Photo credit: Sara Krauss

If you aren’t yet familiar with Jenn Bostic, then I recommend getting familiar. A favourite to the UK for a number of years, Jenn is starting to become an honorary Brit.

American singer/songwriter Jenn Bostic has one of those voices that is not just captivating but takes your breath away.  Her single Jealous Of The Angels reached number one on the UK singer/songwriter charts in 2012 and the UK have been massive supporters ever since.

Jenn has been playing shows across the UK quite frequently the last few years including shows with Sarah Darling, Buckle and Boots and much more.

Jenn returns to the UK in April for more shows supporting the release of her new album Revival to be released in May. Her current single, the title track to the album is available now and has seen much welcomed praise from publications across the globe.

We caught up with Jenn for a quick chat to discuss her relationship with the UK, her new album and much more.

Enjoy!

Hi Jenn – how are you, how has your week been?

Great thanks! I just returned home from SXSW in Austin, Texas, where I was the Artist Ambassador for an event called Southwest Invasion benefitting Whole Planet Foundation. Whole Planet Foundation invests in a future free from poverty by providing microcredit to entrepreneurs around the world. I am donating 50% of my song “Faint of Heart” to the foundation during the month of March because I really believe in the work they are doing, and resonate with the mission as an independent artist and entrepreneur myself.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background in music please?

I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. The arts were always really important to my family, and unfortunately we lost my dad to a car accident when I was ten. Songwriting became the one link I still had to him, as well as the therapy that got me through that experience. I threw myself into music, went off to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and shortly after moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where I live now. It has been a whirlwind of highs and lows, but I am about to release my fourth album “Revival.” I am incredibly grateful to wake up and create music for a living.

How would you describe your sound as you have a mix of country and gospel?

I’m an emotive singer/songwriter with influences that stem from blues, country, soul, gospel and pop music. I don’t fit into a box. I write music that inspires me, and try not to get caught up in the ever blurring lines of genre.

You are quite the regular to the UK – what keeps bringing you back? Not that we are complaining

Thank you! I love the UK. I am grateful for the way you all embraced me and my song “Jealous of the Angels,” six years ago, and the support from both radio and television have continued to be amazing. There is a different kind of hunger from the listener that I feel over there, and I can’t explain it. I have made some really wonderful friends in the area over that last few years, and I think at this point you’re stuck with me. xo

How would you describe the difference if any at all between a UK audience and a US audience?

Thanks to the media support I have received, I’ve been able to see my carreer take off in a different light across the pond. I mentioned it above, but there is a hunger in the UK that I haven’t felt anywhere else. There’s something about the vulnerability of the songwriting that resonates in a really special way over there.

Tell us about touring with Sarah Darling as you seem to enjoy playing shows together often

Sarah is one of my dearest friends, and our “Night in Nashville” tours have been some of my favourites of all time. It is an incredible gift to share the stage with the people you love, it makes everything more fun.

Tell us about your new single Revival?

“Revival” is an awakening, a renewed strength, a force. This album is the most authentic piece of art I have ever created. For the first time, I knew exactly what I wanted to record when I went into the studio. Drawing from my influences of Bonnie Raitt, Bill Withers, and Tedeschi Trucks, I didn’t think about what the radio might want to play, I focused on writing and recording the music my heart was longing to make. This album breathed new life in me, and it is my prayer that it revives dreams and hope to all who hear it.

How has the response been for the single so far?

It’s been extremely encouraging. People have been loving the sound, especially the gospel choir, and I’ve had a lot of fans commenting on my sock slide in the music video. It’s a positive, encouraging song, and I think that’s what the world needs right now.

How was your recent UK tour?

I did a few UK shows recently, including a PledgeMusic Presents show at The Hospital Club in London. It was a pre-album release show with the full band, and a taste of what people will be hearing out on the road. I am so excited for all six full band shows, including a performance at Bush Hall on May 1st. I’ve wanted to play that venue for many years now, and I’m excited to cross it off the bucket list.

You will be back in April as are going to be a part of One More Shot event in Birmingham which you have been part of before, could you tell us a little bit about this event as it is quite different to a music festival

This is an amazing music festival that raises money for cancer research. The people involved have become something of a family to me and I’m honoured to be a small part of the work they do. Christian Kane is the headliner, and he was kind enough to take me out on tour back in 2012. That’s how I got connected with this amazing festival and I’ll continue going back anytime they ask.

You are about to release a new album – could you please tell us a bit about that?

I am thrilled to be releasing my new album, “Revival,” on May 4th. This is the album my heart has been longing to make. I spent 3 days at House of Blues Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, with some of my favourite musicians and people in the world capturing twelve songs. It’s my favourite project I’ve ever created.

You have some great musicians involved on the album including your brother is that correct?

Yes! My big brother Jeff Bostic plays bass guitar on the album, which is really fun. This is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to record together, so that makes it extra special for me. My great friend and co-writer, Bart Walker, plays guitar on the album and we wrote both “Wrong Thing” and “Love You” together, which are both on the new album. The amazing Akil Thompson played drums on the album, and Michael Whittaker played keys for everything except “Faint of Heart,” which I played. Background vocals were sung by friends and cowriters alike, Kyshona Armstrong, Maureen Murphy, Emily Shackelton, Jason Eskridge and a choir of friends too big to name them all here. Cellist Larissa Maestro also shared her talent to bring “Faint of Heart” to life.

Tell us about What Love Feels Like being used in a production of Sleeping Beauty

This came as a bit of a surprise to me. I was perusing YouTube one day and stumbled upon a promo for the Hackney Empire’s production of Sleeping Beauty. It was amazing. Full production and costumes performing my song as the finale of the show. I wish I had gotten the chance to see it live.

What else do you have planned for the rest of the year so far?

The new album comes out on May 4th, so I will be busy touring to promote the record. When I return from my UK Tour, I’ll be doing a few shows in Mexico, a hometown show on June 1st where I grew up in Waconia, Minnesota, as well as a few Nashville shows and potentially one in New York City. I do have a few surprises up my sleeve as well.

Thanks so much for doing this interview, we hope to see you soon

Thanks Hannah! I appreciate your time and support for my music!

Listen to Revival here

Pre order ALBUM of Revival here