After breaking through with her brilliant debut single 'I Wonder If I'll Forget This' earlier this year, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jess Kerber continues her upward ascent with her shimmering new offering 'Next To You'.
Capturing another heady dose of those riveting indie-folk aesthetics she is quickly earning a reputation for, 'Next To You' makes for a beautifully warm and endearing listen. With her lofty vocals layered across a sweeping acoustic-led production throughout, she is certainly looking to make a lasting impression with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The acoustic guitar big time!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up listening to a lot of the 60/70s Woodstock-era kind of music; but also jazz musicians like Bill Evans. I was interested in classical composers too, as well as The Allman Brothers. I was just so, so excited about all music.
What was the first album you remember owning?
For the Roses by Joni Mitchell.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
"The Park” by Feist.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Not really - I never sit down with the intention of writing a song, because when I do that, it never actually happens. I definitely collect a lot of different lines and such in my notes app on my phone, as they come to me throughout the day. And it’ll usually all come together once I finally write a guitar part I like. But I guess one thing I try to do while I am actively writing is not look at Instagram.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Gord Downie, Jess Williamson, and Troye Sivan.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Lomelda
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Touring and playing shows is just about the coolest thing in the world to me. You just get to drive all around, play your songs, see how much gas costs in different places, and make friends in the most random cities. It is a tremendous privilege that I really try to not take for granted.
And what is the most frustrating part?
As a femme person, my experience as an artist is often a bit clouded by some kind of disappointment. My intentions don’t always come across, simply because of the way that someone who looks like me is perceived by society; and I don’t always know how to handle that.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
My day job is being a music teacher, and something I am constantly telling my students when we are learning a new song or technique and they start to become frustrated is “think less”. And honestly, I could use a little bit of that too.
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Jess Kerber's new single 'Next To You' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.