I remember going to see this petite brunette singer-songwriter named Jaymay at the now defunct Northsix in Brooklyn, NY (yes, yet another New York club that recently bid adieu!). It was my first time seeing her perform live, and I instantly developed a girl crush. I had been listening to her song, "Gray or Blue," over and over again -- I can't even begin to estimate how many times, but it easily clears a few thousand spins on my iTunes.
The song is about a girl who is desperately trying to read the noncommittal, vague (and let's face it, ladies, probably nonexistent) signs from her crush. The lines, "Your eyes are either gray or blue, I'm never close enough to say," make me quiver -- why? It's a symbolic line that resonates with anyone who's ever experienced unrequited love. Damn, does it hurt. But even more than the sympathetic lyrics, Jaymay can actually sing. Her vocals are so committed and beautifully pure, perfectly expressing the thoughts and emotion behind the words.
However, Jaymay, to my amazement has somehow existed in Brooklyn for so long and has been successful this entire time simply by word of mouth. Now after years of captivating her avid fans here, she's moving to London, where she just signed a deal with Heavenly/EMI, who will be releasing her debut album and EPs later this year. She's basically been releasing her music independently thus far so this is a huge step into big time territory. I feel like she could be bigger than Norah Jones because she's got a certain twist that's hard to describe. She's also more inventive and/or raw, like when she starts playing trumpet with her voice.
I recently asked Jaymay my five spotlight questions. Here's what she had to share:
Favorite place to write music: my hands.
Latest inspiration: frank sinatra's live version of "moonlight in vermont."
What's the most personal song you've written and what was it written about? ill-willed person. it's about why some things can not be reconciled.
If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why? dead: chet baker. living: a country song with beck.
What's your personal anthem? right now? werewolves of london . . .
** Purchase Jaymay's acclaimed self-released 2006 EP, Sea Green, Sea Blue on iTunes or Insound.
** Listen to Jaymay music on MySpace.
** Visit her official website.
** Watch video of Jaymay talking about how she writes songs and hear her sing below:
