Soundtrack – Jess from Rufus Coates & Jess Smith

Image : Jean de Oliveira  [Used with permission]

 

 

 

Jess Smith, singer from atmospheric folk-blues band Rufus Coates & Jess Smith  on the soundtrack to her life.

 

 

 

What is the first album/single that you ever bought?

The first single i bought was The Cranberries “Salvation” (had to google the single 🙂 .

The first album was Smashing Pumpkins “1979” after seeing their performance of “tonight Tonight”on the MTV awards… still a cracker.

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

I remember going to my uncles house and he had a guitar in his room and i used to sneak down and play it, well just strum it, I just remember being fascinated by it and wanting to play it all the time… he showed me 4 chords, the same 4 chords i still and can only play to this day 🙂

 

Is there a particular song/band/singer that made you want to be a musician?

I have a lot of influences and inspirations but i think Layne Staley will always be stand out for me… his vocals just so raw and full of emotion, I feel very connected when i hear him sing …

 

Is there a song/band that was introduced to you by someone else?

God yeah!!! when myself and Rufus starting having the shift 🙂 I think thats when i discovered my favourite music and artists to this day. The Mars Volta was the first band he introduced me to, his and now my friend James introduced me to Mike Patton so Mr. bungle was my obsession for years and then Hatton who still  is always on the forefront of introducing new music to me and our good friend Tino to Bob Dylan Woody Guthrie and Tom Waits

 

Is there a song whose lyrics resonate with you and why so?

Townes Van Zandt, Rake… this song makes me cry everytime… his lyrics his voice is so honest and real…

 

The band/musician that you grew up listening to?

As a kid i was a huge Michael Jackson fan, just love the basslines and had a great buzz bouncing off walls

 

What song do you wish that you had written and why?

I cant answer this cause I do not know how, all I can say is I hope to write something that others will connect to as much as I connect with others songs, I think that is special.

 

What song transports you back in time and why?

Christy Moore reel in the flickering light, this was the first song i learned all the lyrics to as i was fascinated that Christy Moore would write about daddy longlegs and loved the words he used to describe them, i used to be scared of them but think the song took the fear away.

 

Which song makes you dance when you hear it?

Raspberry Beret 🙂  sure ya cant bait a bit of prince 🙂

 

Which song makes you sad when you hear it?

Sad would not be the exact work but anything from Pearl Jam, to my friend Nikki who sadly passed away 7 years ago was a huge Pearl Jam fan… Im happy when it does come on as shes back in the room with with me.

 

What was the first song that you ever performed?

Haha my first professional performance 🙂 Warrenstown talent show when i was 12, my uncle used to run it and i think they were short on the night so he got me up and i sang 2 songs, I remember my feet not being able to touch the bar on the bar stool not that I am much taller now.

 

 

To keep updated with Rufus Coates & The Blackened Trees’ music, you can check out their social media handles;

 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RufusCoatesAndJessSmith/

 

Twitter

https://twitter.com/rufus_coates

 

Soundcloud

https://soundcloud.com/the-blackened-trees

 

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDZ5xJjLwVlNG6KUkbrA0Pw

 

Website

http://www.rufuscoates.com