“A must-see live performer.”
Muarice Starr
Independent pop-rock artist Jody Whitesides has always had a sharp eye for society’s contradictions, and Sex (Everybody’s Talkin’ ’bout) is proof. Originally released on Delicate Stretch of the Seems in 1997, this hard rock anthem cuts through the noise of censorship, moral panic, and media obsession with a riff-driven clarity that feels as urgent now as it did then.
At its core, the song is a fearless critique of America’s strange double standard with sex—celebrated in advertising, ridiculed on airwaves, and censored by politics and religion. Jody channels frustration into fire, crafting a song that challenges the listener to stop cowering, start thinking, and take responsibility for what they consume.
The track features some of his earliest nods to guitar legend Joe Satriani, complete with a whammy-bar-driven solo that refuses to play it safe. Studio stories add another layer: overlapping chorus vocals that slyly contrast each other, riffs that may have inspired contemporaries recording nearby, and the frustrations of ADAT recording technology—later overcome with modern remixing and Melodyne magic.
“[Jody’s] performances and material show lots of skill and craft without sacrificing heart or conviction.”
Music Connection Magazine
After initial studies at Berklee in Boston, Jody flew west to achieve his ambitions, studying at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood. An LA showcase performance caught the ear of a talent scout, and soon thereafter, entertainment impresario Maurice Starr became interested as a consultant. Given Starr’s track record, his desire to work with Jody is not one to be taken lightly.
Central to Jody’s potential is his tireless work ethic and fighter’s heart. As a former competitive athlete — in freestyle skiing, he was ranked among the top 20 in the US. Now on he’s on the verge of turning pro in the sport of pickleball. He’s learned the tenacity and effort required to achieve his ambitions. He brings that fiery drive from the slopes and the courts to the studio and the stage.
Much like Jody and his towering, 6’4” frame, “Sex (Everybody’s Talkin’ ’bout)” stands taller than ever. Its message of free speech, self-responsibility, and musical rebellion is as relevant in today’s climate of surveillance and moral judgment as it was in the late ’90s. This is Jody Whitesides—an artist unafraid to take risks, to mix humor with truth, and to shout louder when others want silence.
“I love that song [of Jody’s]. That’s commercial. That’s a hit.”
Frosty, Heidi & Frank (97.1 KLSX FM, Los Angeles)
And the journey continues: next week, another re-release digs even deeper into his creative vault.
Jody is endorsed by Taylor Guitars, Sennheiser, G7th, Seymour Duncan Pickups, Joe’s Guitars, Cleartone Strings, Studio Devil, Red Wirez, iZotope, Native Instruments, Plugin Alliance, Grosh Guitars, Telefunken, and Line 6.