Sunday 5 September 2021

INTERVIEW: An interview with singer Jess Setterfield.


1.       Hi Jess, how are you? Firstly, we wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on your debut single Burned and Bruised! Can you tell us what it’s about?

JESS: I’m good thank you, and thank you so much! Absolutely. The song comes from a time in my life where I was watching a seemingly perfect relationship, I was in turn sour and the frustration and hurt that came from the feeling of helplessness that came from not feeling like enough to rescue it. 

 

2.       How did you find the creative process for ‘Burned and Bruised’?

JESS: So enjoyable. This was my first experiencing of co-writing a song for my own use and the whole experience of writing it with my co-writers Rosie Jones and Ari Cohen was so therapeutic. I learnt a lot from the experience and I feel like it helped some things heal too.  

 

3.       When people listen to ‘Burned and Bruised’, what should they keep an ear out for?

JESS: I’d say listen out for the build in the bridge and the immediate pull back of the instruments following. I just really love the way it captures the essence of the cycle I was in; that build and build of frustration and the feeling of being pulled right back down into it all again. 

 

4.       Who produced the track? How did you find the recording process?

JESS:  The track was produced by Drea Succi and Danny McMahon over at Puzzle Maker studios. To be totally honest, this was my first time in a ‘proper’ studio and recording environment and it was all a little bit daunting. But the guys were so incredible at talking me through each step and helping me learn along the way, I’m already looking forward to working with them again!  

 

5.       What inspired you to get into Country Music? Any favourite artists growing up?

JESS: Growing up, I did a lot of Musical theatre and the thing I always appreciated about the music was the storytelling element. As I got older, finished training and realised that I what I really wanted was to pursue music directly, I found myself drawn into country music for the exact same reason. Country music is full of people’s real stories and emotions in the rawest form and I think there is something really beautiful and vulnerable about that. The first country artist whose work I was properly introduced to and fell in love with as a kid was Martina McBride, I still remember my first-time hearing Concrete Angel and being completely mesmerized!

 

6.       Which artists would you say you’re most influenced by as a songwriter? 

JESS: Florence Welch and P!nk were probably my first big influences, but over the last few years I’ve discovered Phoebe Bridgers and Noah Cyrus and I adore both of their styles too.  

 

7.       What is it like being a Country artist in the UK?

JESS: I think right now it’s such an exciting time to be a country artist in the UK.  The scene is going from strength to strength at moment and really growing into its own, and I can’t wait to see where it continues to go and to be a part of that journey. 

 

8.       Who else are you loving on the British Country scene at the moment?

JESS: Right now my playlist is full of stuff from Danny McMahon, Kelsey Bovey, Eleri Angharad and Rosey Cale. But recently I’ve been a bit obsessed with Yola’s song ‘Ride out in the Country’.  

 

 

9.       How long have you been performing and writing as a musician? 

JESS: I’ve been performing for as long as I can remember, but performing and writing my own stuff is still quite new to me, I properly started last Janurary. 

 

10.   What are your future plans with your music?

JESS: I have my debut EP planned for release in early 2022 so keep an eye out for that! 

 

11.   Sum up Jess Setterfield in 3 words for anyone who is yet to listen? 

JESS: I am absolutely terrible with these sorts of things, so I did have to ask for a little bit of help with this one from my friends haha. We settled on fresh, impassioned and bold. 

 

‘Burned and Bruised’ by Jess Setterfield is out on Friday 3rd September on all major streaming/download platforms available to pre-save HERE


Interviewed by Mondaay Media.

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