MD: You recently toured the mainland. How was the experience playing to a European crowd? Were there any language barriers that you needed to overcome?

Jess: I’ve been to Norway 3 times now in 5 months. It’s really great playing over there – there is a real buzz around the kind of music I make. Language barrier wise – I found I wanted to – not so much that I had to – be careful about my ‘banter’ on stage between songs. I’ve been known to spout a regular amount of nonsense between songs at gigs here – so I was worried at first about how an audience where English isn’t their first language would react. As with anywhere, I think, the audience responds best when you eventually loosen up and are yourself. It takes practice I think!

What was most interesting was the fact that feedback from the Norwegian crowd was almost always centred around my lyrics and phrasing. I wondered if it was because there is such a strong emphasis on their learning the English language in schools – rather than growing up speaking it freely – they seem to have an intense fascination with lyrics. I don’t know – maybe I was just mixing in the right circles – but it was a pleasure to play.

MD: You take a lot of influence from your surroundings (Norfolk), and you’re currently working on an LP. Has the change in scenery, being in Europe and on the road, changed your perspective for the new record?

Jess: I’ve always said that Norfolk is a very special county. We have the benefit of having all kinds of different landscapes here from rugged coastline, golden fields, sea-side glamour, leafy green spaces and of course the fine city of Norwich! I know that when I was living in London last year – I was dying to get back to Norfolk – and a lot of the songs on the album were influenced by that feeling. I am always happiest when I am travelling – and on the road. I get a bit restless when I’m in the same place for too long. A lot of that feeling too finds its way into my repertoire – telling stories about characters and places – it’s a kind of escapism maybe?

MD: You were touring with an artist named HP Gundersen in Norway and he's producing your album - how did that partnership come about?

Jess: HP and I ‘met’ on myspace! He was one of the ‘top friends’ of a Gram Parsons fan page, which I was visiting. We sent messages and had discussions about music for several months before we even thought about working together. I had planned to make an album this year – I came up against problem after problem, delay after delay. My friend Girl in a Thunderbolt had worked with HP before and she couldn’t recommend him enough as a producer. In February I booked a plane ticket and left the problems, delays and the label behind.

MD: How do you think playing Hot City sounds compare to any other event?

Jess: I really enjoyed Hot City Sounds last year. I think it’s exactly what Norwich needs and what bands need. I was really pleased to see it’s back for a second time on an even bigger scale. I really hope that it will grow and grow to eventually include every band or musician of every genre in the city. The festival is particularly special for me this year – as I am releasing my first single! Two songs from the album: ‘Crosses’ and ‘Pamela’ plus two bonus tracks will be available on CD – from me at gigs and via mail order from my website (www.jessmorgan.com) and digitally via download again, from my website and all the usual download sites. I’m really excited about the release – I’m not looking for massive things like getting in the charts or anything – but I do want to make a splash in Norwich and to show the people that have supported me that I am very much alive and doing things!

MD: What are the plans for the end of the year?
 
Jess: I’d love to get out and tour again. I’ve another couple of Norway dates to play and am involved in a couple of projects over there with other writers and musicians in Bergen which I am really looking forward to getting started on. I’d love to get over to the States and give that a try. I want to make something for Christmas too.

MD: Although starting out as a musician and a dancer your parents are now both psychologists. Have they had any influence in the observational style of your writing? Any plans to follow Freud yourself?
 
Jess: Ha ha! I don’t think so. I feel incredibly lucky though – to have two parents as supportive as mine though. Especially given the economic situation – a lot of people’s parents would be telling them to get out and get a proper job.

MD: You've had your music championed by BBC DJ Steve Lamacq. How was that?
 
Jess: The first time he played my song on radio 2 – I remember being so excited. I still get all the same feelings whenever he plays something of mine. He’s a fantastic DJ with a great reputation and it means so much to me that he has said the kind things about me that he has and that he has played my home-made bedroom demos amongst the rest on his programme. What a gent!

MD: What do you think of the contemporary folk scene, in particular the anti-folk movement?
 
Jess: Well – I’m not sure about this anti-folk business. What I understand about the folk movement is that initially it was everyman’s music. The music was about people and it belonged to people and it was 100% accessible. It was also played on instruments that most could make or own cheaply. This to me, is folk music. I have heard musicians call themselves folk artists – but all they sing are songs solely about their own lives with instrumental parts that are gloriously self-indulgent and nothing to do with folk whatsoever. The term ‘anti-folk’ implies that it is the opposite of this.
 
I admire the tradition and the inclusive aspect of folk music – British and American. When I write a song – I know that the act of playing it is for me – but the song isn’t just for me – it is for everyone. I feel at home writing stories that are anchored in a setting or by a history or even a feeling that everyone can share in. That to me is just regular old folk – and in my opinion, you can’t beat it!

Photo > Andi Sapey