Sultry, bluesy folk-rock / Dark pop
Lancaster, PA
Biography
Jessica Smucker writes what could be considered "dark pop" songs: catchy melodies in minor keys, lyrics that masterfully infuse sad stories with tiny flecks of humor and hope. She performs in diverse configurations and contexts, but her songs have a consistent melodic edge. "Woven with a sort of defiant sadness, a square-jawed resilience" (Fly Magazine), her compositions often start down a familiar road but, through a series of subtle twists and curves, deliver the listener to an unexpected destination.
Unflinching in her dealings with controversial themes - God, sex, social justice, and the movement of all three through an intimate personal narrative - Jessica delivers lyrics that will trip your mind and tie your stomach in knots. Her voice gives an impression of innocence until it erupts into an explosion of rage or desire - evoking, in its gentler moments, a lullaby quality in the vein of Cat Power, Sarah McLachlan or Over the Rhine, then launching into a vocal diatribe with all the anger and intensity of Alanis Morissette, Ani DiFranco or Fiona Apple.
Smucker’s songs have been described as “a real treat for the serious listener” (Lynn Royer, singer/songwriter), mixing pop-friendly melodies with smart, evocative lyrics. “At times lilting, shuffling, uplifting and melancholic,” writes Fly Magazine, “the music is also characterized by a certain menacing factor, something sinister lurking just under the surface, like swallowed anger.” Her live performances are intimate, tender and “not to be missed” (Mark Michaelis, Acoustic Harmony, WGDR – Plainfield, Vermont). As a lifelong poet and writer, her solo work consists of lyrical poetry and musical simplicity. Audiences respond to her straightforwardness and vulnerability on stage, and the intimate format in which she performs. When she plays with her band, The Sleeping World, she expands the scope of her songs into a lush rock landscape: fuller, deeper arrangements created in collaboration with some of the Central PA region's finest musicians.
In the five years since she started working as a musician, Smucker has garnered numerous honors, including first place in the 2010 SolarFest songwriting contest (Tinmouth, VT) and 2nd place in the 2010 Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival songwriting contest (Havre de Grace, MD). She was a finalist in the 2010 Indiegrrl songwriting contest. Her poems and essays have been published in turnrow, The Spoon River Poetry Review, Potomac Review, The Dirty Goat, The Mennonite and A Cappella: Mennonite Voices in Poetry (Univ. of Iowa Press, 2003).
This Broken Moment, the most recent of Smucker’s three albums, was recorded with her band, The Sleeping World, and released in October 2010. In March 2010 she released a solo EP, Reluctantly Yours. The Sleeping World released a self-titled EP in 2008. All three recordings are available on iTunes and CDBaby.com.
Biography
Jessica Smucker writes what could be considered "dark pop" songs: catchy melodies in minor keys, lyrics that masterfully infuse sad stories with tiny flecks of humor and hope. She performs in diverse configurations and contexts, but her songs have a consistent melodic edge. "Woven with a sort of defiant sadness, a square-jawed resilience" (Fly Magazine), her compositions often start down a familiar road but, through a series of subtle twists and curves, deliver the listener to an unexpected destination.
Unflinching in her dealings with controversial themes - God, sex, social justice, and the movement of all three through an intimate personal narrative - Jessica delivers lyrics that will trip your mind and tie your stomach in knots. Her voice gives an impression of innocence until it erupts into an explosion of rage or desire - evoking, in its gentler moments, a lullaby quality in the vein of Cat Power, Sarah McLachlan or Over the Rhine, then launching into a vocal diatribe with all the anger and intensity of Alanis Morissette, Ani DiFranco or Fiona Apple.
Smucker’s songs have been described as “a real treat for the serious listener” (Lynn Royer, singer/songwriter), mixing pop-friendly melodies with smart, evocative lyrics. “At times lilting, shuffling, uplifting and melancholic,” writes Fly Magazine, “the music is also characterized by a certain menacing factor, something sinister lurking just under the surface, like swallowed anger.” Her live performances are intimate, tender and “not to be missed” (Mark Michaelis, Acoustic Harmony, WGDR – Plainfield, Vermont). As a lifelong poet and writer, her solo work consists of lyrical poetry and musical simplicity. Audiences respond to her straightforwardness and vulnerability on stage, and the intimate format in which she performs. When she plays with her band, The Sleeping World, she expands the scope of her songs into a lush rock landscape: fuller, deeper arrangements created in collaboration with some of the Central PA region's finest musicians.
In the five years since she started working as a musician, Smucker has garnered numerous honors, including first place in the 2010 SolarFest songwriting contest (Tinmouth, VT) and 2nd place in the 2010 Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival songwriting contest (Havre de Grace, MD). She was a finalist in the 2010 Indiegrrl songwriting contest. Her poems and essays have been published in turnrow, The Spoon River Poetry Review, Potomac Review, The Dirty Goat, The Mennonite and A Cappella: Mennonite Voices in Poetry (Univ. of Iowa Press, 2003).
This Broken Moment, the most recent of Smucker’s three albums, was recorded with her band, The Sleeping World, and released in October 2010. In March 2010 she released a solo EP, Reluctantly Yours. The Sleeping World released a self-titled EP in 2008. All three recordings are available on iTunes and CDBaby.com.
