Jess Nolan is an old soul and a skilled creator who continuously channels a palate of creative endeavors. A member of Jenny Lewis’ all-female touring band, she is an in-demand collaborator, lending her writing, vocal, and instrumentalist talents to projects by artists like Joy Oladokun, Katie Pruitt, Lydia Luce, and more. The seeds of her new LP, ’93, sprouted in the height of 2020. In the midst of the initial involuntary stillness, she planted a backyard vegetable garden, moved her involvement in mentoring young female songwriters online, and traveled back to her New Jersey hometown to stay with family for weeks at a time. In the face of uncertainty, strong, deeply-rooted feelings came pouring out, resulting in 10 poignant reflections on rebirth, reconnection, and mindfulness.
In our interview, Nolan describes how that sense of renewal has impacted her music.
Does your album have an overarching theme?
The main theme of my album is rebirth. Ten songs examine relationships and how they are regenerated: our relationship with nature, with each other, and with ourselves. It’s my first time co-producing and also my first time recording acoustic guitar on a project. Stepping into that unknown space made for an exploratory experience both with writing and recording the album. I felt like a kid again – in a scary, wonderful way. My practice of prioritizing time in nature was also essential to this process. The woods I hike, the river I swim in, the sunny days I soak in remind me of who I am and make me feel new again.
How do you manage having a good time at shows, but also trying to stay mentally and physically fit?
I try to do some kind of meditation before a show whether that’s a quiet sit outside somewhere or a long walk near the venue or just a few mindful breaths. That usually always helps me center mentally. I also make sure to stretch! I bring a mat with me on the road and having it to do some yoga in the hotel or green room is incredible. I’ve been known to go for the occasional run in a park or swim in a lake if we’ve got time for that sort of thing too.
What’s the first concert you ever attended? What do you remember about it?
The first concert I ever attended was a Backstreet Boys show when I was 12. I went with my best friend Shanna and our moms bought us expensive merch t-shirts to wear during the show. I grew up in New Jersey so the Jonas Brothers were the local relatively unknown opener for the show!! I remember feeling drawn to being on stage from that moment forward.
Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
Years ago when I was doing press for my first EP, I went live on the local radio station for an interview. I played my song “Change” on air which deals with the heaviness of accepting how quickly circumstances can shift in our lives. A fan who was tuning in messaged me later that morning and shared the details of a very personal grief she was experiencing and how my song was deeply helping her process. This message has stayed with me ever since. The gift of knowing that my song helped someone going through such an intense hardship continues to give me hope.
Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
I dream of playing a national headlining tour in the future 🙂 I think that would be extremely fulfilling to bring intentional shows to audiences across the country. Maybe I’ll see ya there!!
Jess Nolan on Tour:
9/28 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA*
9/30 – Different Wrld – Asheville, NC*
10/2 – DC9 – Washington, DC*
10/4 – The Funhouse – Millvale, PA*
10/14 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY*
*w/ Bre Kennedy
’93 is out now via Righteous Babe Records