Music
Press
... Jess calls her music folkttonica, which is a fair description as she mixes in folky type songs with lush, somewhat ambient arrangements. Producer Dan Phelps plays most of the music, though he does call in Viktor Krauss (bass), Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion) and Chris Jones (keyboards), to produce an overall sound that is simultaneously innovative and accessible. - Maverick Magazine (UK) Robert Mills
Jess Pilmore brings a gritty side to her electric folk songs on Reveal. She is a complex songwriter, stringing stories and thoughts into song. At times, this disc is sort of like reading the journal of someone who desperately wants to be happy, but doesn't hold out any hope of that becoming a reality.
"Atlanta" is almost spoken word beat poetry, with a stark rhythm that lends itself well to Pillmore's minimalistic guitar work. "Siberia" is an insular song, about trying to feel safe while alone in a crowd. "Quick" decries the instant gratification lifestyle that most Americans expect these days - it begrudges the loss of quality. Cynical, yet wistful, the protagonist finally accepts the lifestyle, yet not taking it to heart.
As a singer, Pillmore ranges in the arenas of Miranda Stone, Mary Gauthier, and Tori Amos. This being my first acquaintance with her work, this disc is enough to my liking that I will be seeking out Slightly Skewed, the predecessor to Reveal. This disc is intelligently written, emotionally challenging, and sung in such a way to draw you in, just to see what is behind the strong front Pillmore attempts to erect. Yet, you can see the fragility lurking just behind it if you pay attention. - Phantom Tollbooth - Brian A. Smith
The songs are mellow and passionate. Described as "folktronica", her songs come across as a mix of indie pop with electro and folk influences strung throughout. Her style is creative and the songs are diverse enough to keep the album alluring. - Impact Press - (KB)
...Pillmore's arrangements are filled with memorable melodies, funky rhythms and a variety of styles that includes traces of jazz and blues. She writes very personal songs about love, anxiety, doubt and growth. Jess's lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and she sings from the heart. Pillmore's music has a mysterious intriguing element, her words and emotions invoke curiosity.... Slightly Skewed is an ironic title for this considerable work of straightforward powerful music from Jess Pillmore and The Noisemakers!~ Recommended Tracks: (2,3,10) - Kweevak.com - Laura Turner Lynch
...There is a playfulness that tugs at the edge of her voice that projects her expression musically and facially. While the words sometimes feel contrived to fit the moment, Pillmore's indie voice waxes and wanes throughout provocative ideas and creations. Sharing her experiences poetically allows Jess to mingle with the listener of Slightly Skewed.... This indie girl rocker is making a mark with Slightly Skewed. - 1340mag.com - Heather Wiederstein
...indulge yourself in Jess Pillmore’s Reveal. This recently released album is dark, poignantly poetic, anguished, and is composed with a strong voice, intelligent lyrics, and unceasing impassioned vigor. Troubled but talented, Pillmore takes fiery and turbulent singer/songwriting to another level with Reveal. - Invisible Limb.net
"This beguiling artist literally oozes a self-assured vision and attitude on her latest indie CD... her crypto-poetic delivery plays like the NYC-cool inner dialogues of Suzanne Vega and Jim Carroll crossed with the power-pop leanings of Jennifer Trynin and the unpredictable shifts of middle-period PJ Harvey. Absorb the names I've dropped and then forget them, as even at this early stage in her career, Pillmore is easily more than the sum of those parts." - Connection Savannah
By: Ian Allen
... “Welcome to Folktronica.” About a half-mile into Folktronica, you’ll find Jess Pillmore, currently in the middle of a nationwide tour to support her new album, Reveal.... Pillmore’s sound is suspenseful and foreshadowing, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Her voice is deep and sharp, a unique combination. However, it was the content of her songs that really attracted me to her music. Aptly named, Reveal reveals Jess Pillmore’s deepest and most personal thoughts and feelings about a vast array of topics...
Pillmore has also developed a strong fan following, which should increase dramatically now that her newest album will be playing on over 300 radio stations in the United States and Canada.... Check her out and learn about the mysterious genre of folktronica. - Encore
For fans of quick-tongued bittersweet girl folk a la Ani, rest assured that that genre has yet to give up the ghost. Singer/songwriter Jess Pillmore admits that "ignoring [my] stories and emotions was literally driving me crazy," so she started to set her inner demons to music. Her most recent effort, Reveal, is full of dark chords, throaty vocals and the kind of lyrics that come from lots of philosophical pondering and very little reality-TV watching. - Mountain Xpress - Asheville, NC
Pillmore's "folktronica" blends a singer-songwriter's introspection with rock sensibilities and fusion chops, the last of these courtesy of bassist Viktor Krauss and drummers Matt Chamberlain and Craig Barnette. Though that formula might portend disaster, Pillmore's new album, Reveal, is a distinctive record made all the more interesting by its biting observations. "Quick" comments on a fast-food nation: "Sex? No problem," Pillmore sings, "Your phone or mine / Or would you like me delivered with a girlfriend this time?" Ultimately, "fusion" is an unfair description of the music. For the most part, Krauss, Chamberlain and Barnette keep their mind-blowing capabilities in check, instead serving Pillmore's songs, which owe as much to Gregory Corso as to Fiona Apple, with gritty tone selection and restrained virtuosity... —Paul V. Griffith - Nashville Scene
Discography
Singer/Songwriter Releases:
Reveal (2005)
Slightly Skewed (2002)
PROMO (2001)
As A Producer:
Speak True (2005) - Ron Morris
Featured Vocalist:
Look In/Look Out (2005) - Bill Pillmore
Ghosts of Eden (2004) - Mark Williams
Speak True (2004) - Ron Morris
Compliations -
Love & Loathing (Lujo 2006)
Various Artists (Lujo 2005)
Airplay -
Jess has received college and non-commercial radio play nationwide. Reveal was released to rave reviews with a national radio campaign.
