When I meet Jessica at Mobys Marine Pub she is just finishing her dinner (apparently food is very important when you are on the road). Dressed in a slightly faded sleeveless black T she looks like she could be right at home fronting up a rock band for the evening – but the dominating presence of her huge 13 string Koto on the stage sets the scene for a more diverse musical experience.
Born in Vancouver, Jessica comes from a very musical background – her mother was an ethno-musicologist who played many different instruments including the Koto.
Jessica studied the Koto for a year when she lived in Japan with her parents when she was in grade 4, and on their return to Vancouver continued to play duets with her mother, who owned two of these impressive instruments.
She almost bought her own Koto from a dealership in Toronto (the only dealership in Canada!) and was on her way to the dealership armed with lots of buying advice from her parents – when they called to offer her their second koto! Apparently this arrived the very next day in the form of a huge fed-ex parcel, ready to become part of her music career.
Jessica grew up hearing a lot of classical, musical theatre and ethnic music but was also into Cyndi Lauper and Michael jackson (her older sister's influence apparently!) As her own tastes developed she found The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Led Zep as well as loving the sound of funk and soul. Jazz came later with Jessica beginning to relate to some of the more modern jazz sounds she heard on college radio.
She describes her music as a having a "jazzy art pop feel", but says that the new material has a much stronger rock presence – although she also stresses that the chord progressions and structure are still her own creation – and definitely not commercial! She is equally at home playing a jazz festival as a rock festival or world music event.
The new album is probably called Two Sides to Every Story - possibly in part referencing the multiple sides of Jessica's musical influences.
Some of the sounds Jessica currently has on her play list are:
The tour is nearly over with just Victoria and Vancouver to go after which Jessica`s plans include working on the new album; a joint tour with The DoneFors; more collaborative music videos; Brampton Indie Arts festival and maybe getting back to Japan at some point make some connections and hone her koto skills!
That should keep her busy….
This is the third time Jessica has played Mobys, and looking to the nights gig Jessica said "I love to be on the Island" and was looking forward to playing a larger venue (compared to some on the tour) where the band could actually make some noise!
My only regret is that I had a previous engagement that evening, so I didn't get to go and see the band in action. Maybe next time, as I am sure they will be back!
The Jessica Stuart Few have an album out call Kid Dream, and their new album, Two Sides to Every Story will be out out in 2012.
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