Jæd (Jennifer Evans)

Jæd is Irish-Puerto Rican/Taíno musician Jennifer Evans. She introduces herself with the release of captivating debut single "Vessel List".

Bringing to mind diverse artists from Kate Bush and PJ Harvey to St. Vincent and Fiona Apple, and with influences spanning Death Grips to Cocteau Twins, Jæd has already proved herself to be a shining light on the London live scene. With notable support dates to her name with acts including Goat Girl, Micachu, Agnes Obel and Villagers, Jæd is an intriguing prospect.

The lyrics for bewitching debut single "Vessel List" were written from recorded improvised vocal sounds "through feelings of deep isolation and shame and an urgent need for connection and belonging" - as Jæd explains.

Co-produced with Stereolab drummer Andy Ramsay, "Vessel List" is delivered with intensity and genuine ferocity. As guitars screech and wail amidst images of domesticated animals and themes of the ancient natural world, the song then explodes into passages of frenzied art-rock, complemented by thunderous percussion courtesy of Tobias Humble (Gang of Four, Tricky, Ghostpoet).

Going into further detail on the song's creation and its lyrics, Jæd said: "I recorded these unintelligible wailing sounds while playing the very repetitive and staccato main guitar/bass riff over and over, that worked like a slow drill through my being helping to rupture something in me to let some truth come through, to release something. I’d listen back and allow any word association to arise freely from the vocal sounds and write them down. ‘I’m your darkness sister pirate with good squalor vulture in the fern / I come from dour dirt maggot season' - the song is literally a shadow self coming through."

The beguiling video for "Vessel List" was created in collaboration with costume and visual artists UhuruMatahari and Uhuruheru. "I had loved their work for some time and wanted to be involved somehow with what they were doing. When my friend Matt Grimble wanted to make a video with me at the incredible Garden Studios in Harlesden, the two worlds came together" - Jæd said, continuing:

"I wanted the video to be a celebration of beauty and the body in movement. So much of our sensitivity shuts down with traumas, we become stuck. It’s courageous to share beauty and I find people have been (myself included) more terrified of beholding beauty than violence. It’s like we’ve forgotten how to co exist with beauty without having to trap it or own it, or in some cases hate it. I also wanted to celebrate and thank the ego for how it has protected me and brought me to my current place. There are behaviours I’d like to move on from but first, gratitude and celebration."

"Vessel List" is the first track to be heard from Jæd's debut album, due to be officially announced and released in 2024 - made in collaboration with producers Dilip Harris (King Krule, Mount Kimbie) and Andy Ramsay (Stereolab, Kero Kero Bonito, Nilüfer Yanya).

Jæd's new single "Vessel List" is out now via The Delphi Label. Jæd plays Ireland Music Week on 5th October, before supporting Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra at London's Shacklewell Arms on 12th October and performing at a Music Cork showcase on 18th October.

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