Sometimes you're getting a musical education, and you don't even know it. Growing up in Medford, MA, Jen had her mom, a giant pile of country and 50s rock and roll cassettes she'd ordered from a catalog, and later, at college, favorites like the Cowboy Junkies. Still, it took a while for it to really hit her, for her to realize that "something was missing from my life." A few open mic nights later, she knew what it was.

"As soon as I knew I was able to write songs and bring that personal aspect to it, I knew that I had to keep doing it. Otherwise, I'd be miserable person."