MP3 Jess Clemons & The Cooperative - ROCK: Jam-band

Folk pop jam band

10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Jam-band, POP: Folky Pop



Details:
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 â her fans range in age from 8 to 88. 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 shows in New England and beyond.