Jesse Lynn Madera has just wrapped up her first ever UK tour, and it’s fair to say she enjoyed her stay.
The West Virginia-born musician was on the road with The Zombies frontman Colin Blunstone, and from the Isle of Wight to Kilmarnock, Jesse has made the most of her visit across the Atlantic.
Chatting to Erazer backstage at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne, she told us about being on the road with the man whose voice features on countless hits, from She’s Not There to I Don’t Believe in Miracles.
“It’s such an honour to get to open up for Colin,” she said. “He’s an icon. That voice, can you believe it? I’m having a great time.
“I’ve always known about The Zombies. They were big before I was born. I think I’ve known Time of the Season my whole life.”
Although not her first visit to the UK, the 16-date tour marked Jesse’s first live shows here, and the audiences were a personal highlight for her.
“You’re very good listeners,” she revealed. “[The UK crowds] really lean in. Paying attention to the details means a lot to me because I’m primarily a lyricist. I put a lot of effort into my words and I feel like they are really getting heard.”
Growing up with a soundtrack of Bonnie Raitt, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, which Jesse called her mother’s ‘divorce music,’ meant becoming a performer was inevitable.
She currently lives in Nashville, Los Angeles and New York, but it’s the latter where Jesse felt most comfortable.
“That community of New York artists still feels like home to me. There’s something to love about every place we live. I’ve learnt I have to allow myself enough time to fall in love with new places, but once I do, they’re in there.”
Jesse’s highlights of the UK tour included a trip on the Isle of Wight ferry, as well as a visit to Kilmaurs, the Scottish town her family has links to.
In between shows, the band even organised some music, cheese and wine parties.
“Some of the guys like to collect records,” Jesse said. “I bring the cheese and they bring the vinyl.”
After a successful run of dates ended with a triumphant show at the iconic Union Chapel in London, it’s fair to say Jesse will be back in the UK soon.
“Everybody’s really nice. There’s nothing lacking at all, except maybe air conditioning!”
Woke Up In LA by Jesse Lynn Madera is out now.
