New song and video serve as touching tribute to one of her musical heroes, John Prine
LA singer/songwriter Jesse Jo Stark releases her latest track, a cover of the John Prine classic “Angel from Montgomery,” a longtime favorite that has taken on even more meaning in these uncertain times.
BUY and STREAM “Angel from Montgomery” here
Shot at Valentine Recording Studios in LA at the beginning of the year by photographer Angela Izzo, the video was recorded as one take by a single camera.
Jesse Jo brings the song to life with an emotional solo performance channeling the rich history of this iconic rock and roll standard covered by everyone from Bonnie Raitt to Dave Matthews.
While staying true to the original, Jesse Jo makes it her own with her signature combination of sultry drawl and raw power, re energizing Prine’s classic ballad about a woman who had grown tired of her life and prays for salvation in the form of an angel to rescue her.
This song fits nicely in Jesse Jo’s catalog as it combines many of her favorite musical genres with nods to rock and roll, blues and old country.
“I could never have imagined that when I released my version of this song that Mr. Prine would no longer be with us. I’ve been performing this song half my life – no matter where I am in the world, it always makes me feel at home. It’s an honor to sing it and pay homage to him. I think we could all use some angels right now,” Stark said.
In the run up to this release, Jesse Jo has been donating 100% of the proceeds from all of her merch sold to MusiCares, an organization committed to providing a safety net for the music community in times of need. She’s also making a donation in John’s name to the charity.
Anyone that feels inclined to do so can go here.
Jesse Jo Stark is the femme fatale alternative music has been starving for.
If Nick Cave and Elvira had a one-nightstand, she might be the resulting progeny.
The LA based singer/songwriter picked up her first guitar at 11 and played her first gig at 16.
She started building a quiet buzz with songs such as “Down Your Drain” and “Driftwood” produced by Jason Lytle (of Grandaddy and Band of Horses fame) and co-written alongside Jonathan Rice.
As she captivated a growing fan base both here and abroad, she earned the endorsement of press and fans alike in between her scorching live headline shows and residencies, firmly securing her as a unique emerging voice in rock.
She’s carved out a lane all of her own with her original style, stage presence and sound which has been described as “horrific hillbilly.”
Influenced by punk, blues, country, rock and soul, her voice is equally awash in a rusty twang and indie gothic soul informed by a lifelong love of Bride of Frankenstein and The Addams Family.
She released an EP last year called Dandelion and has been on the road promoting it since, doing stints for Guns N Roses, Jane’s Addiction, Sunflower Bean, The Vaccines and The Heavy along the way. Managed by Linda Perry and Kerry Brown of We Are Hear Management, she has garnered well over 2 million Spotify plays without any traditional label support.
Up next is her first full feature length debut, out in October.
A lifetime music obsessive schooled at the altar of David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac and a born rock star, she represents the future of rock with a wink to the past.
Recent press highlights include: NME, Fader, Rolling Stone, W Magazine, GQ, V Magazine, Nylon, Milk,Playboy, Wonderland, Noisey, and American Songwriter.
