rock

Photo courtesy of Kristi Jacque

Alt-rock indie artist Kristi Jacques lived and breathed music in the early 1990s. She had embedded herself in the local Charleston, SC music scene running a local music store, writing for the local entertainment magazine, taking guitar lessons and singing occasionally. But later on, life got in the way, the negative voices in head would win, and she let her musical side slip away.

Kristi didn’t pick up a guitar again for over 25 years.

In 2020 she began watching YouTube videos of one particular artist and was really moved by his lyrics and melodies. It inspired her to clean up her late brother’s guitar, find a great guitar teacher, and co-writers. She had found herself again through music and on a new path.

Her debut album, “Mosaic”, was released in 2022. In early 2023 she covered the Eurythmics hit, “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This”. In March 2023, Kristi dropped her latest single, “Scorched Earth”, a track from her forthcoming second album, Working on a Dream.

The South Carolina based artist says she hopes she can translate her love and passion for music onto others.

I recently interviewed Kristi about her new single, picking up a guitar after 25 years, her cover of the Eurythmics’ hit song, running a music store, writing for a music magazine, finding herself though music again, her musical journey, and much more.

Congratulations, Kristi, on your latest single release, “Scorched Earth”.  What is the theme? What would you like for listeners to take away from it?

Thanks so much. The theme of the single is something I care deeply about, which is climate change. I know that it can be a tricky topic for some, but I just had to get it out. We just need to be aware of what is going on, learn more and make some small simple changes. Nothing will ever be solved if we ignore it and do nothing.

Tell us more about your second album, Working on a Dream, scheduled to be released on April 28th. What can we expect?

Well, the title track is being released on April 21^st, but the album release date has been pushed to May 5^th. This album has 6 original songs along with one cover. The originals are just a continuation. I write songs that are personal to me, from the heart.

You recorded an amazing cover of the Eurythmics 1983 breakout hit “Sweet Dreams are Made of This”. What inspired your rock version?

I’ve always loved the Eurythmics and particularly this song. I didn’t want to stray too far from the original song, just add a little twist to it, some heavier songs. I have my producer Tavis Stanley to thank for that.

In high school you took chorus and then vocal studies in classical and opera. Why did you study them? How has that training influenced your vocals today?  

Those studies really helped me develop and strengthen my voice and my sound. Of course, when you stop singing for a couple of decades, it’s pretty much like starting over again, but I know what to do.

Your late brother was the musician in your family who played guitar, wrote songs, and sang in a Christian band, called Sweet Spirit. You mention he was also your idol. Explain how he influenced your musical journey. 

I used to practice on one of his guitars. I learned how to play one of his original songs, Emily, then too. I unfortunately don’t remember it and I can’t find a copy of it anywhere. When I do find it, I would like to relearn and perhaps record it in his honor. He was amazing and I miss him every day, especially when I look up on my wall and see his guitars. It’s like he’s there with me.

Many years ago you embedded yourself into the Charleston, NC music scene, including singing, taking guitar lessons at and running a local music store, as well as writing for a local entertainment magazine. Any favorite memories you could share about that time? How did you get the opportunity to write for the magazine? What artists and bands did you write about? 

That was a really fun time for me and happy memories. This is the store that all of the local musicians came to and many worked in. I made some lifelong friends there. We used to have guitar and drum clinics and I got to meet and get to know incredible musicians like Steve Morse, Dave LaRue, Van Romain, Rod Morganstein. I’m actually still friends with a couple of them all these years later.

The magazine was run by a good friend, and I wrote for him and did deliveries around town. I used to do album reviews. Once, I was given a demo tape (yes, a cassette tape lol) to listen to and review. It was Eric Bass’ (now in Shinedown) band. I don’t think I ever actually wrote a review for it at the time, but I found that cassette several years ago and gave it back to him. He was shocked to say the least, saying he was sure it was pure gold.

In 2020, you picked up a guitar again after not doing so for 25 years. That’s a very long time. You say you had let the musical side of yourself slip away. Why do you think that happened? Who was the artist and how did they inspire you to play again after “going down the YouTube rabbit hole”?

I let life get in the way and I let all of the negative voices in my head win. I had nothing to do in 2020 for awhile, so I started watching YouTube and listened to more of Myles Kennedy than I ever had. I had been listening to him with his band Alter Bridge and his work with Slash, but this was different. I watched him playing acoustic and singing. Most of his songs, lyrics and melodies really move me.

In all honesty, he really changed my life then and that is a debt I don’t think I can every repay. I found myself again through music.

Explain how it felt to play guitar, write songs, and record again after getting back on a new path with a great guitar teacher and co-writers and “a stack of old lyrics”.  

This is the happiest I’ve ever been. This journey is one I never thought I would take, especially so much later in life than most. And, I am really “All In”.  Music is pretty much all I do now, and I tell people that it is the most expensive job/career I’ve ever had. But it is very fulfilling.

What does it mean to you personally to be an indie music woman artist?

I can do what I want, write what I want, and I don’t really follow any rules. It does mean I have to work a bit harder to get noticed, but all in due time.

How do you think women artists can be better supported in the indie music industry?

I wish I had a solid answer for that, because I think about it all of the time. There are really so many of us out there. The music industry has changed so much that it is hard to navigate. 

What is your favorite guitar to play and why?    

Oh wow. Once I started back, I became a guitar addict. I currently own 9, including two of my brother’s. I love my Tremonti PRS and my Fender Telecaster, but my favorite electric guitar has to be my newest in the lineup. It is an Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic guitar. I saw it at Gibson Garage when I was in Nashville a couple of years ago. I didn’t take it home that day, but I then purchased it online as a reward to myself when my debut album was complete. My Martin Grand Performance acoustic, is however the guitar I play most often. I just love it.   

What is your favorite microphone for performing and/or recording and why?

I took it with me to Nashville the beginning of the year and the studio there is now planning on purchasing their own. It’s my go to.

What other projects do you have planned for this year?

Speaking of Nashville, I was there the end of January/first of February recording at Off The Row Studio in Franklin, TN. I worked with some truly incredible session players and recorded 4 songs for an upcoming EP. I should be releasing those singles starting in June. Other than that, I am just still writing, practicing, and learning new things. The fun really lies in this journey I’m on. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

 

Follow Kristi Jacque on Instagram @kristi_jacques and her Spotify Artist Page. 

For more information, go to www.kristijacquemusic.com