It's Ok to Pause

Plus a New Song Snippet, Songwriting Lessons for Your Loved Ones & Where Should I Play in 2025?

I’ve been up to quite a bit of internal wandering and wondering lately. It’s the season. For me, December has never felt like the time to go out and be festive. I like to embrace the quiet, the excuse to stay inside. I used to fight it, but the longer I live, the more natural it feels. I need to pause before going into a new year. It’s also a perfect set up for songwriting.

I’m writing the second half of a new album. I always write a bunch of slow/pensive tunes first and then realize it will be a boring listen if I don’t write some more upbeat numbers to round things out. So now I’m in uptempo phase. It’s liberating in some ways; a new set of limitations can be a doorway to new ideas. At the bottom of this newsletter, for my paid subscribers, I’ve share a bit of something in progress called Real love - a tune about feeling called to something bigger and not wanting to go it alone.

Jess Klein’s Big Table Episode 7: Ask Me Anything is Out Now!

Thanks to the folks who wrote in with questions for this week’s episode of Jess Klein’s Big Table. Usually I feature conversations with other artists and activists, but I wanted to take a break from the regular format and I loved answering your queries!

If you have a question but didn’t get it in in time for this episode, please let me know in the comments or reply to this email. I’m considering adding a Q&A section to future pods.

Here's a clip about how art can go to folks' hearts and affect change.

Listen/Watch the Whole Episode:

Song Coaching Sessions Make a Great Holiday Gift!

I love coaching budding and experienced songwriters - we all need an outlet to express ourselves, and we all need a sounding board and a coach from time to time.

Through the end of 2024, I’m offering single session and 4-session packages for % 40 off!

(That’s $75 for one 1-hour session or $300 for four x 1-hour sessions!)

Purchase a gift card for yourself or a loved one HERE and then contact me at jess@jessklein.com for scheduling!

A Personalized Song Makes An Even Better Gift!

Would you like ME to write a song for you? Someone’s birthday? Wedding? Retirement? I like creating commissioned, bespoke songs for folks. Email me for pricing!

Seeking House Concerts in the Midwest May 5-8

I have some fun shows set up this May in the Midwest US, and would like to find some house concerts to play so I don’t have to go home in between runs. House concerts are intimate shows for 20-50 folks in someone’s living room or backyard. If you have a series or would like to give hosting a concert a try, please drop me a line and let’s chat!

Upcoming Shows

1/31 Eno House, Hillsborough, NC - co-bill with Wes Collins

3/19 White Horse Black Mountain, Black Mountain, NC - Dark City Songwriter Series w/Beth Lee

3/26 Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, NC - “An Evening with Jess Klein” - Interview and performance - Tickets go on sale in 2025

5/2 Trinity House Theatre, Livonia, MI*

5/3 WFMT Folkstage, Chicago, IL*

5/4 Bishop Hill Creative Commons, Bishop Hill, IL*

5/9 Venue TBD, Effingham, IL

5/10 Bluff View Concerts, La Crosse, WI

*co-bills with Jenny Reynolds

New Song Snippet for Paid Subscribers Below!