OEB’s Five SXSW Qs – Jenn Grant

Hometown: Halifax, Canada

OEB SXSW 2013 Review

Canadian singer-songwriter Jenn Grant took some time to answer some questions this week, providing insight into her songwriting, collaborating with rapper Buck 65 and her favorite SXSW snack.

I get the sense that The Beautiful Wild is quite an inward-facing effort.  How do these songs relate to your own emotions and personality now and then?

I ended up scrapping a bunch of material when these songs came together really quickly when we got everyone together to start making the album.

Most of them were written over ten days while we tracked drums and bass- as they developed. So this record was made by following my instincts, which all came kind of at once and in a rush. We spent a long time after that building them up. (with my husband and producer, and band mate Daniel Ledwell)

I tried to reach a deeper place with these songs, and was also very aware of the creative energy around me driving the project. It was a really rewarding writing experience, and really fun. I was writing in a new way- and feeling inspired by some work I’d done with Buck 65 which drove me to want to explore new ways of working.

This record explores all types of different tones, a deviation from your popping debut.  How does experimentation influence your sound?

I came to this record knowing i wanted to explore more natural sounds. I think that I’m starting to feel very connected to what sounds I like the most, and this record definitely has many of those sounds. It’s a growing period for me of continuing to learn about what sounds and tones I find the most satisfying, as well as always being open to new methods of discovery when it comes to making art.

I love the collaborations between Buck 65 and yourself.  How did you guys hook up and how has hip hop influenced your own sound?

Rich sent me a letter after he heard a song that was on my first record (the song is called Dreamer). He said he’d like to collaborate and I jumped at the chance! I’ve learned so much from Rich. He’s opened me up to a world of possibilities that I am just starting to try to figure out for myself.

His music let me know that my voice had new places to go and new depths. Rich is a wonderful collaborator, and I adore him.

Do you have any appearances lined up for SXSW?  Is there anything you’re looking to get out of the festival beyond a normal string of shows?

I will be travelling to SXSW with my band and performing one show I think- which is part of the Halifax Pop Explosion showcase. A wonderful festival based in Halifax, where I live.

Have you had a chance to check out the band list for SXSW?  Any acts you are looking forward to catching yourself?

I still don’t know who I’ll be able to see, but I’m sure there will be a long list. It’s a little overwhelming, but I also like to eat french fries while the bats fly by. I love Austin, a whole bunch.

SXSW 2013 Spreadsheet 9:

Tonight’s set is spearheaded by four artists representing all sorts of corners of the rock genre.  Highlights:

Jenn Grant (9) - She’s a bit of chameleon throughout her catalog, exploring upbeat pop, minimalist folk and every tone in between.

Gliss (8) - Gliss recently released an excellent EP entitled Hunting that highlights the band’s commitment to ambience and pop’s collision.

Haim (8) - Self-described as a mix of 90s R&B and folk music, Haim is a great representation of the Laurel Canyon/Los Angeles dichotomy going on in California music right now.

Ezra Furman (7) - Ezra Furman is receiving his third OEB SXSW write-up in as many years, certainly a first and a maybe an only for the rest of the project.  Furman returns to Austin next year in support of 2012’s mellower effort The Year of No Returning. 

SXSW Spreadsheet 62 - Really nice set here - highlights:

Jenn Grant - catchy indie pop from Halifax, Canada with a pretty voice.  Jenn Grant definitely falls right in the pop bucket, but she has a really quirky yet sincere presence in the same vein as Feist.  Her slower material has a lot of grab as well, showing an air of vulnerability and quaver in her voice, reminiscent of Tori Amos.  She moves between dark and light sounds song-to-song creating a diverse listen through her records.  Jenn has been releasing music since she 2005 and is releasing her third LP Honeymoon Punch this year.  Also of note is her collaborations with rapper and fellow SXSW performer Buck 65, an unlikely but effective combination.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they find some time at SXSW to perform together.

Jesse Malin & The St Marks Social - a project from Jesse Malin with a harder rock edge than is prior material.  Jesse Malin is indie rock artist from New York City and a very well respected musician in many cirles.  He’s been releasing music since 2000 building a career very similar to Ryan Adams.  Jesse moves from tender folk to garage rock and everywhere in between.  Also similar to Ryan, he tends to build different sound album to album, incorporating a rotating supporting cast.  Jesse’s current project is with The St Marks Social and incorporates a relatively edgier sound than works prior, heavy on distortion and short guitar solos, but still very much focused on songwriting and pop melodies.

Jeremy Messersmith - a folk rock musician from Minneapolis with really nice music and some pop leanings.  His vocal styling is very subdued, often staying within a small tenor range but one that suits him well.  His music is played in the same mood, often with sparse arrangements of a few acoustic instruments.  It’s very pleasant, but does contain a lack of interesting dynamics.  There are ideas that work, especially when he uses strings and a cleaner sound on some of the songs.  He’s definitely an artist of potential for songwriting abilities alone. 

Jesse Boykins III - a jazzy R&B singer from Brooklyn with a great voice.  Jesse Boykins III may be the most soulful voice of SXSW this year.  His vocals are crazy smooth, dancing around a huge range.  Musically his sound is based in R&B with a jazz club vibe, but is pretty interesting layering strings and bass on top of hip hop beats.  Jesse’s music isn’t incredibly groundbreaking, but sometimes a great voice is enough to draw me in for a great set at SXSW.

Jenny O. - an indie pop artist from Los Angeles with some restrained folk influences.

Jesse Dangerously - an experimental hip hop artist from Halifax, Canada.

Jessica Lea Mayfield - a folk singer with a simple jazzy delivery from Kent, OH.