a while, but after five months, I realized how much I missed her. I started reflecting on how she had been a warm presence in my life for just one season and how deeply I was drawn to her, even though we had only known each other for a short time. When she returned from school, I wrote a song about her and let her know it was inspired by our time together. Her reaction was a bit awkward, but we’re still friends. Eventually, I had to be honest with her and admit that my feelings went beyond friendship. I needed to protect my peace, and she was very understanding about it.

You recently performed in Indiana. How was that experience for you?

J: Indiana was a blast because it was our first time in the Midwest, and we were genuinely excited about the road trip. It’s like Connecticut but flatter. The show was definitely a highlight, but the road trip itself was also a great experience, despite a few rough patches along the way. Went to a hookah lounge for the first time, hit up the local Denny’s, and sold a buncha t-shirts.

Did the car break down lol?

J: No, but my friend Claire did have an encounter with a large black bear outside our place in Pennsylvania. After that, we headed to Indiana, where we stayed at a Girl Scouts campground managed by the Church of Unification—a huge religious movement. It had been ages since I'd been camping, so it was a unique experience. We slept in platform tents in the woods and spent our downtime playing basketball and soccer at the sports camp. Despite getting thoroughly beaten in the games, the people were incredibly kind, and we had a great time. A special shout-out to Joo Hee for inviting us! We even sold some merch and signed a few foreheads, which was pretty cool. We’d love to return next year for a short tour.

Your artist name, "Esmer,". How did you decide on it, and what does it represent for you?

J:That's actually a funny question. I was having such a hard time deciding what I would name my project. I remember back in like 2018 or 2019 my dad got me my first recording equipment, and it was headphones, a mic and the audio interface. He wanted me to do a Lady Gaga cover of ‘Shallow’ and I didn’t even know how to use the equipment yet. A little bit under a year passed, and I started, like, learning how to use the equipment more. And I was like, if my dad didn't get me this stuff, I'd probably just be writing or, I wouldn't have a thing to put all of this on, so I wanted it to be like a homage to my dad, because his last name is Esmer, which is of Turkish descent. But we have no Turkish blood. It's really cryptic.

The EP closes with the title track, “Achilles Heel.” Can you share the story behind this song and explain who the voice is at the end?

J: In 2023, my dad and I visited Bagasbas Beach in the Philippines with a group of kids from the Itas tribe, who had never experienced city life. It was a big culture shock for them, seeing a mall for the first time and discovering things like arcade machines and soft serve ice cream. We took them to a reserve where they could play and enjoy good food. During our visit, I performed a few songs and invited them to join in on 'Achilles Heel.' They picked it up quickly, and it was a touching moment. My uncle, Tito Ryan, helped translate since my Tagalog isn’t perfect. The kids were incredibly sweet and enthusiastic.

After completing this EP, did you discover anything new about yourself that you hadn't realized before?

J: I've learned that asking for help is okay, which was a new realization for me. In the past, I was a bit of a control freak with my music projects. Letting go and collaborating with others has been incredibly freeing and has improved the process. It’s not about diminishing your work but about bringing others along and enhancing the creative journey. Working on this EP has been a great emotional release. It allowed me to express feelings I struggled to articulate before. The standout tracks, like 'Second Street' and 'Achilles Heel,' are products of both personal effort and collaboration. For 'Second Street,' Izzy helped shape the guitar tone, drawing inspiration from artists like MkGee and the vibe of Prince's 'Purple Rain.' Mike and I used a range of effects to achieve that sound, including a unique pedal setup for the powerful guitar solo. Overall, I'm thrilled with how the EP turned out and the emotional depth it conveys.

The EP features standout guitar solos, particularly on tracks like “2nd Street” and “Achilles Heel,” which we’re big fans of. Are you the one crafting those sounds, or is it more of a collaborative effort?

J: For 'Second Street,' Izzy helped me craft the guitar tone, suggesting I layer it with my voice. I drew inspiration from MkGee, a fantastic artist with a unique guitar sound. While I couldn’t replicate it exactly, I aimed to capture his essence. For 'Achilles Heel,' I wanted the vibe of Prince's 'Purple Rain.' I told Mike my vision, and he helped achieve that by creating a grungy drum sound with a massive pedal board. He used multiple distortion pedals and delay effects to craft the guitar solo, giving it that iconic 'Purple Rain' feel.

What can fans look forward to for the rest of the year? Any exciting plans you can share?

J: I'm working on a new album, though I haven’t started recording it yet. It’s going to be a clean slate with all new music. While it will take some time to develop, I’ve already begun thinking about the concepts and have been inspired by artists like Fontaines D.C., Japanese Breakfast, Jeff Buckley, Frank Ocean, and Miguel. My goal is to build a fresh sound while maintaining elements familiar from my previous work. I’m also hoping for a spring tour with some friends and have a few shows lined up. Stay tuned for updates and new music!

Justin: Thank you Izzy, Khi, Claire, Joe, Ben, Cam, Adam, Darien, Neo, Mike, Luca, Alexis, Jomelene, Matt, Dean, Nancy, Mishel, Roma, Giuseppe, Ate, Kuya, Papa, and Mama

As we wrap up this interview with Justin, it's clear his journey with Achilles Heel has been a powerful and personal one. We've watched his growth over the years, and as he gears up for new projects and potential tours, we're excited to see where his music will take him next. On a personal note, Justin was the first artist to let us photograph his performance, which played a huge role in launching this blog. His support has been a major boost, showing just how generous he is both as an artist and as a person. So, keep an eye on Justin Esmer—he’s definitely one to watch. Thanks for hanging out with us, groupies, and catch you next time!

All our love,

Your Favorite Groupies