Jenny Gillespie releases new album

Jenny Gilllespie releases sophomore album "Kindred"

"Songs with power and serenity... Like a beautiful velvet poster of unicorns." - Hybrid Magazine

Last year, twenty-nine year old Jenny Gillespie released a gorgeous album Light Year which, without question, lay the foundation for the singer/songwriter’s path toward the intricacy, lushness, and expansive sound of her sophomore release Kindred. Kindred evokes the spirit of such chanteuses as Kate Bush and Imogen Heap, and is now available on Itunes.

Having followed many musical threads from folk to alt-country to electronica, Chicago-based Gillespie finds herself merging all of the tones, sounds, and textures she loves. Gillespie crafts otherworldly yet earthy music that always begins from an ephemeral spark of emotion. 

After her 2009 debut album Light Year drew praise for its blend of ethereal folk and art-pop grandeur, Jenny embarked on a new sonic adventure, recording her new album Kindred produced by Austin, TX multi-instrumentalist Darwin Smith.

Smith had mixed Light Year and expressed interest to Jenny in recording an album in a house setting near her home base of Chicago. Working off of over two years of home demos, Smith and Gillespie worked together to arrange the songs and create the unique sound of “Kindred.”

Recorded both in the living room of a rambling house in Wilmette, IL and various locations in Austin, TX, Kindred is a convergence of refined musicianship and experimental spontaneity. The collection moves adventurously between genres of folk, pop, ambient and electronica.

“Kindred” calls to mind diverse influences such as Joni Mitchell, Talk Talk, Cocteau Twins, and Bjork. Gillespie crafts lyrics that wend through metaphysical and natural imagery as well as observations on intimate relationships; the words gently support the power of the music rather than shout themselves to the front.

Jenny also showcases her vocal range on “Kindred,” from a rich soprano on “Merged Furs” to a raspy alto on an electro-pop cover of country-folk musician Doug Burr’s moving anthem “In the Garden.”

“Kindred” is a challenging yet soothing album for modern ears. Gary Newcomb (Richard Buckner, Gary Newcomb Trio) lends pedal steel, Dony Wynn (Robert Palmer, Steve Winwood) on drums, Steve Bernal (Bill Callahan, Calla) on cello and bass, and Steve Moore (Laura Veirs, Sufjan Stevens, Tift Merritt) contributes keys and brass. Kullen Fuchs and Roy Coon also add trumpet, flute, sax, and clarinet.

For tour dates and more information:
http://www.jennygillespie.com