Interview With Jesca Hoop

Southern-Californian singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop has been the name on everyones lips since her début 'Kismet' was released back in 2007 and whilst she's remained relatively quiet since that release just over two years ago, she's now back in full swing with a new LP and an imminent UK tour in place for this coming December. 

Hailed by Tom Waits himself (who she was formerly a nanny for) as creating music akin to "going swimming in a lake at night" and possessing a voice almost inexplicable in it's subtle beauty, Miss Hoop is a 2010 success story just waiting to happen. With her newest and second CD Hunting My Dress out this week here in the UK, we decided to catch up and see how things were going as 2009 begins to close on us all.

SG: Your second album 'Hunting My Dress' is out here in the UK today and is geared up for an early 2010 release in the US. Did the recording process differ much from that of your début? 

Jesca Hoop: Yes...as different as night and day. There was a lot of stress surrounding Kismet. Hunting My Dress was relatively effortless and a sheer joy to play a part in. Of course I value the experience of recording Kismet and I look back fondly and I stand behind it as a body of my work. It was difficult as I was not free in many ways personally and professionally when I made Kismet. Since then I have done much clearing in my life and as a result the making of Hunting My Dress was an illuminated and liberated process.

SG: It's been over two years since your first record 'Kismet' was released back in 2007. How do you think your music has developed since then?

JH: I released Kismet in late September 2007. Two years and two months ago. I think I have grown as a writer and what is unique about me as an artist is more defined. I feel I am more able to be true to myself creatively than I have been in the past. 

SG: 2009 must have been a pretty busy year for you, what with writing an entire album, couple that with the studio time and now your December UK tour dates. How did you spend the time in between your busy schedule? 

JH: In the first part of the year I was in LA...living my so called life. Going for long walks with friends. Hiking in the hills. Yoga. Having dinner parties. Playing local shows. Writing and recording homestyle records. Collaborations. Drinks with the friends. Then I moved to Manchester in May and it has been a process of settling in. Getting my players here rehearsed, expanding my player network, touring around Europe, finding my favourite restaurants and cafe's, yoga teachers dance classes etc... writing my next record. And for the last few months I have been busy with the release of Hunting My Dress.

SG: Now that the new record is out, do you feel any pressure or anxiety as to what the critical and public reaction will be like?

JH: No pressure. I want people to love it naturally. I am well aware that it will be for some and not others. For those that love my past work I hope it brings them in closer. And for those who are new to what I do I hope it comes as an exhilarating surprise. For those who prefer a different kind of tea...enjoy your tea.

SG: How would you explain the new record to someone who has never heard your music before?

JH: This the most burdensome question. It's original. I suck at answering this question as I am not a very good judge of my own work. The listener may be better for this question.

SG: Your début definitely caused quite an underground stir back in '07 and 'Hunting My Dress' has been creating its fair share of whispers and murmurs in the mainstream in run-up to release. Do you ever take notice of your public 'status' or how you're perceived in the public-eye?

JH: I think my family and friends are more apt to that. I take notice of my public status when I walk into my dressing room at any given venue and see what items on my rider have been provided for me. Olives and blue cheese please, Spanish wine..red...Guinness...where is the kettle with fresh ginger? 

SG: This year has seen some huge nationwide debates regarding illegal file-sharing and downloading and we like to ask every artist we speak to about their thoughts and first hand experience on the matter. What's your stance on the subject? Is it going to kill the music industry? Do you think you've been personally affected by online music-sharing? 

JH: We all know that downloading has transformed the music industry. In some ways good, in some ways terribly. It has demolished the towers of the Record Company. In too many ways to count the artists are abused within the major label contracts. The internet has given power back to the artist and a shot to build an audience through its channels without the compromises of the contract. Labels are forced to be more discerning and re-examine their own value system. It puts power into the hands of the consumer who can seek and choose his/her music rather than be force fed music by money hungry companies. These are some of the pluses. The big old negatives are that the consumer is taking bread from the artists table. There is very little awareness within the generations that are downloading that there are consequences that their musical heroes suffer when they download. There has always been duplicating of records and this can be good free publicity, but we didn't see the record stores shut till downloading. If kids were educated on the effects of downloading they may not do it. I never have. Do they want more life changing records from their favourite bands ???? Then buy the record...fall in love with the artwork...memorise the lyrics...smell the sleeve.

SG: OK, back to the music, tell us about your influences, musical or otherwise, and what inspires you to continuing writing and recording material.

JH: My musical influences are very broad. I love anything that is genuine. Old country, choral, pop, punk, rock, folk, etc. I am inspired by people and conversations. I find life heartbreaking and beautiful...and unfathomable. Life provides limitless inspiration. I really want to write bonified wonderful songs...really loveable and unforgettable tunes, ones that live in the hearts of their listeners. More importantly I want to re-experience the joy and satisfaction at trying my hand in the crafts of writing recording and performing.

SG: Aside from the US release of the new record, what else can we expect from you in 2010? 

JH: Touring and collaborations. I am also going to perfect the pancake! 

SG: Finally, if you had to write a 'Top 5 bands of 2009' list, who would it consist of and why?

JH: Elbow - they grew leaps and bounds this year and last and they are just fucking fantastic. Fleet Foxes - the record they made is one of the best from last year. Bon Iver - I think his record For Emma, Forever Ago is definitely my favourite record of the last couple of years.

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To be fair to her those albums have been re-packaged / re-released a few times, indeed Elbow's Live at Abbey Road re-release came out in 2009 - so we'll cut her some slack.

In the meantime, you can win one of three signed copies of the new Hunting My Dress album by answering a ridiculously simple question over at our recent Jesca Hoop-based competition HERE. Otherwise enjoy the vid: