We recently connected with Jess Lamb and have shared our conversation below.
Jess, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The making of my You Are album is the most meaningful project of my musical career.
It was the most personal. It made me nostalgic. It was a spiritual experience.
My grandfather had just passed away. My Christian family gathered together a lot during that time. It stirred up memories of singing worship songs with a congregation of people (where I learned to sing and nurtured my improvisation skills). I am not religious anymore. But I always longed for music in the secular world that was filled with affirmations, advice for how to live a healthy life, songs that you can easily catch onto and sing along.
The You Are album really is a project full of hymns for my friends.
This album made best of Echoes Radio 2021, and was quoted by NPR’s John Diliberto as being “spiritually inclined dream pop.” Music for healing. Looking back on it, I think I was writing songs to prompt myself to heal. Healing from grief. Healing from the isolation of covid times…
Working on this project opened up a portal in me. I felt like a vessel for sound healing. Ever since this creation, I have been writing mantras and meditation tracks. Our newest album (to be released this Fall 2024) is a dance album with remixes from You Are as well as several brand new empowering anthems.
Jess, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
This Cincinnati artist sounds like: if Alicia Keys, TLC, Janis Joplin, Florence and the Machine and Portishead made a supergroup. Highlighted in dreamy strings and ethereal harmonies… with bits of soulful improv… Jess Lamb and The Factory let the spirit lead.
As well as being one of the newest voting members of the Recording Academy. Lamb received worldwide recognition on American Idol. And currently teaches Songwriting at Xavier University.
Latest works have been defined by John Diliberto (Echoes Radio, NPR) as “spiritually inclined dream pop,” bringing a rich array of influences and collaborations to each record, spanning many genres, exploring fusions of pop, hip hop, rock and electronic music (working alongside legends like Bootsy Collins).
The album, You Are (Best of Echoes Radio 2021) is available on all streaming platforms.
Jess Lamb and producer, Warren Harrison (Hungry Lucy) are currently making a new album, due to release Fall 2024.
At live shows (mostly in Cincy) they create sonic revival (taking song requests on the fly at live shows) featuring a “musical chairs” collective of Cincy artists.
Find tour dates and new releases @ www.jesslamb.com
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission? As you sing along to the anthems and mantras I wrote, I prompt you to tap into your power.
You are beautiful. You are powerful. You can make it.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Buy tickets to live shows.
Purchase albums on streaming services like Bandcamp (where the artist makes a real profit).
Promote your fav artists’ on social media.
Tell creatives when you are touched by their creations.
Give them their roses while they’re still alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jesslamb.com
- Instagram: @jesslambband
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesslambofficial
- Twitter: @jesslambband
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jesslambband
Image Credits
Taylor Hughes
Jordan Lynn Freshour