Music / Interview
Interview: Jess Williamson
Jess Williamson is touring arguably her finest recording…so far. Cosmic Wink is a sultry and stealthy little bugger that will sneak up on you after four or five plays and then won’t leave you alone. It’s a finally realised piece of work, low key but with a strong heart, beautifully played and exquisitely produced. You’ll love it. If you’re not covinced, then she’s touring the album and stops off at the Louie on Thursday 11th October. Oh, and if you want to win a pair of tickets to the show, then send an email with Jess Williamson Competition as the subject matter to connor@themjrgroup.com before 12:00 on Thursday 11th. Meanwhile Jess was kind enough to submit to the Bristol 247 Vinyl Enquirer prior to the show.
What was the first record you ever bought and where did you buy it?
I got my first record player when I was in my teens and I think maybe the first album I bought was the Bright Eyes box set. It has like 5 Bright Eyes albums, maybe more. I ended up selling it on eBay and I regret that now.
What was the most recent record you bought and where did you buy it?
I bought this album called Leo at Shuga Records in Chicago. The album is a recording of an astrologer whose name escapes me right now but he’s just talking about the sign Leo on both sides of the album.
What record do you stick on the deck to soothe your soul?
There is this beautiful Ethiopian piano music that I love by an Ethiopian nun, the full title is Ethiopiques Vol 21. – Emahoy (Piano Solo) by Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou
Have you bought a record on the basis of a great single and then been disappointed by the rest of the album? If so, tell us all about it…
No! I’m not really a risk taker with buying vinyl. I usually only buy an LP if I know I love it and want it in my collection.
What record do you turn up to maximum to get in to that party mood?
This is insane, but I honestly do this with Songs from a Room by Leonard Cohen. I get really into singing along.
If we had the ability to land you at the recording of one classic LP so you could witness the whole recording process, what would you choose and why?
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac! Talk about a magic album. I would love to be a fly on the wall while Stevie Nicks went in a room somewhere in the studio by herself and wrote Dreams.
Ever bought a record solely because you liked the sleeve? If so, what was it and did it delight you or disappoint you?
This is a great question! I definitely have done this before like at a garage sale or something when it’s really cheap, but I always end up giving those away if I’m not into them.
Oh no, your house is burning down, and you can only rescue one record! What would it be and why?
I opened for Michael Hurley once and we traded records and he signed an LP for me. I think I’d save that one. It’s the only I own that’s signed! Everything else is replaceable.
is needed now More than ever
What’s your favourite record sleeve? Tell us all about it (and whether the music gives you as much pleasure as the sleeve).
Ys by Joanna Newsom. It’s a beautiful painting full of little details I could stare at for hours trying to understand. And yes, the music lives up to the cover!
Morbidity alert: what record would you like played at your funeral?
I have never thought about this! Maybe we could start with Journey to Satchidananda by Alice Coltrane to kinda set the mood. That would be nice.
Jess Williamson plays the Louisiana on Thursday 11th October.
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