Jamie Shields

Jamie Shields is new on the scene but has been quickly gaining popularity. A native of Westchester, she embraces the new opportunities to be a big part of the local music scene while she pursues a music career.

"Playing covers is not something I ever really wanted to do until recently. I realized how much fun it actually is and how beneficial it is to my own song writing and growth as a musician. I learn new chords, strumming patterns, and get consistent practice through playing cover songs - and I take creative liberty with certain tunes to keep it interesting for myself and the audience."

She began playing guitar in her senior year of highschool in 1996 and over the years has developed her style, as well as taking on other instruments such as the Ukulele, Banjo, Melodica and Mandolin. She has been compared to many different artists, ranging from Jewel to Simon and Garfunkle. She states her biggest influences have been Blind Melon, Jeff Buckley, Langhorne Slim, Laura Marling, and even Mike Patton. Living briefly in the city of St. Louis was also a pivitol point for her musical style.

"Before moving to St. Louis, my music was a bit more dark, almost gothic. While living in St. Louis in my mid to late 20's, I was introduced to an entirely new genre of music that immediately felt like home. Bands like Iron and Wine, Langhorne Slim, Nick Drake... and something just clicked inside of me."

Jamie is currently working on her first album, named Lover's Boots, that will feature a guest appearance on one song by Blind Melon drummer, Glen Graham. It also features local musicians, Pete Pillegri on drums and Greg Francis on Bass. - More Sugar

Local folk musician Jamie Shields has been compared to artists such as Sharon Van Etten, Laura Marling, Lisa Hannigan, and Norah Jones.

Jamie is a multi-talented woman who not only writes music, but also sings and plays the guitar, ukulele, banjo, keyboard, and melodica, which is a hybrid of the harmonica and keyboard. She also does photography, filming, and video editing and has produced her own music videos. To make the video for her song, “Indian Summer,” (which can be viewed here), she wrote and recorded the song as well as made the video and edited the footage in a single day. “It was a challenge because I had to do multiple takes because of people getting in the background and falling leaves that kept getting in the shot,” she states.

Her forthcoming album, “Lover’s Boots,” is a concept which explores the process of finding, looking for, losing, and missing love, as well as the different phases of love and the process of letting one’s guard down, growing past failures, and allowing one’s self to not be afraid to fail. She explains: “The term ‘Lovers' Boots’ represents the ways we protect ourselves in matters of love, sometimes lacing up those combat boots too tightly, ready to kick at anyone or anything that comes our way. Sometimes we need to take the boots off and walk barefoot in the land of love, even if we get a few wounds along the way.”

It is the idea of connecting with people in the first place that first inspired Jamie to write music. She states, “It is a form of therapy, and who I am.” Growing up in a musical family, Jamie began playing guitar in high school, which was when she discovered she could express herself through music. When people began to understand and relate to her music it broke a social barrier for her. When she realized that her music and songs could move people as much as songs she listened to had moved her, it made her want to share her music. “It is a way of connecting with people. Music created a world where I finally felt I belonged.”

Jamie plays every Monday and Wednesday nights at the Red Plum in White Plains from 7:00-10:00 PM and at the Cookery in Dobb’s Ferry every Sunday from noon to 3:00 PM. Visit her website at http://www.jamieshieldsmusic.com/, like her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JamieShieldsMusic, and find her Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/therealbluehooney. - Examiner.com