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You can start whispering now — I’m slowly inching toward a new record. For those who’ve made it out to live shows, you’ve had a sneak peak of some of the new songs already. I’ve been playing a select few at live gigs in recent months and will continue ‘road testing’ some more this summer. Make sure and check out the schedule (here). We always send out reminders for when I’m playing in your area, so make sure and sign up for the email list on my homepage, if you haven’t already.

In the mean time, check out a few of the projects I’ve worked on over the last year. All of these artists are going it indie these days. So make sure, if you like what you hear, to drop by their neighborhood and lend them your support.

Much love,

Jennifer

 

Wyatt Espalin: The Pardon

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Besides the fact that I just plain ole love this guy, he’s a mighty fine singer/songwriter to boot. Seriously, if you find yourself longing for an artist who pulls your heart strings, this is your man. I’ve yet to get through this album without tears.

Thanks Wyatt for letting me sing on one of my all time favorites:

‘Ocoee’

LISTEN IN

 

The Project: Martyrs Prayers

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I would describe this modern recorded project as a “work” rather than a pop record. Duane Arnold and Michael Glen Bell have arranged the prayers and writings of well-known faith figures from Ignatius to Romero with a musical style influenced best described as high church meets Neil Young. I’m inclined to call this a “legacy” record, not because of the rich line-up Christian music greats like Stonehill, Keaggy and Pachelli, but because of the mandatory sense of history required in listening to this project for full appreciation. Arnold & Bell use the lens of modern music to explore deep threads of theology, social justice and spiritual meaning in a world where “hope” and “empathy” are often met with cynicism.

I got my chance to join in on a tune called:
‘Ravensbruck’

 

Paul Colman: From The Saltland To The River

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Paul pieced this little indie ripper together last year. The title says more than I ever could about this record. Like so much of who Paul is to the core, the songs are honest, revealing, and aching for redemption.

Here’s a lovely number I got to sing background on:

‘Love Is Where You Left It’

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Live @ Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR, Nov. 29, 2012

 

We made it! Margaret and I have officially started The Hymns of Christmas Tour. So far we’ve stopped through Denver, Portland and Seattle and are now headed back east for a few days. You may have noticed in our schedule that we are playing at a variety of venues. We’ll find ourselves in clubs, theaters and churches so diverse that we are certain to be kept on our toes. So far I am lovin’ it!

The hard work of the past few months is finally paying off and we are starting to have some real fun! I gotta say, after a couple of years of playing solo, it’s a blast to get the “stage telepathy” going with Maggie B. There’s nothing like pouring it all into a song, looking up and sharing a knowing grin of joy. It’s a kind of joy that let’s you put your whole heart and guts into a song you’ve sung your whole life and still sing it like you just discovered it. Even better is looking up amazed at what’s going on and sharing that moment with the audience. I was beside myself last night – Maggie was floating some outrageous melody through the room and I locked eyes with a gal in the front row…We both just nodded and grinned with an unsaid “wow!”

I am already rueing the fact that we only have 11 more shows left. How can this be?! After we finished last night, I could have done it all again. This tour is one of the most unique and meaningful experiences I’ve had in a very, very long time. We’re making some serious music, pulling a few surprises, and making memories. Come join in the fun! See you there!

 

xo
Jennifer

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I know, I know! It’s not even Thanksgiving yet & I’m already talking Christmas…this year I started thinking about the holidays in July, so don’t even get me started!

There’s nothing quite like invoking images of burning Yule logs and eggnog while melting in the Tennessee summer heat and swatting fat mosquitos. It’s was difficult to not feel a little silly while wearing shorts and a tank top, listening to Bing Crosby sing “White Christmas”. Couple that with the fact that Christmas music, as a general rule makes me think of muzak, which makes me think of shopping malls, which makes me think of crowds of shopping zombies, which reminds me “what am I gonna do for everyone’s presents this year?!,” which stresses me out, and then someone insists on offering me a free sample of a stale piece of fruitcake, I’m hungry, I eat the sliver, I get thirsty & need a coffee, “how ’bout gingerbread latte?” I walk into Starbucks and wait…more Christmas muzak!…Wait! How come they’re not playing me?!

 I’ve always been a bit nervous about contributing to the pantheon of holiday music. Who wants to risk dethroning one of the Top 50 Worst Christmas records of all time? I mean – I love music. I love Christmas, but pitfall of Christmas music is that everybody knows the songs. As an artist, the immediate temptation is to do something so different and unique that you end up mutilating something that was simple and beautiful.  Thanks to albums like “Yuletide Disco” & “Christmas with Kazoo” (as in, a whole record with kazoo as the primary instrument (of torture!)), I’ve been hesitant to be accused of making yet another clanger.

All that being said, it’s no wonder that it took a good friend and inspiring artist like Margaret Becker to entice me into some holiday cheer. Maybe it was the Pinot, but before I knew it, the simple exercise of two musicians sitting around and plunking out some old Christmas hymns turned into something really special. With teeny budget, a little gear, and a lot of moxie, our little adventure turned into an actual record!

Margaret and I have sought to love these old hymns as if we’d heard them for the first time. Applying strict guidelines of simplicity, we vowed to honor the original tunes yet not stifle our style. Somewhat ironic to our lives as solo artists, each of us found ourselves fighting to see who could be part of the landscape and not the focal point. But perhaps the most surprising to me, was a sense of wonder about the actual story of Christ’s birth. Crazy what all that singing of new life, joy and renewed hope can do for a soul.

I can be downright cynical when it comes to the commercial trappings of the holidays. Sometimes I fight so hard – judging the chintzy little snow globe before giving it a shake and imagining the world inside. I could have had yet another Christmas where I ran through the mall as fast as possible, crossing off items on a list in a materialistic grab for happiness and praise…but then this record happened and I remembered something I often act too cool to remember: Hope. The thrill of it helps this weary girl rejoice!

 

Merry Early Christmas!
xoxo
Jennifer