A Lake at Night with Jesca Hoop

A little late, I realize, but on 9/19/07 Jesca Hoop was featured on one of my favorite radio shows, Morning Becomes Eclectic. She chats with host Nic Harcourt and plays a live session with the Ditty Bops accompanying her on backup vocals and a full band.

"Her music is like going swimming in a lake at night." This statement made by Tom Waits is all over the web, and it's a startlingly accurate depiction. Her song "Summertime" is exactly like swimming in the ocean at night; it's dark but warm and you're submerged in the harmonies. "Bring a soft blanket baby, lay it down for me." Her voice is the soft blanket that makes you close your eyes and exhale, sinking back into something as deep and inviting as the melody. Her voice floats effortlessly through the lines and though you can't always understand the words, you don't really need to. You just feel it. As an artist, she is anything but one-note. While dynamic in style, the vocals drive the songs consistently, with the steady grooves of her band underneath.

Conversationally, she is easy going, fun, and "excited as hell!" Her ideas on music are consistent with those who inspired her (i.e. Tom Waits), especially that music should be abstract, while still translating to any listener. She succeeds in this brilliantly. Check out the "bio" section on her website for insight into her fascinating history.

Having toured with the Polyphonic Spree and Matt Pond, she will be featured in KCRW's hugely popular South by Southwest Showcase in Austin, and she can be seen currently on the Hotel Café Tour along with other artists including: Greg Laswell, Kate Havnevik, Ingrid Michaelson, Dan Wilson, Jessie Baylin, Cary Brothers, and Joshua Radin.

She's incredibly easy to listen to: song after song after song. So check out her debut album, Kismet, now available in stores and on iTunes!