Occasionally you drop in on a show that reaffirms all your ideals about live music. To state that Jess Jocoy ticked all the boxes is merely the starting point. Straight out of Nashville and onto overseas' stages for the first time was more an opportunity than a challenge for a singer-songwriter not afraid to lay it all out in front of an audience seasoned in the spilled emotion of the travelling troubadour. There are also artists adept at treating each show as a curtain raising finale regardless of the situation. The Kitchen Garden faithful sensed all these facets from the recorded music of Jess Jocoy. In person there was so much more.
This native of the Pacific North West, no doubt lured to Music City for the opportunity, used the age old small venue canvas of twin forty-five minute sets to pour her heart into a string of songs spanning three releases dating back to that ill-fated time of spring 2020. A debut album and sandwiched EP have now been joined by the most travelled Jess Jocoy record to date in terms of overseas reach. LET THERE BE NO DESPAIR is as fresh a release as the spring in the step of its architect. It provided a trio of stunning songs that book ended a fabulous show that began with the infectious pitch of 'Jericho Walls' before climaxing with the stunning duo of the title track and 'Common Kindness'.
Jess Jocoy was as humble as informative. Her voice meandered around the contours of the venue knowing when to move in tune with the moment. The guitar was simple and true to the spacial creative accompaniment there to support the rhythm and meaning of the song. Candid moments added to the theatre and holding an attentive audience in the midst of a professional approach was an innate outcome. In a parallel universe, Jess Jocoy has skipped small town and holding court on the big stage. However a sense of realism nestles alongside the creative dreamer and at least small town offers the most connective artist-receiver unfiltered interaction.
There was a pledge to return in a haze of gratitude. An audience believed this as much as they believed in the wares of a singer-songwriter crafted in such a heartfelt and submerging way. This was folk music imprinted the Americana way. Delivered by an artist who has to fight hard to rise above a crowded pack, but relishes the chance and is full of faith.
The past is all building blocks to the limitless potential of Jess Jocoy. The present on this rainy evening reminiscent of her home Washington state was all about joining the pantheon of artists passing through the hallowed surrounds of the Kitchen Garden. A spiritual calling card of many is etched into the walls, beams and floor. A little piece now belongs to Jess Jocoy.
