Jessica Bailiff

(Before I go on, I'd like to personally welcome you to our blog. Both CD whores and download addicts, Chiara and I are constantly finding something new to listen to. Soo, with our I-am-music SKILLZ, we thought we'd do something productive, i.e. this, where we will only recommend you the very best. And yes, it is true, Aqua really are Scandinavia's pride and joy.)



http://www.brainwashed.com/jb/

Essential Choons: Failing Yesterday, Shine ('Even In Silence' LP), What's Inside Your Mind?, Lakeside Blues ('Feels Like Home' LP), Swallowed, Mary (Self-Titled LP)

Jessica is an American Singer-Songwriter hailing from Toledo, Ohio. Signed to Kranky Records, she is somewhat fitting to the label's current roster, which includes the kings of drone Stars of the Lid, and fine purveyors of post-rock minimalism Windy & Carl (to name but a few). She has collaborated with several artists, including Flying Saucer Attack and indie veterans Low.

Her music is mellow and soothing, noisy yet beautiful, something that could well have been created in your subconscious while dreaming. Her quiet, fragile vocals compliment the surreal and swirling sounds created by effects-laden guitar perfectly, an excellent example of this being the gorgeous 'Failing Yesterday', taken from her debut album 'Even In Silence' (1998). The music featured on this record definitely shows that Jessica takes great influence from shoegazing legends My Bloody Valentine, with the sound largely focusing on repetitive patterns and reverb.

Jessica's further releases have shown that her musical style has progressively changed over the years. On her third and self-titled release (2002) we have a collection that is evidently inspired by Mazzy Star and the likes, the melancholic beauty of 'Mary' being the highlight of this.

Her most recent release 'Feels Like Home' (2006) sees Jessica taking more of a folky turn. Gone is the blurry noise of her past recordings, and we actually get to hear something more of Ms. Bailiff's vocal talent. However, the trademark sliding effects and slight echoes still remain. 'Whats Inside Your Mind?' could well be Slowdive if they were a folk band.

All in all, Jessica Bailiff proves that, despite being something of a musical chameleon, atmosphere is the key to evoking emotion in music. If ethereality is your thing, then this is definitely for you.

Further Listening: Eau Claire, Jessica's side project with Rachel Staggs (of shoegazing band Experimental Aircraft)