Jess Kerber, a compelling songwriter hailing from the vibrant musical landscape just outside New Orleans, Louisiana, embarked on her guitar journey at the age of 12. Her path to mastering the instrument was anything but conventional, shaped by a deep fascination with artists like Joni Mitchell and Susan Tedeschi. Inspired by their unique approaches, Kerber gravitated towards alternate tunings, a technique that profoundly influenced her distinctive and colorful guitar playing style, setting her apart from many contemporary musicians. Music, particularly playing and writing, became an all-consuming passion during her formative years in small-town Louisiana, a dedication that rapidly accelerated her musical development.
Even as a teenager, Kerber’s burgeoning talent led her to perform solo shows in and around the musically rich city of New Orleans. During this period, her voice matured, acquiring a rich, deep resonance that became a hallmark of her early recordings. These recordings were further enhanced by her tasteful and intricate guitar work, melodies so captivating they could stand alone as instrumental pieces. This early immersion in live performance and songwriting provided invaluable experience, honing her skills and solidifying her commitment to a musical career.
Her dedication and exceptional talent earned her a significant accolade: the prestigious 2018 Berklee Lollapalooza full scholarship to Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music. This move to Boston marked a turning point in her artistic development. The stimulating academic environment and exposure to diverse musical perspectives at Berklee challenged her established tastes and songwriting approach. She began to explore a more introspective and lyric-focused style, drawing inspiration from the indie-folk genre and artists such as Andy Shauf and Adrianne Lenker. This evolution in her sound led to her integration into Boston’s thriving folk music scene, particularly around the legendary Club Passim in Cambridge, a historic venue known for nurturing folk musicians.
Just before the unforeseen arrival of the global pandemic, Kerber’s path intersected with Will Orchard, a fellow songwriter based in New England. This meeting blossomed into a significant personal and professional partnership. Together, during the initial isolating months of the pandemic, Kerber and Orchard embarked on a collaborative project, producing Kerber’s self-titled full-length record. This album represented a distinct shift in her musical direction, showcasing a more refined and expansive sound.
“Jess Kerber,” her eponymous album, features arrangements that are both cosmic and grounded in Americana traditions, yet push the genre into new sonic territories. Utilizing a diverse palette of instruments, from drum machines to pedal steel, the album achieves a unique textural depth. In contrast to the richer arrangements, Kerber’s songwriting is characterized by its simplicity and intimacy, offering listeners poignant snapshots of personal introspection and self-discovery. Mixed by Charlie Dahlke of The Brazen Youth, an up-and-coming indie-rock band, the album navigates a spectrum of emotions, encompassing moments of gentle optimism and profound, serene heartbreak. Prior to the album’s release, Kerber previewed many of these songs in an intimate acoustic duo format during a self-booked month-long European tour with Will Orchard in late 2021. Having officially released her self-titled album in May 2022, Jess Kerber currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, continuing her musical journey, accompanied by her cat.
