Just home from her first self-booked and promoted east coast tour, Jess
has landed in Vermont after a successful showcase at the Atlantis Music
Conference in Atlanta, GA, and is the 2nd place winner of the Flat Rock
Music Festival Songwriting Contest.
Jess Clemons considers herself new to songwriting. But you wouldn't guess
it after hearing just a few of her soul-filled songs delivered with her
gutsy, smokey voice. At 22, this Vermont native has self-released two
independent records, toured across Canada and New England, travelled through
South America, and completed a bachelor's degree in Canada. She plays
everything from livingrooms to festivals, and recently filled Nova Scotia's
Al Whittle Theater for her CD release show in February, 2007.
Jess writes personal songs. She spills what most people would keep to
their journals, and because of it, she captivates audiences wherever she
goes. At only 22, she's got a unique knack for songs that tell a personal
story, but have global appeal. Her voice is often compared to that of
Natalie Merchant, Tracy Chapman, and a raspy Bonnie Raitt, and her shows
have recently been likened to that of Ani Difranco, telling (often humorous)
stories of recent travels and day-to-day happenings.
For as long as she can remember, Jess Clemons has tinkered away at the
piano. Her mom put her into piano lessons at a young age and struggled
with it all through secondary school. It wasn't until she left the country
and moved to Nova Scotia that she really found her own playing style and
started to spend entire nights in practice rooms at her university, plugging
away at writing songs that expressed her innermost frustrations, loves,
desires, and commentary on daily life. It was here that she started to
find her own voice build what has become a solid, active fan base.
She started writing more songs, and formed a band with fellow music students
at Acadia University in Wolfville, NS. The band came together over the
last two years. Before Jess' recent move back to the USA, the young and
talented crew opened for Canadian rockers Joel Plaskett, Wintersleep,
and the Trews. Jess has played the 'In The Dead of Winter' Festival in
Halifax, NS, Vancouver Islands' Folk Festival in Duncan, BC, and The Thundering
Women's Festival in Thunderbay, ON. She has shared more intimate stages
with folks such as Rose Cousins, Amelia Curran, and Craig Cardiff. She's
also made guest appearance with Vermont famed rockers Strangefolk and
Mike Gordon (of Phish). On being her own booker/promoter, Jess says, "It's
fulfilling to have control over where you're playing and with whom- and
to know that you made a good show really come together".
Currently sharing her time between her home in Burlington, VT and a houseboat
on Nantucket Island, MA, Jess is busy gardening by the sea and booking
and promoting solo and livingroom shows in New England and beyond.
Buy Jess
CDs
