Pocket Fire is an Alternative Rock band based out of Carrollton, GA. They have been active in the music industry since February of 2023. Combining their individual influences and years of experience, they work tirelessly to explore, and push, the boundaries of Rock, Pop, R&B, Funk, and Jazz. Aptly coining their own genre term ‘Intergalactic Alt-Rock’. On Halloween of 2023, they released a gypsy-jazz style single along with a music video on YouTube entitled “Grandaddy Longleg”. They have since released that song as a single, as well as two others: “Planetarium”, which incorporates elements of Progressive Rock and World Music, and “Pockets On Fire” which is a Funk Rock track that showcases their drummer Jeremy on lead vocals, as well as John Paul’s compositional skills with the song’s horn arrangement. Pocket Fire’s lead singer/ guitarist/ songwriter/ producer/ mixing & mastering engineer John Paul Barry, is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. John Paul is a experienced songwriter, producer, performer, and music instructor who’s style of guitar playing covers a wide rage of genres and is heavily steeped in a rich knowledge of music theory and improvisation. Lead singer/ drummer/ songwriter Jeremy Neese, is an accomplished songwriter, producer, and performer. He is an experienced luthier who has spent years building and repairing instruments of all kinds, he is also protégés when it comes to building or repairing electrical work with all types of musical equipment. Jeremy has been writing music his entire life and is the founder and creative force behind multiple bands and side projects. In Pocket Fire, Jeremy embodies the term ‘pocket’ through his ability to craft soulful and tasty drumbeats which serve as the foundation and heartbeat of the band. Pocket Fire’s newest member and bassist Alex Ansaldo, has a Masters degree in Music Performance from the University of West Georgia and currently works as a music teacher and band director for a local school. Together this trio is a forced to be reckoned with, pulling from multiple styles and musical backgrounds to create something new and exciting that is sure to enrich the Alternative Rock scene worldwide!
-Interview- (11/17/25)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound?
I’ve always been into playing music ever since I was a little kid. My dad was in blues band and I felt a draw to the guitar particularly. I had an amazing teacher who taught me from the very beginning how to improvise and be a creative player. This foundation helped a lot to shape me into the musician I am today.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
We just want people to have fun and enjoy it. I’ve always found music to be a way for me to be imaginative. Sometimes I use music to escape from reality, so that’s why the music we make stays on the positive, upbeat (and sometimes etherial) side. The world can be dark and depressing enough, we don’t want to add any more of those emotions with our art!
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
We like to dip our toes in multiple genres, while at the same time we try to keep our own unique ‘sound’ in tact. What that ‘sound’ is can be hard to explain. I would say that we’re mostly Rock at our core, but putting us completely in one genre is always difficult. Give it a listen and see for yourself! (Hint: you’ll have to listen to more then one song to get the general scope).
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
The Black Keys, Cage The Elephant, and The Strokes.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
It’s a big change for sure but I think it will all turn out okay eventually. Back when recorded music first became a thing, the AFM banned its members from recording in studios. They were upset because it ‘replaced live musicians’. I think AI will just become another tool for us to use in our creative process. In the meantime, we’re going to start putting ‘No AI’ labels on all of our music and lyrics just so people know we don’t personally use it. It’s super depressing to have someone listen to a song that you’ve spent hours, even days, working on and say “Oh that’s good, is it AI?”. Also, the stuff AI does IS insanely good haha. We just don’t want to become creatively impotent so that’s why we don’t wish to use it.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Alternative Rock?
When I look at the Billboard HOT 100 I am always surprised to see how little Rock is represented in, what I’m assuming is, the ‘worlds top current songs’. I see this as a opportunity waiting to be filled, it just needs the right circumstances to develop. Hip-Hop and Country have dominated popular music for a long time and I think people are ready for something different. History always comes full circle, so maybe we’ll see more Rock in the near future but with a different twist on it then the old Rock. Hopefully Pocket Fire can create that new twist:)
7. What’s the current music scene like there in Georgia?
Lots of Indie bands, at least in the Atlanta area. There is a pretty big scene here for Metal bands (which have so many sub genres now it’s hard to keep up). Another popular local genre is Shoegaze which I’ve seen a couple bands of and I don’t really get it. There is also a fairly decent amount of Folk and Blues depending on where you go. Of course Hip-Hop is an Atlanta staple. Further into the middle of Georgia and rural areas, you get a ton of Country and Southern Rock. Especially at frat parties!
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
My take is that unless you are a mega pop star, don’t expect to be earning any income at all through streaming. Releasing your music on Spotify is solely to have a convenient place to send people to listen to it. I’m not salty about it by any means, it was bound to happen this way ever since Napster came out back in the early 2000’s. Musicians just need to focus on other income streams in order to make a living, luckily there are lots of ways to make money as a musician in today’s economy.
9. What’s next for Pocket Fire?
We currently have three songs released on Spotify and about eight more ready to go. We plan to do one release per month until we have enough for a full length album, we then plan to release our first album and start hitting the local venues! During that time we will also be shopping ourselves around for potential management opportunities once we have a following and a solid product.
10. Any shoutouts?
Shoutouts to our close friend and recording engineer David Pippin. All of the band’s family members who we’d be lost without. Our previous keyboard player Justin Tarver who had to leave the band because he got into LSU, we’re proud of you buddy! My fellow classmates, alumni and all of my professors at Berklee.
