By: Kevin Marós
Jessica Lea Mayfield was back in San Diego again this past Wednesday night, this time at the Soda Bar, only 9 months after her last visit at the Casbah. She’s still out supporting her latest album, Make My Head Sing (ATO Records), which has a different feel than her previous efforts. The songwriting fits right in, but after the purchase of a new guitar, she’s spent more time writing on the electric, giving this album a fuzzier, rockier sound than the more folky sound of her two previous full lengths.
With her touring band; bassist and husband, Jesse Newport and drummer Mike Martin, this newer sound comes across like a summer thunderstorm; heat lightning and thunder claps, before the rain comes down to melt you. Her coy and demure stage presence adds a layer to her deep and sometimes brutally honest lyrics, but you feel that ray of sunlight with her soft, girly voice and Midwestern drawl wrapping around each word.
Be sure to catch her and the band the next time they roll through, they love our town. Local band The Midnight Pine, opened the night and they have several upcoming dates in town, so go check them out.
SIDE NOTE: Jessica will be up in Los Angeles at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre with Seth Avett (of the Avett Brothers) singing songs of Elliott Smith on 31 March. Album out 17 Mar. You should definitely go to this. It is very likely they will not do this again. Get your tickets soon!
