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Every Monday we will be bringing you interviews with unsigned UK or Ireland artists for Independent Music Monday. Recently we caught up with unsigned Salford singer Jess Kemp to find out more…

Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I’m from Irlam, Salford (in Manchester). I’ve grown up in a musical household around musical instruments and music playing all the time. I was given my first guitar by a neighbour who had sadly lost his brother and for years I tried playing it over and over again. It was too big for me so I used to play it laid flat across my legs instead. Eventually, I grew into it and started teaching myself basic chords to songs that I liked. Shamefully… the first song I ever learnt to play on the guitar was ‘All About You’ by McFly… From then, I started to add more and more chords into the mix and even made some up! It was around the age of 14/15 where I played at my first school talent show with a friend as a duo and the reaction really gave me the buzz. It made me think “yes, ok, this is what I want to do forever’ and it all started from there and never really stopped! 🙂

Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
I grew up in a household that listened to a lot of 70’s and 80’s music, mainly artists like Abba, Bee Gees, Queen, Elton John all with a bit of Classic Rock thrown in there. I feel like growing up, I always gravitated towards other female singer/songwriters who had a bit of attitude, maybe because I could see myself moving that way eventually. Artists like KT Tunstall, Amy Macdonald, Alanis Morissette, Hayley Williams, Pink, Avril Lavigne. But then I feel like moving through my teens, I listened to a lot of pop/punk and indie so my music now is a bit of a hybrid of all of those types of artists.

How would you describe your sound?
I’ve always struggled to define this over the years but more recently (since the release of my single ‘We Were Falling” in 2020 and beyond that), I feel like I can safely say the sound is Indie Synth Pop with hints of acoustic in there (i.e. my roots!).

What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
My latest single is called “Eggshells” and it was released onto all major platforms on Friday 2nd April 2021.

“Walking on eggshells around you, I’m getting on ok without you”. Eggshells is a confident, uplifting electro/acoustic pop track by Manchester singer/songwriter “Jess Kemp”. Jess (who has previously been played on BBC Radio 2 & BBC Introducing) belts out this loud and proud response to the person who once spent so long dulling her sparkle. EGGSHELLS is the perfect response track for anyone wanting to leave that negative energy behind and move on with their life in the best way possible!

What’s your local music scene like?
I am a bit biased but I truly believe that the Manchester Music Scene is the best in the world. Us Mancunians have such passion for every single thing that we do and none of that is spared when it comes to music. Manchester is such a huge export for some of the best music ever released and I’m so proud to be a part of such rich musical heritage in our awesome city.

What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
Well.. I’m currently on the “Eggshells” train just doing loads of promo for the new single (like this great feature!! Thanks for having me :D). Then… after that I can safely say that there is lots more new music coming in 2021 along with a huge surprise that I am currently in the process of organising. Live gigs are coming back like a huge wave and you can find all of my upcoming live dates on my website as well as my social channels.

Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
Taylor Swift (WITHOUT. A. DOUBT.) I’m a proper Swifty.

Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
I once had a dog enter the stage whilst I was performing and it looked to be pretty chill, just enjoying the musical vibes right up until it took a little toilet break just next to my microphone stand… It was absolutely hilarious however it was mega off putting and we had to have a little pause whilst it got cleaned up 😂

I also once played at a venue in Amsterdam where the owner would intermittently pull the plug from the whole PA to shout at the audience if they opened both front doors at once. They had an almost vacuum like system to make sure that none of the live music noise spilled out into the residential streets so he got very shouty if anybody opened both doors at the same time. There’s nothing like going to hit a high note and then just having your PA switched off 😂

What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
I’m pretty busy on my social media channels and I’m forever up to something new so please follow me on any channel you have and come and say Hi! Hopefully I’ll see you at a real life gig very soon! 😀

You can find out more about Jess on her website or via Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, TikTok, Twitter or YouTube, and you find all of the places to listen to Eggshells here.