Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Jess Mcdonough is the red rose in a sea of bright yellow dandelions. At first glance you don't notice her swaying among the other plants but taking a close look, her color and individuality is evident along with the beauty the flower encompasses. Jess Mcdonough is that musician you heard the first night you went to that dark, smoky coffee shop in the middle of nowhere. You didn’t know who she was but you did know that when the girl started to perform, the whole place got quiet and watched slightly slack-jawed at her talent. You wanted her cd but at the time she was too poor to record and was playing because she loved to. You never forgot that night or the music, but slowly you forgot the girl. Her album, "Every Little Piece," starts with the upbeat but lyrically downtrodden tune "Already Dead." She captures you with her strong yet smooth and mellow vocals and toe-tappin' beats while keeping you interested with her heartfelt lyrics. "Paranoid by my own reflection/I'm getting older by the day," Mcdonough sings. "It's clear from the outside that/I'm fooled by my own deception." She reminds me of a much younger and les vocally mature Martina Mcbride who sings belty, pop country tunes. In a few years Mcdonough's voice will give even the greatest a run for their money. Mcdonough also reminds me of a happier, less pretentious, Ani Difranco. Line Ani, the girl tells it like it is with her raw and honest lyrics while showcasing her amazing vocal ability and skill with the microphone. She sings full speed ahead and isn't afraid of experimenting with different harmonies. Mdonough is destined for the radio and beyond, but first I think she is destined for your cd player. You have to hear to believe.
-Andrea Mcphee
- Soundcheck Magazine Mar/Apr '04
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
"I think you'll agree that Jess Mcdonough is ranked among one of the finest female singers New England has to offer. Excellent!" Douglas Sloan, Metronome Magazine
"...words that can make the most hardened of hearts all hot and bothered, Mcdonough speaks volumes about the human condition." Craig S. Semon, The Montachusett Telegram and Gazette
"you can practically feel Jess pull this talent from her heart and offer her gift to the listener." T.C. Krentz, Boston Girl Guide
"In a few years McDonough's voice will give even the greatest a run for their money...Mcdonough is destined for the radio and beyond" Andrea McPhee, Soundcheck Magazine
"...everyone digs cocktail small talk about seeing a singer before he or she went big. This may very well be one of your chances." Jason Re, The Weekly Dig
- n/a
Discography
"Battlecall" 2000 Self Released
"Every Little Piece" 2003 Naked Ear Records
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
What do I do now? That was the question on Jess's mind in 2003 when she decided to leave her comfortable life of 9-5 and persue music full-time. It was a winding road to this point, but one that would give her the tools she needed to be successful.
Jess grew up in Central Massachusetts with her parents, brother and sisters. Being the youngest meant there was always someone better than her, which made her work even harder. After attempting a number of instruments and musical genres, she settled on the old Martin guitar that belonged to her Dad.
The self-taught songstress gradually improved her playing and began writing her own tunes. She even found time to record her first album "battlecall" while still in college. Graduation day arrived, and she joined the workforce. Jess soon realized that she wasn't cut out for the corporate world, and fell into the job hopping trap.
Somewhere along the way Jess was introduced to Naked Ear Records. There she recorded her most recent album "Every Little Piece". She has been promoting her music by playing shows in and around Boston. Jess has also become one of the familiar buskers in the Boston subways and Harvard Square.
She's come a long way from the old Martin guitar. But Jess says, "it's just the beginning".
Links
