The keen reader will be familiar with JessicaB, British singer and songwriter with a knack for soothing, acoustic tones and meaningful lyricism. Having featured her on our blog with previous single ‘twelve’, we are now pleased to share the talented newcomer’s latest effort, an acoustic-driven, honest and authentic gem titled ‘naive’.
Leaving behind long textures and bright soundscapes, JessicaB focuses on a more intimate sonic imprint, still drenched in her signature dream pop and shoegaze vibes, especially regarding the spacious vocals and the emotional guitar work. We are big fans of the full band finale, there’s quite a mesmerising leftfield energy in it which perfectly suits Jessica’s melancholic and nostalgic vocal delivery.
Lyrically, the record highlights the uncertain nature of early adulthood and late teenage years, when everyone tries their best to visualize a solid future. In ‘naive’, JessicaB expresses all her artistic poignancy, and we are confident the song will resonate with a wide audience.
Intrigued by the British songstress, we caught up with her to learn more about her artistry and future goals… Interview below!
Hey Jess, how is it going? some of our readers might not be familiar with your project, how would you describe yourself, in a few words?
I’d like to say that I am creative, curious and sensitive!
Your current work is the result of a long journey; What first drew you to making music?
When I was about thirteen or fourteen, I stumbled across a musician called dodie on YouTube. Instantly became a fan of their work, so much so that given the opportunity, I’d always perform covers of their songs in school. They were the person who inspired me to get that classic first ukulele we all start with! Seeing how dodie organically grew her audience really gave me the spark to start my own music journey. I’d also have to say a lot of inspiration for music also comes from the background interest that my family has in music. I can’t forget the fact that me and my friends at primary school would constantly construct little rhymes!
If you had the opportunity to pick any artists in the world for a collaboration, who would be your first choice? (and second choice, perhaps?)
Phoebe Bridgers for sure. Her lyrics are ever so poetic and filled with incredibly smart metaphors. I also love the sense of melody she harnesses within her music. Of course, I must mention Taylor Swift here. What could make my inner child happier!?
You recently released a stunning acoustic effort, ‘naive’. While built on a simple arrangement, there’s a certain ethereal and shoegaze energy in it, which we are big fans of. What does the record mean to you?
The song shows what it means to be unsure of a decision, what you’re doing and, to not be too keen to know best. Everyone can be a little insecure or get it wrong sometimes, it’s everyone’s first try at life. For me, the record represents the fact that it is ok not to know. Naivety perhaps has an inherently negative connotation when in fact it’s something that is just incredibly human.
How do you see your sound evolving? more towards the commercial or leftfield side?
To be honest, I’m not sure! What I can say is that it is imperative to me that my music and sound remain authentic and as a creative process that can be enjoyed.
Do you feel more confident writing music alone, or within a team?
The majority of my music has been written alone however recently, I’ve started to collaborate more with other artists and I have to say, there is something to be said about what can happen when you are able to bounce ideas off each other.
Artistically speaking, what challenges have the last two years presented you with?
I would have to say the process that is learning how to produce. I am still very much on that journey, that is for sure! I first started by writing songs in my bedroom and recording them as voice memos so to learn everything else from scratch has been a challenge. I am ever so grateful for the help I get when it comes down to producing! I feel that I should also mention learning to refine your sound. Not every song needs to be released, it can be better to wait until you’re proud of something. Related to that is perhaps what it means to find your sound. Again, a journey I haven’t finished!
What are the next steps for your project? Anything exciting on the horizon?
As I’m away at university for the summer, I’ve been spending a lot of time writing and experimenting. I’m writing with a few friends at the moment and that is a process that I am really enjoying.
