Under The Spotlight - Jess Kemp
Jess Kemp is one of the brightest talents in the Manchester acoustic scene at the moment, possessing a wonderful voice layered upon catchy, feel good melodies. Her work ethic is exemplary for aspiring musicians as she travels everywhere and anywhere to perform, leaving every venue she plays with an abundance of new fans that’ve been mesmerised by her musical gift. This fantastic attitude and talent led her to nearly support Paolo Nutini at Manchester Arena last month, where she got down to the final two in the competition but narrowly missed out.
Her debut release, ‘Stars’, is a beautifully crafted song that shows the immense talent in Jess’ arsenal. On the 4th September, ‘Stars’, will be subject to an official video release, and Jess will mark the occasion with a gig at The Catholic Club in Irlam (near Cadishead).
Her performance at Blackthorn Music Festival was one of the most eye catching ones all weekend, which made the decision to invite her on the show a very simple one indeed.
She’s kindly answered a few questions in preparation for that radio show on 14th August where we find out her most rock n roll moment, her favourite thing about being in the music scene, and her proudest moment to date.
Music
Who are your top 5 favourite bands/artists? Paramore, Taylor Swift, Pink, Katy Perry, Amy Winehouse
Who is the greatest rock star of all time? Amy Winehouse
What song best describes you? For A Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic - Paramore
What is your favourite song lyric? “Keep your feet on the ground, when your heads in the clouds” Paramore (It’s that much of a favourite it’s tattoed on the inside of my arm… Bit of a super fan.
If you could perform at any venue in the world where would it be? Allianz Arena, Sao Paolo, Brazil… IT IS MASSIVE.
What is your favourite thing about being in the music industry? Being able to write and perform a song about something you definitely couldn’t say in person…..whether that be because it comes from anger, sadness, love or just about any extreme emotion really.
What’s been your most rock n roll moment to date? Probably choking and eventually inhaling a lemon pip at an open mic around 3 years ago…. whilst on stage….. mid song. I carried on. I think that’s pretty rock and roll. I could feel it stuck up in my sinus for days after, it was mingin’.
TV / Film / Literature
What are your top 5 favourite television shows of all time? Breaking Bad, Prison Break, Orange Is The New Black, Sons Of Anarchy, Man Vs. Food, Big Brother, Come Dine With Me.. I have too many!
What is your favourite music related film? High School Musical….I’m not even ashamed.
Which fictional character would you most like to date? Any Zac Efron character…..he is my male exception. I’m obsessed.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose? Spiderman because he’s just THAT cool.
What would you name the autobiography of your life? Probably something really cringey that I would regret in later life…..nobody would buy it and I don’t really like reading…..so we’ll leave that one.
Personality
Name one of your favourite quotes? The one that is tattoed on my arm
What is your biggest fear? Snakes, most definitely, I hate them, they shouldn’t be allowed.
What is your proudest accomplishment? Releasing my own single and gaining airplay on BBC Introducing!!! You should’ve been there when I got the tweet!
What makes you laugh the most? Myself
What/who would you throw in Room 101? Cinnamon, Snakes
Who is your hero/idol? Hayley Williams
You can choose your last meal. What will the menu consist of? A KFC Big Daddy Box Meal and Budweiser
What’s your first drink on a night out? A nice feminine Budweiser
What’s your last drink on a night out? A pint of water
Hypothetical
What’s the first thing you would do if you won the lottery? Buy a house, a range rover and a pug.
If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Hairspray is free.
What one item would you take with you on a desert island?Hairspray
If you could know the answer to any question, besides “What is the meaning of life?” what would it be? What actually came first? The chicken or the egg? I try not to think about this too much, it’s really frustrating!
If you could go back in time, what is one piece of advice you would give your younger self? Don’t hide who you actually are.
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? My own funeral just to see if they play decent music and put on some nice food!! That’s a weird one, but very interesting.
Inside the ‘Pure Studio
What is your favourite word? Food
What is your least favourite word? Uber, Ultra, Mega (they’re all equally as horrendous as each other)
What switches you on? Beer, music & sun
What switches you off? Cats & Snakes
What sound or noise do you love? Tyres on a wet road
What sound or noise do you hate? Wet paper moving, blunt pencils on paper…. I’m cringing just typing this.
What is your favourite curse word? “Prick.” It’s short, snappy and gets straight to the point (Sorry mum.)
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Executive writer of lists.
What profession would you not like to do? Chef or hairdresser
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Something to do with meeting people again and unlimited amounts of Budweiser, chocolate and KFC.
Photo by Lucinda Jones
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