CultureLoad

Jenny Gillespie creates lush, open-hearted folk-rock out of materials including stories of the star-crossed and struggling, ambling city walks, country idylls, and an ethereal, honest voice. Some have found her romantic, candid, mysteriously-tuned songs reminiscent of Joni Mitchell's "Blue" era, Red House Painters, and the Innocence Mission. Listeners often comment on the soothing earthiness of Jenny's work, the spiritual and romantic elements of the lyrics that converge with a moody but delicate soundscape. Senior Vice President of EMI Jazz, Thomas Evered has called her "one of the best undiscovered singer songwriters out there today." In 2008, she was a finalist for the Williamsburg Songwriters Competition; her song "Slow Clouds Break" was featured as the theme song for the 25th anniversary celebration of Madre, an international women's rights organization; and she gained new fans through riveting performances at Chicago's Uncommon Ground and NYC's Googie's above the Living Room. In 2008 she recorded "Light Year," her first full-length album, funded mostly by donations by fans, at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio with additional production by Darwin Smith at Austin's Cacophony Recordings. "Light Year" marks a leap forward for Jenny in its intricate instrumentation (horns, strings, pedal steel) and ambient, dark-edged atmosphere. Anticipate the release in January 2009, along with a West Coast tour in spring 2009.