You can see her impromptu video performance of Girl From the North Country below;
The music of Jess McAllister is wholesome, passionate and free-spirited.
Developed naturally from the touchstones of modern folk, her songwriting has grown into an enchanting blend of sound, informed in equal measure by the spontaneity of live performance and an imaginative outlook on life. Swirling with musical inspiration from a young age, Jess played the pub folk circuit in her home town Plymouth before performing and writing with a reggae band during her time at Exeter University. Leaving after three years she took a bold step forward, embracing two lifelong journeys which seemed destined to run in parallel: parenthood, and a solo music career.
Following the birth of her son, Alfred, Jess immersed herself in her songwriting with an enriched understanding of the human heart. Playing small, intimate gigs around Devon she added a tangible tenderness to her honey-dipped vocals and an uproarious fire to her foot-stomping acoustics, guiding captive audiences from raucous appreciation to spellbound silence.
For her E.P, songs grown from sensual piano composition and delicate vocal harmonies are woven with the gathered talents of her musical friends; Cello (Dury Loveridge), double bass (Damien Scarr), violin (John Matthias and Elizabeth Westcott), mandolin (Matt Norman) and drums (Tom Wright). Working with producer (and next door neighbour!) Dan Smith, Jess intertwines the rambling joy of a folk collective with an unusual production style, layering and lacing acoustic roots, haunting harmonies and energetic drums to create an adventurous and individual debut release.
Having just finished touring the UK with Belfast based Alt-Folk band ‘The Emerald Armada’ Jess has come home with a new found energy and excitement for playing her music to her growing audience!
Written by Kim Hillyard from ilikemusic.com
“Heartfelt, emotional lyrics and progressive melodies make you feel Jess is not just singing the songs, she’s living them.” - John Govier BBC Radio Devon
“This singer songwriter creates literary allusions due to leave you in wondrous state!” - Keep The Wolf Magazine
You can see Jess live on the following dates :
Saturday 25th January: Live session for BBC Introducing, Plymouth (aired on BBC Radio Devon)
Thursday 13th February: Gig at Bbar, Plymouth
Monday 17th February: Guesting at a Songsmith Night at Mr Wolfs, Bristol
Tuesday 18th February: Guest spot at Open Mic at the Abbey, Kentish Town, London
Wednesday 19th February: Gig at The Dublin Castle, Camden
For more info visit : www.jessmcallister.co.uk / soundcloud.com/jess_mcallister / jessmcallister.bandcamp.com