Jill Stevenson

"It'd be easy to compare Stevenson to Jewel or Ani DiFranco, though that'd be simply lazy, as it only gets the job halfway done. Stevenson has her own style, a funky, upbeat blast of whipped-sugar melodies and slinky rhythms that hint at a knowledge of a decades-long pantheon." - AOL

" She is emerging from the cocoon ahead of her time and may give some stars a reason to look again." - Femmusic

"Jill Stevenson takes the stage...her powerful voice and complex, driving songs get them moving." - GoGirlsMusic

"With a style that blends a swath of styles to get a contemporary spin on acoustic music, Stevenson whips out songs that hint at the smoky mystery of funk's groove, folk's salt-of-the-earth honesty and pop's ear-tickling charms." - AOL

"Off the Island" is a column about musicians trying to do the same thing every artist on LI is trying to accomplish - getting gigs, selling CD's and looking for that "big break". This month's article is about Jill Stevenson. Originally from Denver, Jill's passion for music brought her to New York City over two years ago. Her original music and vocals are a unique blend of folk, R&B, funk, and pop. Since moving to the Big Apple, she has spent most of her time working with songwriters and producers to further her career. She currently performs in NYC as both a solo act and with a full band and has released three CDs.

AF: Tell the Aural Fix readers a little about Jill Stevenson.
Jill: I was born into a very musical and spiritual family and was always in touch with my feelings and music at a very young age. Through this, I learned how to express and create these emotions early on through music, art, poetry, etc... My family was always very supportive of my dreams. My father is/was a singer/songwriter/guitarist and taught me so much about song craft, vocal performance, and technique and so on. My mother is a professional accompanist and played music in church. Growing up in a southern Baptist community, gospel music was always present and was extremely influential in my growth as an artist.

AF: You're originally from Denver - what made you make the decision to move to NY?
Jill: The Denver music scene is and was definitely cool. A lot of very talented musicians are a part of it. But it isn't huge. There are only so many bars that one
can play and only so many "local music-loving fans" to reach. I was making good money there, but after a couple years I realized (and always knew) that the Denver scene was a stepping stone. I left because I wanted to take it to the next level. I wanted to be challenged professionally, musically, emotionally. I also think on some level that I just had to get away. I was itching for the big city.

AF: How has your music career changed since the move - better or worse?
Jill: It has only changed for the better. I made the conscious decision to throw myself into this move and accept all the twists and turns and accepting the expected "stumbles" are necessary for my journey. Since moving to New York I have developed a strong fan base, written more songs, and played more performances and TV appearance. I have met so many talented artists that want the same things I do. Everyone is helping each other (almost everyone) and sort of working as a team. It really is a blessing.

AF: When I gigged with you, it was a solo acoustic thing - are you primarily an acoustic solo artist?
Jill: Though I do play solo acoustic often and especially on the road, most of the gigs are with my band.

AF: What about your band? Is that a side project or something you prefer when it comes to performing?
Jill: I love playing with them! Ryan Vaughn plays percussion and drums. He is about to graduate from William Patterson University with a degree in music and is so talented! I love his energy, drive and passion for what he does. He is very committed and I am so lucky to have that. Kyle Nix plays bass for me - and talk about a genius! I call him Kyle "Daddy" Nix because when we're on stage I feel safe with him there. Not only is he a sick bass player but he always falls right into pocket and has strong musicianship skills and professionalism. It is an honor to perform with him.

AF: Any upcoming projects you'd like to share with us?
Jill: The most current project, other than continuing to write new songs, is a collaboration with two unbelievable musicians; Michael Visceglia and Jerry Marotta. It includes songwriting, touring and recording... and we'll see what comes of it! All of this is being done via WACBIZ, a writers' artists cooperative. I am also in the process of organizing a European tour at the end of 2006 and in addition to all of this, I will be playing a small role in an Independent Japanese horror film that will be released in 2007.

AF: Moving to NY is a gutsy move but you seem to have adapted really well.
Jill: Uprooting is not an easy thing to do. It's definitely a struggle to do this in a very expensive city as an "unknown" musician. But, somehow, through all the crying, frustration and fear... I wake up happy. I love what I do and could never do anything else. This is where it's at for me! - Aural Fix

ARTIST: Jill Stevenson Band

ALBUM: “Jill Stevenson Band”

Former Woodstock resident Jill Stevenson (now in New York City) has a five-song EP that is simply stunning.

The Denver native came to the East coast a few years ago, lived in New York City, then spent some time here in the mountains, and just recently moved to back to Brooklyn.

Though she has several previous releases, this offering is a band effort, and there is a oneness that comes with familiarity here that’s quite palpable. Longtime Stevenson co-hort Mike Visceglia (bass), Daniel A. Weiss (keys), Doug Yowell (drums) and Billy Masters (guitar) make up the impressive combo.

The melodic, multi-layered-yet-accessible and radio-ready “Dreamer” uses almost all of Stevenson attributes; her exquisite songwriting of depth and latitude, her soaring, passionate pipes, and her passionate power and conviction.

The vocal performance in the sultry, sensual “Taste So Good” is, again, stunning, but the most jaw-dropping track has to be the heartbreaking, raw open wound of “Ain’t Enough,” where she explains “my love just ain’t enough/ if you don’t want it.” The inherent sense of drama and mystery of the music juxtaposes the stark reality of the lyric, anyone who has had a bad break-up or has been betrayed (and that’s most of us) will be profoundly moved, and if this doesn’t bring you near tears, you’re just not alive.

Stevenson sings each song like her life depended on it.

And it does.

Hands down, this is one of the best CDs of the year so far. Stevenson will be widely known, loved and respected in no time.

Visit www.myspace.com/jillstevensonmusic.

David Malachowski is a guitarist, producer and freelance journalist living in Woodstock. - The Daily Freeman

Is She Keeping Secrets?
If you're not a native of New York or Colorado, you may not have heard her name before. Even those walking the streets of Manhattan may not yet have heard a note she's sung or played. Notwithstanding, after you give one of Jill Stevenson's songs a
first listen, it's a surefire bet you'll be craving more; and you certainly wouldn't be alone.

A handful of students from Long Island's Adelphi University first experienced Stevenson's raw talent and vocal fire at The Red Lion on Bleecker St., NYC. Many listeners that night were newcomers to this songstress; this particular group sat in the back, patiently awaiting the technical red tape that preceded her performance. At last, as she ascended the stage with her guitar, the barflies' gaze became fixed on her pursed lips and agile hands. Without a word of introduction, she began playing.

Her opener was "Times Like These," a gem which has become a staple of her performances in Manhattan and elsewhere.

You're nameless
And I can see
We're careless
And we are free

As she crooned the lyrics, her face expressed truth from a well of emotion not visible to the audience. She wore what has become, at least in spectators' eyes, her signature wardrobe: tattered but stylish blue jeans, dark casual heels with the "Kenneth Cole" look, and a form-fitting auburn tank top. Beside her sat her partner-in-crime, Ryan Vaughn, a trained percussionist with a rhythmic mastery that would keep John Bonham at attention. Lacking the signature drum kit that most concertgoers would expect, Vaughn usually kept time with a tambourine, shaker, or bongos, which fit accordingly with Stevenson's laidback style.
-April 21, 2008 by
Eric Pudalov
Eric Pudalov - Associated Content