Jess is streamed and has clips/downloads on multiple internet sites.
Photos
Bio
"I seem to crave every possible means of communication. I feel we're all expressing the same fundamentals but the true challenge is finding out which phrasing works at any given time. My goal is to be artistically multi-lingual," states int'l touring performing artist, Jess Pillmore.
Jess's third cd "Reveal" does just that by pairing music industry hard hitters Matt Chamberlain (Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, David Bowie) and Viktor Krauss (Lyle Lovett, Bill Frisell), and emerging artists Craig Barnette (Donavon Frankenreiter, Mofro) and Dan Phelps (Tori Amos) with a songwriter who has been called "striking and daring, lyrically and literally" (KGPR 89.9 FM). Jess's theatrical storytelling, musical complexities and dancer driven rhythms lets you in on a personal journey so vivid you blend her past with your own. Breaking personal and musical boundaries, “Reveal is a distinctive record made all the more interesting by its biting observations.” (Nashville Scene)
Insightful and intelligent lyrics “with rapid fire phrasing... not commonplace in the least” (Guitargirls.com). Strong driving melodies, “funky rhythms... complex subtle instrumentation” (Kweevak.com). A power house voice that “rip up any stage” (Splendid e-zine) with “dark chords, throaty vocals and the kind of lyrics that come from lots of philosophical pondering and very little reality-TV watching.” (Mountain Xpress)
BIO CONTINUED BELOW...
FACTOIDS FUN & FUNKY -
~ Critics Pick for Nashville Scene '05
~ Sold over 1,800 cds
~ Nationally touring songwriter over 7 years
~ Internationally touring teaching artists over 10 years
~ Nat’l airplay over 400 Public stations
~ "Reveal" Top 40 albums played WVIA~ Heavy rotation & Top 20 on WNCW
~ Featured Artist "Out Siruis"
~ Featured Artist - “Women on Air” Nat'l syndicated
~ Notable Venues - Cutting Room (NYC), C-Note (NYC), The Metro (Chicago), The Grey Eagle (Asheville, NC), JackRabbits (Jacksonville, FL), Cafe Eleven (St. Augustine, FL), Smithe's Old Bar (Atlanta), Cat's Cradle (Chapel Hill, NC)
~ Voted "Best Folk Rock Diva" The Independent ’03
~ "Slightly Skewed" release Critics Choice Time Out NY
~ Featured Album - Kweevak.com '02
~ Performing Indiegrrl member
~ “I Feel It...” @ Garageband.com
#16 Best Programming Folk/Rock
#32 ranking Pop/Rock
~ Co-Owner of Road Worm Music label
~ Featured Artist - Women on MP3.com
~ Future Star - Radio Crystal Blue
~ Underground Folk Series Artist- Greenville, SC
~ Cat’s Cradle Songwriter’s Finalist '03
~ Carrboro Music Festival Performer
~ Off-Broadway Choreographer (‘98-99)
~ Teaching Artist reaching 3,500+ students/year
~ 1999 National Best Female Actor/Combatant
~ 2000 Founder’s Award in Unarmed (SAFD)
~ “City Girl!” Best Musical - Minneapolis Fringe Festival - director/choreographer
BIO CONTINUED...
“A cross between the best of '60s folk and '80s punk rock” (Folio Weekly), Jess’ music dances on the line between Joni Mitchell and Annie Lennox with the sassy presence of Cyndi Lauper. “There is a playfulness that tugs at the edge of her voice that projects her expression musically and facially”. (1340mag.com) It makes the connection and leaves with you, to turn in your head days after you have seen her. Pillmore’s sound is suspenseful and foreshadowing, keeping you on the edge of your seat.” (Encore)
Reveal's release is backed by a strong musical team: nationally distributed by Nail Distribution, a strong CMJ college radio campaign with Planetary Group and national publicity by Coin Publicity.
Jess has been touring the East & West Coast for over 8 years promoting her indie releases. Recently, Jess was picked to perform at the Rockrgrl conference in Seattle.
"My goal is to be artistically multi-lingual but in true childlike rebellion, I avoided the first language I was raised with... music.” - Jess Pillmore
Jess comes from a pair of highly artistic and independent thinking parents. Her mother, Jo, is a skilled writer, who taught that financial independence equals artistic independence. Jess says, “Mama’s focus on the horizon gave me the strength to dream large and see the big picture.” Her father, Bill, was a founding member of the ‘70’s Capricorn Records’ folk-rock band, Cowboy. “Dad plays every instrument you throw at him. I started learning to play as a child, but with a musician that good in the house, I found it hard to fight my nature to move. I had to dance along,” Jess explains.
So dance became her focus as she learned to communicate through movement and body language. Jess’s choreography caught the eye of the theatre community, where she learned how to add dialogue to the dance. With these two languages, she began directing and choreographing professionally across the country, from Fringe festivals to Off Broadway.
But at a young age, Jess found her self in a personal drama that put her in the chaos of change. “Throughout the confusion, all I co
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