Bringing a Dream to Life

New single "All It'll Take" Drops 5-22

The last couple weeks we have been pulling together the final threads of my new album Dreaming Aloud.

If you are a Kickstarter supporter, thank you for your patience! I’ll be sending an update on when to expect your rewards packages soon!

The first single - All It’ll Take - drops 5-22! Along with a brand new video. Click the image to pre-order/pre-save everywhere!

I started this album with the idea that now is, despite real world forces loudly proclaiming the contrary, exactly the time to dream up something big and loving and expansive and build it into tangible form.

I went into the recording process with an open heart. That’s new for me. I’m usually a bundle of nerves hiding behind an annoying tendency to micromanage my producer.

This time I felt, “Why not trust the process? Why not trust yourself and the people you’ve chosen?”

I can’t tell you what a difference it made.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole recording - finishing the songs on the timeline they wanted to be finished in (not banging my head against the wall about a perceived deadline)

I absolutely loved every minute of working with the musicians in studio.

I gave the mixing and mastering process with Feathers the time it deserved. It’s not that I think this is the last album I’ll ever make, but who knows? I wanted to squeeze every last drop of sweetness out of a journey I am so blessed go on.

I don’t know if you’ll love it, or hate it, or feel indifferent to it. But I know I was present the whole time, open to imperfection, willing to make adjustments when needed. And now, regardless of what happens next, I feel like I did my job.

Stay tuned for more announcements about the release date, highlighted songs and how to get your copy!

Love,

Jess

Over the moon to host two women artists I deeply admire for the next Velvet Feast. I’ve gotten to work with Dawn on projects like the NC Music Love Army and the SIrens of Chatham Holiday Benefit shows. Her album The Liberated Woman’s Songbook is a treasure. Dawn invited me to see Skylar last summer at the Haw River Ballroom and her writing and voice blew me away. I was like, how did I not know about this woman so I could’ve been a fan sooner?

Potluck 6 pm

Song Swap 7 pm

Expect some witchy and wonderful harmonies and collabs.

Sliding scale tickets and $1/ticket goes to Siembra NC

UPCOMING SHOWS

5/22 The Velvet Feast @ Eno House, Hillsborough, NC w/Dawn Landes & Skylar Gudasz

6/12 Live at Ted’s, Wilmington, NC

6/14 The Velvet Feast @ Eno House, Hillsborough, NC w/Kamara Thomas & Steph Stewart of Blue Cactus

6/18 Eastlake House Concert, Columbia, MO

6/20-21 Moccasin Creek Festival, Effingham, IL

7/12 Sundays at Sundown, Chapel Hill, NC

7/24-25 Montrose Folk Festival, Montrose, SD

8/9 Running with Headphones, Winston-Salem, NC

9/4 Front Porch Fest, Stuart, VA

9/11 3rd Street Coffeehouse, Roanoke, VA

9/18 Chapel in the Pines, Chapel Hill, NC

9/23-9/26 Antlers & Acorns Songwriter Festival, Boone, NC

10/1 Club Passim, Boston, MA

10/4 Folkus, New York, NY

10/16 Molly’s House Concert, Chicago, IL

10/17 Cafe Carpe, Ft. Atkinson, WI

10/18 Bishop Hill Creative Commons, Bishop Hill, IL

10/24/26 Americana Community Music Association, Fort Myers, Florida