Indie Music Women’s Artist of the Day is…

Jess McAllister (@jessmcallisteroffical)

The music of Exeter based Jess McAllister spans from free-spirited, nostalgic folk, through to rhythmic, gutsy blues, rock and pop. Switching effortlessly on stage between electric guitar, banjo and piano, she blends her honey dipped vocals and her craft of songwriting with live performances filled with spontaneity, passion, and pure heart.

Her upcoming single ‘The Bushiest Of Beards’  will be released along with a video on 28th February 2021. The song is a fun revenge story, stemming from when a man with a beard bullied her for a prolonged period of her life, stripping her of all self-esteem. It is a song for anyone who has been made to feel unworthy, and although the anti-bullying nature of the track is deadly serious, the song uplifts with humour and joy.

THE VIDEO is a self shot creation, filmed and edited by Jess at home; it is visually vibrant, filled with pastel shades and colourful performances. This is not the first time Jess has created a video with a strong feminist theme behind it, she released ‘I Am A Woman’ on International Women’s Day, a surreal video shot in super slow-motion where the balloon of insecurity and self-doubt is popped, only to reveal an explosion of colour and laughter.

Courage Fear, Jess’s debut album, was released during the height of the first lockdown. The album was produced by Michael Mormecha (who also drummed on the record), and features double bass from Lukas Drinkwater, and strings from Laura McFadden and Rachel Boyd. Much of the album swells with tremolo-laced electric guitar, occasionally more pounding distorted rock vibes; yet it is also peppered with folkier, more acoustic tracks, and banjo numbers which bridge a gap between deep melancholy and resounding joy. Somehow this variation of styles ebbs and flows throughout the record, the different sounds juxtaposing in complete harmony.

Since March Jess has been keeping busy, balancing homeschooling with socially distanced interviews and performances, most recently with a string quartet for an online worldwide charity concert as a part of Music Feeds.

Previous to Covid restrictions, Jess has toured all over the UK, Ireland, and Germany, and has performed in major festivals such as Glastonbury, Meadows in the Mountains (Bulgaria), Boomtown, and Beautiful Days. She has also taken part in sessions such as ‘Under the Apple Tree’, which is filmed in Bob Harris’s back garden. (apparently, he was lovely).

Jess’s band consists of:

• Lucy Piper on drums (https://lucypiperdrums.com/)

• Abi Crisp on lead guitar

• Matt Gordon on bass

• Jake Miller guitar/bas

During the recent Covid crisis, often stuck at home reeling over cancelled shows, lost opportunities and buried in home-schooling, I have found a beautiful new authenticity in my creations. My silver lining perhaps?

The important thing as an artist, aside from writing music you love to perform, is to always be yourself. I have learned that I stand for certain things, and I want to reflect these in my artistry for as long as I continue to create. I always want to make art which makes people feel EMPOWERED, or to simply engage in their untapped melancholy or joy… but I also don’t ever want to try to be anything which feels forced.

I am a woman, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister and a very devoted, trusted friend. I am a lot of fun, a lot of the time. I hate injustice. I’ve never been a part of the cool gang. I make really good coffee, I sing ALL THE TIME,  and I hate touching cheese. I refuse to shave my armpits ever again, or to do anything unless I have a damned good reason to. I will never again try to be better for someone who doesn’t deserve it.

Jess shared what it means to her personally to be an indie music woman artist:

“Taking the rough with the smooth! I love writing and playing music, it’s my heart and soul, but I’ve recently learned how to take control over and manage my own PR, which feels so empowering! Sometimes being independent feels lonely, but then I get on stage with my band, and that all melts away!”