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Jess Klein
Drawing Them Nearer
by Jay House
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Six
years ago Rochester, NY native, singer-songwriter Jess Klein decided
to spend a year studying in Kingston, Jamaica. On a whim she brought
her dad's old acoustic guitar, though she had never studied guitar
before. Her broad range of creative interests had, however included
study of classical music and clarinet, creative writing and 10 years
of ballet training. So Jess taught herself a few chords and once
in Jamaica discovered a weekly gathering of dub poets who she joined
on Monday nights. It was among these peers that Jess found she had
a knack for setting words to music and began developing her talents
as a songwriter and performer. When she returned, Jess decided to
settle in Boston where she felt she would find a receptive audience
while she continued to hone her craft.
Jess played extensively in Boston-area clubs to growing popular
and critical acclaim. In 1998 she released an independent album,
Wishes Well Disguised, selling 6,000 copies at performances
alone. She also earned four Boston Music Award nominations, including
one for Female Singer/Songwriter of the Year. Touring with artists
like 10,000 Maniacs, Jill Sobule and Luka Bloom and playing at the
Newport Folk Festival expanded her audience and brought her to the
attention of George Howard at Rykodisc.
Recording her 2000 release, Draw Them Near signified a change
for Jess Klein. Moving from the role of solo performer with acoustic
accompaniment has allowed her to expand her songwriting vision.
With Rykodisc and George Howard, Jess was able to bring on a full
band comprised of some of Americana and Alternative-Country's best,
including Wilco drummer Ken Coomer, bassist Brad Jones (Matthew
Sweet, Ron Sexsmith) and guitarist Will Kimbrough (Kim Richey, Josh
Rouse).
Draw Them Near is a well-crafted album of pop music, with
evidence of influences as diverse as the Memphis Stax sound, Lucinda
Williams-esque country-folk, and P.J Harvey-style intensity. Jess
Klein's clear alto delivers her songs with refreshing honesty, while
the talented band offers up rich interpretations of her music.
I talked with Jess Klein in December 2000 about some of the events
of the last few months. |
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WOMANROCK:
Describe how it felt to work with band members while recording Draw
Them Near after working on your own in the past.
Jess Klein:
I started off performing on my own originally, and not collaborating.
But when I write songs I hear other songs, counter rhythms, and
melodies so it's more natural to have other musicians. I don't feel
like I am doing a song justice [if I play it alone]. I chose these
musicians based on their versatility. When I write a song I get
the melody for the chorus first and then figure out which words
express the feeling without getting in the way. Then I go back and
reconstruct the verses. I don't have one sound so I want the music
to go wherever it [wants to go].
WOMANROCK:
Have you been back to Jamaica or stayed in touch with any of the
musicians or poets you met there? Have you considered any collaborations?
Jess Klein:
I have not been back, but I have stayed in touch over E-mail with
one of the dub poets I met there. I wonder what it would do to me.
I feel like it would require a lot to return. I didn't know why
I was going then, but now when I look back it all makes sense. People
have said 'but there's no reggae on your album.' But Jamaica is
such a musical place, people were making different kinds of music
all the time.
WOMANROCK:
Do you feel a connection between your creative outlets of the past
and the art you do now? Do you think they come from the same place?
Jess Klein:
Yes and no. When I first started writing songs, it felt like nothing
I had ever done before. I was used to using my mind in a creative
way but it really felt like I had a unique way of doing it and that
there was this never-ending well, that there'd always be some way
I could find music. There are so many parts to a song, the story,
scene, what the characters are going to do, what is the sound, how
do you sing it, what instruments … I am a person who likes to do
a lot of things all at once, so it suits me. Songwriting did not
totally come out of nowhere, but my creativity was just a fantasy
before and this felt more grounded even though there's a big element
of fantasy.
WOMANROCK:
When you read critics' comments about areas where they think you
have room for improvement, how does it make you feel? Has it impacted
your goals or plans?
Jess Klein:
At first it was a little jarring. Ultimately I am very proud of
this record, but it's just one step. It was recorded in 12 days
and it was meant to bring these songs to life. I don't feel like
I have written my best songs yet, so [these criticisms] line up
with my feelings. It is important to invest in seeing your work
as a separate entity from yourself.
WOMANROCK:
What has it been like to tour so extensively over the past couple
of years?
Jess Klein:
This summer, when Draw Them Near came out, it was time to
step up and be focused. It's a test of faith. It's really intense.
I've been on the road almost straight since August. I have learned
to appreciate music more since you can't really control most things.
You don't know what you're going to eat or where you're going to
sleep but you always have the music. It's been a whirlwind.
WOMANROCK:
What's your favorite venue to play?
Jess Klein:
I had a great show at the Paradiso in Amsterdam recently, so I guess
that's my current favorite.
WOMANROCK:
What's your favorite record of 2000?
Jess Klein:
I really like PJ Harvey's Stories from the City, Stories from
the Sea, Ryan Adams' Heartbreaker, Paul Simon's You're
the One, Erin McKeown's Distillation (she's a friend
of mine), and the Willard Grant Conspiracy's Everything's Fine.
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_________________________________
For
more information on Jess Klein, check out:
http://www.jessklein.com |
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_________________________________
Jay House is a freelance writer living in Long Island. Her work
can be found at Cybergrrl.com. , as well as WOMANROCK.com.
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