Each Measure Feature: Jess and the Bandits

FEATURE

Jess and the Bandits’ new single Preachin’ to the Choir is a rhythmic burning melody unleashed from the fires of lead vocalist Jess Clemmons heart. Together with the four “bandits,” the group formed through their love for music, especially the warm sound of country. Their music stays true to that belief, channeling all things pop, country, and Americana, and is received with open arms from listeners and new fans from their zesty performances.

Listening to this song, there is an infectious, uninhibited sense of liberation. With vocals front and center, Jess belts from the whole body a sonorous anthem of desire, passion, and the whirlwind phenomenon of real love. This is the song you sing in the shower, at the end of the karaoke night, or five hours into your road trip, with a small giddiness. Against a backdrop of full-bodied country sound (complete with a fiddle and was that a muted banjo?), she sings a song about the all-consuming love that is beyond words, advice, and anything you thought you understood. The catchy chorus captures it all, ending with, “If you're talking about saving your soul and setting your heart on fire, you’re preachin’ to the choir.”

Aptly titled, the lyrics frequently compare that uncontrollable feeling of love to religion. I enjoy how the writing seems to shift aside the classic stereotypes, instead opting to be playful with church culture using concepts to describe the ethereal connection between two humans, such as holy ground, heaven, and saving one’s soul. The comparison echoed in the small inserts of a gospel backup chorus, creating a playful edginess.

And there’s a whole album behind this track! The latest self-titled album, “Jessica,” includes credits to several acclaimed songwriters. Already racking up listens, with this new album we can expect Jess and the Bandits to keep rockin their way forward. I’ve saved one of the best surprises for last because it seems that Jess and the Bandits found this success much farther away from home than we thought. Who knew a big piece of Texas could hit so hard in the UK?!

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