Get Lost in Love with Jess in Paekā kā riki
Bringing her musical dreams to fruition
Kāpiti-based artist, Jess Deacon, is set to release her debut EP in early June. Titled Lost in Love the EP is the first collection of original songs written by Deacon, and was recorded at renowned studio The Armoury in Wellington with Troy Kelly
The songs explore loss and heartbreak, self-reflection and forgiveness, rebellion and bold determination, Deacon said.
Deacon said that bringing her first EP to fruition has been a dream for a long time, and is a milestone worth celebrating.
“I’m drawn to music that makes you feel something, and that’s the kind of music I want to create.
“I am a big believer in sharing stories and experiences to get the most out of what it means to be human. The more I talk with other musicians about creating and sharing music, the more I understand the big-picture benefits of offering up what we create as artists.”
As a professional writer with a degree in communications and linguistics, Deacon said she takes a considered approach to writing lyrics and structuring her music, but also credits her development as a musician and a performer to
three notable muses.
“Having had the opportunity to explore the world of composition with John Psathas, sing as part of the NZSM Big Band with Rodger Fox at the helm, and watch my
mother, who is an opera singer, and performance coach Margaret Medlyn on stage since I was a child, has given me three invaluable threads of knowledge and experience, and some much-needed encouragement
to carry on.
“I’ve had some of my most memorable musical moments with these people, and with other musical collaborators who are also dear friends.”
At the release, Deacon will be playing the tracks from the EP, as well as other original songs and a selection of borrowed tunes.
She will be joined on stage by a stellar lineup including Hannah Goodin and Jodie Gummer who will be doing backing vocals, Janet Holborow playing cello, Shona Jaunas playing violin, Ramon Oza and Jon Pirini playing guitar, Andy Russell playing bass and Cam Steel playing both drums and percussion.
Last year Jess Deacon was a commissioned artist for Classical on Cuba, bringing her song Standing and the Sea as part of The New Cuba Street Suite alongside four other notable cross-genre artists.
She also opened for Don McGlashan for his Paekā kā riki performance and in this year she has been invited as a guest lecturer to New Zealand School of Music, where she studied, to talk about songwriting.