Jessica Sonner
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Jessica Sonner

Band Pop Singer/Songwriter

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"No need to rescue...Jessica Sonner"

Thursday, March 22, 2007


The sound of any sirens or alarms would only be due to the need to get your attention right now...so you can listen to "Rescue Me" by Jessica Sonner.

I like the beat she makes with her fingers while she strums the guitar. The acoustics of her work are infallible. And it is definitely the lyrics of this song that hooked me. It makes you feel something, that's what music is all about. Watching Jessica sing the song, you can tell she feels it, too. She's not just singing words, she's living them.

Jessica Sonner - "Rescue Me"

Her self-titled EP is available for purchase at CD Baby...though I will tell you it is currently sold out! You can sign up for an e-mail from them when it comes back in stock.


- Bring Me Up - scrink.com


"Kings and queens of the caffeine scene"

Special to the Tribune

November 24, 2006

The term coffeehouse musician conjures up images of a lone singer, camped out on a sofa, passing the hat for donations while listeners sip java and bob to the beat.

Not so much, what with those ubiquitous coffee chains popping up on every corner and sending the singers packing. Today, you're just as likely to find those aspiring singer-songwriters plying their craft in a smoky bar, where the libations are different, but the vibe remains the same.

We profile standouts from the local scene--all of whom offer music worth savoring on a slow Sunday afternoon, no matter what you're having to drink



Jessica Sonner

Age: 24

Experience: 1 year

Since moving to Chicago last year, Jessica Sonner has supplemented her musician's income with a series of part-time jobs as a barista, a cocktail waitress and (currently) as an office temp. As in "Factotum," a movie based on the Charles Bukowski book of the same name, these jobs serve as more than a modest means of income; Sonner draws from her day-to-day experiences in her songwriting.

"I'm able to meet people from all different walks of life," says Sonner. "And a lot of my songs come from the different situations and moods I experience with that."

Sonner, originally from a suburb of Denver, Colo., grew up playing the piano ("In our house it was math, science and piano"), picking up the guitar for the first time in college to keep pace with her younger brother. She soon found the instrument to be a better, more portable outlet for her songwriting. Curiously, Sonner never envisioned herself as a performer, harboring dreams of becoming a songwriter so that musicians from all walks could croon her words. "I never wanted to be in the spotlight," she adds. "But I hope people can connect with what I'm doing."

::See Sonner live:: - Andy Downing


"Jessica Sonner reaches out to the college crowd with song"

Jessica Sonner reaches out to the college crowd with song

by Thomas Crone
12/02/2006

Jessica Sonner is OK with the inclement weather that rolled into town Thursday night. Splitting time between homes in Chicago and Colorado has toughened her.

But this summer, she was able to enjoy the warmth that's known as a St. Louis July with a three-week stint as a counselor and songwriting coach at a teen rock 'n' roll camp at Washington University. However, the gig didn't leave her much time to perform locally.

"I didn't really get to venture out much," she says. "But if I'd have planned things better a few months out, I could've played the area before and after those three weeks."

Tonight, at St. Louis University's Billiken Club, she'll get that opportunity, headlining a show that features SLU students Paul Flo and Morgan Gray. That's a campus gig she enjoys.

"My market is with college students," she explains. "It's so fun to hang out at college and meet the students. There's usually a built-in crowd of people that know what you're about, 'cause they've been expecting you for weeks. Plus, colleges do a really great job of promoting."

Sonner's debut, 10 tracks simply titled "The EP," showcases a singer-songwriter who doesn't employ a great deal of studio trickery. It's generally just the artist on vocals and guitars. There's a touch of overdubbing and some harmonies but little in the way of electronics, beats or other add-ons that many of her contemporaries use. It's the same approach she uses onstage.

"Just me and a guitar the first time through a city," she says. "I'll bring more (musicians) the next time."

For those unfamiliar with Sonner and wanting to know more, plenty of background information is available at her website, jessicasonner.com.

And for those not yet acquainted with the Billiken Club, it's a midsize venue on the ground floor of SLU's remodeled Busch Student Center. There's good sound, a modestly appointed bar and and most shows, including tonight's, don't have a cover charge.

So your ability to check out both a rising performer and a new music room comes with few obligations along the way. - St. Louis Post-Dispatch


Discography

The EP - Dec 05
All We Need - April 08
If you'd like Jessica to come play at your school, church or event email sue@thecollegeagency.com

