When Jess Harp sings, one can’t help but listen. Savvily melding their choir boy chops, the folk songs of their home in Northwest Arkansas, and sonic nods to indie bands like Girls and Execution of All Things Rilo Kiley, Jess’ debut EP, JESSY BABY FOREVER, is a testament to the rapport between emo, country, and folk.
Born in Rogers, Arkansas and reared in Bentonville, Jess Harp first explored their distinctively angelic voice under the guidance of highschool music programs and church choirs. It wasn’t until well into their 20s that Jess started teaching themselves guitar and writing songs, merging their traditional tonality with a variety of contemporary and classic pop styles: the intimacy of Chet Baker, the urgency of Angel Olsen, and the pop/emo ear of Chris Owens (of whom Jess Harp, in homage, has based their moniker after). After receiving encouragement from friends, Jess began playing open mics and pop up shows around town. Several years later, after being embraced as a darling of the Fayetteville DIY scene and forming a full band, Jess presents his first collection of recorded songs: JESSY BABY FOREVER.
Recorded live, mixed, and mastered at East Hall Recording Studio in Fayetteville, Arkansas, JESSY BABY FOREVER, is a genre-defying treat, blending Jess’ folky songwriting style with a rich, almost shoegaze-y backdrop. Featuring James Williams on lead guitar, Hayden Johnson on bass, and Dick Darden on drums, the full-band lifts Jess’ humble tunes to a more dramatic sonic platform, with crescendos and cavorting layers of electric guitar and crashing drums, all sweetened by Jess Harp’s distinctive, lonesome, yet hopeful bird-song voice.
JESSY BABY FOREVER is a celebration of the nuances of lives lived, things tried, and the learning of many pains. Within its five tracks are stories about people falling into addiction, stories about family, and stories of the growth of musicianship and artistry. JESSY BABY FOREVER is as raw and organic as a group of friends singing along to a band at a house show, a hymn sung in church, or the rocky green Ozark hills where it was born. Its intimacy and unexpected, unbruised communion of joy will leave country/folk lovers and indie kids alike pleased and ready for more. ~Eryn Brothers
credits
released May 6, 2022
Richard "Dick" Darden - Percussion, Backup Vocals
James "Buck" Williams - Lead Guitar, Backup Vocals
Hayden "TJAF" Johnson - Bass, Backup Vocals
Jess "jessybaby" Harp - Vocals, Guitar
All songs written and recorded by the Jess Harp band. Recorded by Logan West and Chris Moore at East Hall Recording Studio in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mixed and mastered by Chris Moore.
supported by 5 fans who also own “Jessy Baby Forever”
It’s not often that an album comes along that has so many bangers that you can’t choose a favorite song. “A Tear” hits too close to home, so we’ll go with that one. Love The Deslondes cover too. This is definitely a contender for album of the year in my book. 🖤 C l Ⓐ y t ö n
Rising Philadelphia band balance oversized pop punk hooks with vivid, intimate lyrics, presenting a raw, honest vision of guitar music. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 30, 2022
More feel-good indie from Brooklyn's A Great Big Pile of Leaves, all bristling guitar tones and expansive choruses. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 18, 2021
supported by 5 fans who also own “Jessy Baby Forever”
Entire album is excellent. As is the rest of the catalog. Go back to 1970...take the Dead and Floyd and roll them up. Yet completely different.
Just plain old GOOD MUSIC. Ed Fransko