Jessica-Jade is Australia’s newest pop, country music sensation.
After flying to Nashville to record the EP alongside the CMAA’s (Country Music Association of Australia) Producer of the Year, Matt Fell (Tim Freedman, Josh Pyke, Slim Dusty, Troy Cassar-Daley) and co-producer Sam Hawksley, Jessica-Jade describes the experience and resulting EP as “an achievement I am most proud of.”
Jessica-Jade first picked up a guitar at age fifteen and hasn’t put it down since. Motivated by powerful female vocalists, it was artists like Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morrisette who inspired her to sing. She also credits Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Beyonce as influences that helped shape her diverse country sound, while maintaining a strong pop sensibility. “I’m not really trying to be the next anyone. I’m just being the first me,” says Jessica-Jade.
After submerging herself in a world of playing guitar and singing for just one year, Jessica-Jade was chosen to be a part of the Tamworth Country Music College of Australia and sang her way in to the grand final of The Telstra Road To Tamworth, winning many fans along the way. She also made it in to the Top 100 on Australian Idol that year.
Drawing her lyrics from personal adventures and emotions, Jessica-Jade and wants listeners to feel instantly comfortable with her music. “I want my music to be your favourite pair of blue jeans”, she says, “I love music and lyrics that play with our emotions, melodies that inspire our minds to imagine and dream”.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
My earliest memory would be when I played The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ – Your guardian angel, at my schools end of year assembly when I was 15 in front of the entire school.
In my first week of high school, There was a girl who was rocking out on the guitar at one of the school performances playing something like Smoke on the water … I thought it was the best thing ever, I went home that day and grabbed all my savings and bought myself my first electric guitar.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What and where was the first gig you went to?
Black Eyed Peas at Rod Laver Arena 2005… I was 15.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Johnny Cash, Journey and Suzi Quatro, they are my all time favourites that I have stolen. They just bring back all the memories from when I was younger when my parents would play the records over and over. I have also stolen a compilation CD with the song Jolene – Dolly Parton, just so I don’t have to listen to my mum sing it.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Matt Corby, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Boy and bear
How do you find new music?
Myspace!! My sister always has a great collection of new music too.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
I have a ring that I always wear which my grandmother gave to me and I always sing along to an Adele song before a show, just gets me in the zone I guess.
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have (attractions/food/bars etc)?
It would have to be at some secluded area with the stage right near a massive lake area incase it’s a scorcher of a day .
There would be two main stages, so people don’t miss out on any of the acts with the capacity to hold around 3000 people.
Lineup would consist of : Alanis Morrissette, Matt Corby, Boy and Bear, Foo Fighters, Avalanche City, The jezabels, Michael Paynter, John Mayor, The Band Perry , Lady Antebellum, Paramore… a mix of my favourites of course…
When you’re Rolling Stones Big, what are you going to request on your rider: don’t be shy. We want specifics!
A pool Table, Vanilla incense, Gatorade, a platter of fruit without any form of melon. Bottles of water, Hot honey Tea and Grape flavoured Hubba Bubba.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
Missy Higgins!!! She writes the most beautiful and truthful lyrics, I love the way I can always connect with her music.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
Most probably some soapy drama television show or movie.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
My Debut EP Launch!!! March 8th at Revolver Upstairs.
My EP ‘The steps we took’ will also be available on that date.