Jessica Sonner

VENUES PLAYED IN 2006-07
The Living Room – New York City, NY
House of Blues – Chicago, IL
Hotel Cafe Los - Angeles, CA
CBGB - New York City, NY
Club Passim – Cambridge(Boston) MA
Double Door w/ Teitur – Chicago, IL
Schuba’s – Chicago, IL
Lestat's Coffee House - San Diego, CA
The Basement – Nashville, TN
The Walnut Room - Denver, CO
The Canopy Club - Urbana, IL
Martyr’s – Chicago, IL
Rockwood Music Hall - New York City, NY
Radio Radio – Indianapolis, IN
The Rhythm Room - Phoenix, AZ
The Living Room – Muncie, IN
Cosmo's Coffee Café - La Mesa, CA
One Two One Bar – Austin, TX
Twigg's - San Diego, CA
Wise Fools Pub – Chicago, IL
Westport Coffeehouse - Kansas City, MO
Opening Bell Coffee - Dallas, TX
Elbo Room – Chicago, IL
Café Coco – Nashville, TN
Art Bar - Las Vegas, NV
JC's Ground – Denver, CO
Steaming Bean – Parker, CO
PJ’s – Manhattan, KS
The Abbey Coffeehouse – Indianapolis, IN
Lazy Daze Coffeehouse – Indianapolis, IN
Boulevard Place Café – Indianapolis, IN
The Pint – Chicago, IL
Pontiac Café – Chicago, IL
Uncommon Ground – Chicago, IL
Victor's Seafood and Steak –Austin, TX
Cubby Bear – Chicago, IL
Cubby Bear North – Chicago, IL
Goose Island – Chicago, IL
Underground Lounge – Chicago, IL
MoJoes Hot House – Chicago, IL
Kataluma Chai Co. Lakewood, CO
Stella's Coffeehouse Denver, CO
Meadlowlark Bar - Denver, CO
The Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL
Papa's Perks - Glendale, AZ
Rejuvenate Coffee Shop – Mesa, AZ
Macy's European Coffee House – Flagstaff, AZ
Moon Monkey Coffee Company – Bourbonnais, IL
Franchesca's Amici – Elmhurst, IL
Bird's Nest – Chicago, IL
Kafe Kerouac – Columbus, OH
Larry's Music Store – Wooster, OH
Jenicca's Wine Bar – Louisville, KY
Spencer's Tavern – Indianapolis, IN
Hogs and Kisses Downtown - Lake Geneva, WI
The Fat Bean – Naperville, IL
Heartland Café – Chicago, IL
York Street Café – Newport, KY
Live Wire Coffee & Music – Richmond, KY
Westside Cafe – Frederick, MD
Musica – Akron, OH
Chicago FIRE’s Toyota Park – Bridgeview, IL
Underground Lounge – Chicago, IL
Crawdaddy's Bar – Lafayette, IN
Rumours Wine Bar – Nashville, TN
Upper Room – Indianapolis, IN
The End Zone Lounge – Aurora, IL
Pennicle Theater – Littleton, CO
Lee La European Cafe – Denver, CO
Heartland Cafe – Chicago, IL
Flatlander's – Lincolnshire, IL
Julius Meinl Cafe – Chicago, IL
Red Line Tap – Chicago, IL
The COVE Coffee House – Portage, IN
Nite Light – Berwyn, IL
Starbucks - Highlands Ranch, CO
Café Camerata – Anderson, IN
Gaither Family Resources – Alexandria, IN

SCHOOLS
Anderson University - Anderson, IN
Geneva College - Beaver Falls, PA
The Billiken Club @ St. Louis University - Saint Louis, MO
Washington University – St. Louis, MO
Ball State University -Muncie, IN
The Union @ North Central College – Naperville, IL

CHURCHES
Willow Creek Community Church – South Barrington, IL
North Way Community Church – Wexford, PA
The Bridge Church – Anderson, IN
Light and Life Community Church – Lakewood, CO
SCUM of the Earth (church)– Denver, CO
North Bridge Church – Chicagoland, IL
The Vine Church - Boulder, CO
Emmaus Ministries Endurance Ride – Plano, IL
Bethel Baptist Church – Galesburg, IL
Otterbein United Methodist Church – Indianapolis, IN

FESTIVALS
Midwest Music Summit – Indianapolis, IN
South By Southwest Music Festival – Austin, TX

TV
Time Warner Cable – Public Access Channel98 – Los
KWGH TV53 - Highlands Ranch, CO
Local Music Review – LA, CA

RADIO
KGNU - Denver/Boulder
KTCL 93.3
KKPL-FM 99.9 The Point - Windsor, Colorado
KRFC 88.9 - Northern Colorado
KCUV FM 102.3 - Denver, Colorado
KRCL 90.9, Radio104 - Los Angeles, California
WNUR 89.3FM - Chicago, Illinois
WXRT 93.1FM - Chicago, Illinois
Q101 101.3FM - Chicago, Illinois
WBUL 1620am - Tampa,Florida

::Taylor Guitars preferred artist::

SPONSORS
Kataluma Chai Company

Photos

Bio

With a down-to-earth manner and soulful music with that “girly” edge, she alternates between self-disclosure and her music through out the night. The lyrics to all of her songs are genuine and reflect a part of herself... "It's all worth it for me when people take something away from what they hear in my music," replied singer/songwriter, Jessica Sonner, during a recent interview. While living between the snowcapped mountains of Colorado where she grew up and the big city of Chicago which she called home till recently, Sonner released her self titled EP in December 2005, featuring fan favorites Rescue Me, Fool and Open Your Eyes. She has since established herself as an emerging solo artist with a bright future ahead. For the past 3 years, Sonner has been continually singing her heart out all over the country for anyone who will listen. Wooing audiences with her compelling lyrics and soulful voice, she is quickly capturing the hearts of both fan and industry alike. With a new album due out March 2008, Sonner has been caught sharing the spotlight with artists such as Colbie Caillat, Tristan Prettyman, Matt Wertz, Jon McLaughlin, Kate Voegle and many more. Armed with a loyal fanbase, a solid acoustic sound, and a sultry unforgettable voice, Jessica Sonner is making her way to an iPod near you