MYSBLT Bands to watch in 2010: Part 1. Jenn Cristy

by Taylor Roberts in Album Reviews, Musician Reviews, Reviews, bands to watch

In this issue MYSBLT: Music You Should Be Listening To:

We are proud to bring you the first installment of a double feature: Artists to watch in 2010. I’ve been lucky enough to sit down with two acts that represent the bright and promising future for independent music. Up first is Indiana’s own soul-rocker, Jenn Cristy. She’s been building her musical resume since 2000 and has recently generated quite a buzz as the Jenn Cristy Band has released their third album, Hotel Confessions. I recently met with the front woman whose motto, “Less Diva, More Rock!” sums up her sound perfectly. In a basement coffee bar in Bloomington, Indiana, we discussed her impressive history in music, influences and the new album. MYSBLT is proud to feature her as our first act to watch in 2010 and we can’t wait to see the great things she has in store for us.

Jenn Cristy’s story reads like every other rock diva today: A classically trained pianist from the age of 4, gets accepted into a prestigious music school, begins working with a rock legend and then embarks on a solo project… That’s how Courtney Love did it right? Ok maybe not. But that is what makes Jenn’s music and story all the more exciting and intriguing. Jenn was gracious enough to wake up early the morning after a gig to sit down with me and discuss her journey, influences and new album.

Jenn Cristy began her musical journey at the ripe age of 4, being trained in classical piano while growing up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  14 years later, she was accepted into the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Cristy entered her collegiate career with no aspirations of becoming a rock star or fronting a band. With her background in classical piano, rock was the furthest thing from her radar. She later discovered the music school was going to interfere with swim team practices and she changed her major. After all, her sights were set on becoming a swimming coach after graduation and as she puts it, “I’ve only got this body for a short time, so I had better take care of it!” As she had moved herself away from music and focused on school, she received an offer she couldn’t refuse. Based on a reputation she had built from singing national anthems and working with local acts, Jenn Cristy was asked to help out on a small, little album, for a small, little band; by the name of John Mellencamp. “I’ve supported a lot of acts, on a lot of projects… mostly local… but obviously, Mellencamp was the big one.” Jenn not only brought her piano skills to the 2001 release Cuttin’ Heads, but she sang vocals, played violin, organ and flute,  spending entire days in the studio learning new instruments. Cristy took pride in the fact that she was “…the first one in the studio and the last one to leave.” Her advice to young musicians is that, “…if you want to be part of something, you need to be there the whole time.” Not a bad idea. Following her stint in the studio, she hit the road for an 18 month tour to support the album, which included the incredibly emotional set at the 9-11 tribute concert in New York City.

Upon returning from the Cuttin’ Heads tour, Jenn Cristy decided it was time for something different. In 2003, she moved to the front of the stage to begin her career as a leading woman. She was determined to speak her own mind and bring a new fusion of rock and soul to the scene. This was when I first was introduced to her by a mutual friend and instantly, I knew she had something special.

The Jenn Cristy Band slowly unleashed its own brand of classic rock guitar riffs and bruising drums mixed with soul inspired piano melodies and a voice that would bring down Broadway. For the next six years Jenn worked with more than a dozen musicians cycling them through, one by one as she searched for the right combination of attitude and talent. Cristy released two albums between 2003 and 2008, which she describes as a chaotic “…learning process…” Needless to say, both albums fell short of her potential and vision for her music. Then comes 2009 and the release of Hotel Confessions. With a budget conscious eye and limited studio space, the band rehearsed and did arrangements for 8 weeks before recording. The preparation truly pays off as the new album finally places Cristy at the forefront of a new recipe for a soul-rock combination. Hotel Confessions is far and away the most mature and professional album for Jenn Cristy. It shows her range at vocals and capitalizes on her ability to tickle the ivories like no one else in rock. The album is a new take on piano fronted rock as her work is masterful and reflects her years of dedication to the craft. Every element of the album is right on target with the vision Jenn has for her music. It’s dark and beautiful, classic but new and more listener friendly than her past attempts.

So go to your neighborhood record store and pick up a copy! …or not…

Unfortunately, Hotel Confessions is not sitting on shelves just waiting for your grubby little hands. The long and sometimes traumatic experience of trying to land a label has limited distribution of the album. Though the hope is to have millions of fans buying millions of copies of her music, Jenn is not willing to have a label limit her creative vision. Her early experiences with loser managers and a digital distribution deal gone wrong have taught her to take her time to insure she works with the right people. After all, it’s the digital age and independent musicians can do a lot for themselves through social networking websites, live shows and use of the “blog-o-sphere”. The Jenn Cristy Band is representing themselves beautifully, as Hotel Confessions is available for purchase through Jenncristy.com, can be streamed on Myspace and picked up at shows. There is also a fan page on Facebook that provides the latest in news, tour dates and music.

So what’s on tap for Jenn Cristy in 2010 that has MYSBLT all a buzz? In addition to glorious new album, the band will be touring extensively throughout the Midwest and the East Coast beginning in the spring. Not to mention, Cristy is back at the table writing new songs and laying the ground work for the next album. Be sure to check her websites for more information and give the new tracks a listen. It is only a matter of time before Jenn Cristy and her soul-infused rock starts blasting ear drums from coast to coast.  Keep rocking Jenn, MYSBLT will always be a fan!

Be sure to check out our next post in which we will feature the Los Angeles band, Local Natives as our second band to watch in the New Year. They’re busy touring with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and met me at the Boulder Theatre to discuss their recent signing with the indie label Frenchkiss as well as the February 16^th release, Gorilla Manor, and their plans for 2010. For now,

Love, peace and chicken grease.