The Sleeping World
The Sleeping World, in its current line-up, is:
Jessica Smucker - keys, lead vocals
Dave Sheaffer - bass
Tommy Leanza - drums
Other musicians involved in Jessica's past and/or current projects include: Rich Sexton (guitar), Dave Pedrick (guitar), Mike Roy (drums), Erin (Mattern) Gosik (backing vocals), Matt Underhill (guitar), Mike Vitale (bass), Mike Bitts (bass) Rob Nye (bass), Frances Miller (violin), Robin Chambers (viola/violin), Jeff Bryson (mandolin and backing vocals), Charlie Burnett (upright bass), Ron Barnett (synthesizer), Mark Rast (banjo), Keith Lehman (guitar), Neal Kreider (bass), Mike Mink (keys), Shelby Jayne (percussion)
Jessica Smucker - keys, lead vocals
Dave Sheaffer - bass
Tommy Leanza - drums
Other musicians involved in Jessica's past and/or current projects include: Rich Sexton (guitar), Dave Pedrick (guitar), Mike Roy (drums), Erin (Mattern) Gosik (backing vocals), Matt Underhill (guitar), Mike Vitale (bass), Mike Bitts (bass) Rob Nye (bass), Frances Miller (violin), Robin Chambers (viola/violin), Jeff Bryson (mandolin and backing vocals), Charlie Burnett (upright bass), Ron Barnett (synthesizer), Mark Rast (banjo), Keith Lehman (guitar), Neal Kreider (bass), Mike Mink (keys), Shelby Jayne (percussion)
Awards/Honors:
- 2012 East Coast Songwriters Conference Songwriting Contest - Honorable Mention
- Weekly Winner, Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge (September 2012)
- My Rural Radio Artist of the Month - June 2011
- 2010 SolarFest Singer/Songwriter Showcase Competition - 1st place
- Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival 2010 Songwriting Contest - 2nd place
- 2010 Indiegrrl Songwriting Contest - Finalist
- Tennessee Concerts 2010 Summer Song Contest - Runner up
- 2010 Acoustic Roundtable Singer/Songwriter Contest - Finalist
- Raised on Indie Track of the Day (December 2, 2010)
- XPN Local Pick-of-the-Day (August, September and October 2008)
Discography:
This Broken Moment, 2010
Reluctantly Yours (solo EP), 2010
The Sleeping World (EP), 2008
Compilations:
- Starving Artist Compilation CD (2011)
- Music For Everyone Vol. IV (2011)
- Hill/Valley (Mennonite Artist Project, 2010)
- The Winter Tales Collection (Locust Lane Music, 2009)
- 2012 East Coast Songwriters Conference Songwriting Contest - Honorable Mention
- Weekly Winner, Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge (September 2012)
- My Rural Radio Artist of the Month - June 2011
- 2010 SolarFest Singer/Songwriter Showcase Competition - 1st place
- Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival 2010 Songwriting Contest - 2nd place
- 2010 Indiegrrl Songwriting Contest - Finalist
- Tennessee Concerts 2010 Summer Song Contest - Runner up
- 2010 Acoustic Roundtable Singer/Songwriter Contest - Finalist
- Raised on Indie Track of the Day (December 2, 2010)
- XPN Local Pick-of-the-Day (August, September and October 2008)
Discography:
This Broken Moment, 2010
Reluctantly Yours (solo EP), 2010
The Sleeping World (EP), 2008
Compilations:
- Starving Artist Compilation CD (2011)
- Music For Everyone Vol. IV (2011)
- Hill/Valley (Mennonite Artist Project, 2010)
- The Winter Tales Collection (Locust Lane Music, 2009)
Radio:
- FLL Buzz Radio
- 91.1 The Globe (Northern Indiana)
- Indie Revolution Radio Show/Podcast
- Midnight Special Blues Radio
- My Rural Radio
- Pongid Radio
- Radio Free Vermont
- RuKus Radio
- The Songwriter's Network
- WBZH (Pottstown, PA) - Notes From Home
- WCFA-LP (Cape May, NJ)
- WFNM (Lancaster, PA)
- WGDR (Plainfield, Vermont) - Acoustic Harmony
- WMUH (Allentown, PA)
- WNJR (Pittsburgh, PA) - acousticSongs Live!
- WNTI (Hackettstown, NJ) - Mornings with Melanie
- WomensRadio.com
- Women of Substance Radio
- WXPN (Philadelphia)
- FLL Buzz Radio
- 91.1 The Globe (Northern Indiana)
- Indie Revolution Radio Show/Podcast
- Midnight Special Blues Radio
- My Rural Radio
- Pongid Radio
- Radio Free Vermont
- RuKus Radio
- The Songwriter's Network
- WBZH (Pottstown, PA) - Notes From Home
- WCFA-LP (Cape May, NJ)
- WFNM (Lancaster, PA)
- WGDR (Plainfield, Vermont) - Acoustic Harmony
- WMUH (Allentown, PA)
- WNJR (Pittsburgh, PA) - acousticSongs Live!
- WNTI (Hackettstown, NJ) - Mornings with Melanie
- WomensRadio.com
- Women of Substance Radio
- WXPN (Philadelphia)