Jessica Leger

Jessica Leger is known to capture anyone with her voice. Whether it be humming a lullaby on the couch, singing folk songs in a coffee shop or rocking out on stage with her beloved Larrivee and three piece backing band, her powerful voice has wowed audiences from Montreal QC to Victoria BC. Jessica Leger first picked up a guitar at the age of fifteen, to lessen the woes of having been recently uprooted from her home in the sticks of eastern Ontario to a new life in Guelph. Being new in town, she spent weekends jamming with her "third-cousin-once-removed", Stuart Peterson. Peterson, having dropped out of high school in the early '70s to pursue rock'n roll had more than a few chords to offer Jessica. He also encouraged her to try composing her own songs. These early jam sessions still form the basis of what Jessica finds most exciting about performing and creating music. Inspiration continues to be found in the albums she first stole from her Dad (and has yet to return) including most notably, Joni Mitchell, Supertramp, Bruce Springsteen, Carole King, Fleetwood Mac and The Guess Who.

After participating in several songwriters showcases and jams in her hometown, she moved to the big city of Montreal to attend university and play her music. Over her four years there she played many gigs in local pubs and venues both solo and with her folk-rock group The NDG Philharmonic. During this time, she recorded two albums and played at the Hillside Music Festival. After a fateful summer in the Rockies, she left her niche in Montreal and moved to the West Coast, where she is quickly becoming a local favorite.

Currently, the heartbeat of her songs is enhanced by the rhythmic solidity of Rad Juli Steemson on the drums and Dennis Siemens on the bass. Lead guitarist Adam Cleland’s contributions are characterized by a sonic playfulness that acts as the perfect partner to Jessica’s powerful vocals. Together they continue to consider the song in it’s original form first and foremost, while adding a sonic dimension that filters ‘60s rock and roll through contemporary influences and ideas. Carefully crafted, with each member adding their disparate influences, the songs are a modern amalgamation of styles that touch on lounge, psychedelic rock, Brill-building pop and even glam rock.
The five song EP that Jessica completed with the band this past spring displays the variety and honesty that personify her writing, and the range of emotions she can trigger with her sincere vocal delivery.

This past year, Jessica has performed all over BC, including a set at the 2010 Islands Folk Festival on Vancouver Island. Another EP is in the works this winter and will be available in early 2011. Jessica and her band look forward to hitting the road this summer, extending their audiences to Northern BC, Alberta and the North West Territories!