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
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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.
Her debut E.P. 'Painted Faces' was released 19th October 2013 and has already got the attention of a lot of people in the UK. The response and feedback from radio stations, podcasts and online radio stations has been amazing. Lots of fantastic reviews, airplay and invites for live sessions. The first track 'Take A Walk' has even been featured on BBC 6 Music!
The 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.
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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.
Her debut E.P. 'Painted Faces' was released 19th October 2013 and has already got the attention of a lot of people in the UK. The response and feedback from radio stations, podcasts and online radio stations has been amazing. Lots of fantastic reviews, airplay and invites for live sessions. The first track 'Take A Walk' has even been featured on BBC 6 Music!
The 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.