Radiohead, Lisa Germano, Patty Griffin, U2, Hamell on Trial, distortion, Elvis Costello, Everything But the Girl, gospel music, Lach, Mary Ann Farley, Paula Carino, Tom Nishioka, Cat Power, Hole, Bruce Springsteen, early '80's hardcore (punk), post-punk, David Ford, Secret Machines, Bjork, the Breeders, heroin (the Universal Symbol for Addiction), cigarettes.
Sounds Like
"Jocelyn Ryder sings like an angel who's been dragged ass-backwards through hell. Except when she sings like a hellion who's been touched with grace. She sings like the sweetheart of the rodeo in steel-toed Doc Martins, and her blues are cast in iron. She's punker than you'll ever be and you don't want to get on the wrong side of her dark side though you're much more likely to catch the smile in her low notes. It's easier to note what she doesn't sound like. She doesn't sound like Ethel Mermen fronting NWA. But she could if she wanted to. This is a woman with a rare voice." -- David Smay, Author "Tom Waits' Swordfishtrombones (Thirty Three and a Third Series)"
Jocelyn Ryder has been singing for her whole entire life. And writing songs, too. But not for her whole entire life. She just started after she listened to the Who and David Bowie a few times, and some Cheap Trick and then U2.
Most of the time Jocelyn would write songs about Important Things like Life and Injustice and How Things Should Really Be. But most of the time, the songs weren't very good. But that's OK 'cause she was only like, 14.
Some years later, Jocelyn went to a place called the Sidewalk Cafe on the Lower East Side of New York City. Her best friend was there doing the Monday night Anti-Hoot open mic. Jocelyn really liked it and decided to go back. And then she started singing there a capella (that means without music or instruments--sometimes, though, after she became a regular there--the crowd would bang on tables and clap along with her).
Then she learned how to play guitar. She put a band together and started doing shows. It was really, really fun. She made friends with some very interesting people and met a boyfriend, a roommate, bandmates, her guitar teacher, the producer of her first cd ("On the Train") and Lach, who coined the term Anti-Folk, who is an awesome songwriter and performer and who runs the Sidewalk's amazing music scene and who was always very encouraging and supportive.
In the Winter of 2001, Jocelyn released her first cd: "On the Train." The release party was at the C-Note on Avenue C in the East Village. It was a really packed house and Jocelyn had a great time. She invited her friends to play: Paula Carino, Mary Ann Farley and Tom Nishioka, her producer. Her friend Katrina Foster, a minister, blessed the cd.
After September 11th, Jocelyn didn't play so many shows. She felt sad and it took awhile for her to feel like singing her songs about addiction and broken heartedness was still a good idea.
Then Jocelyn moved to San Francisco. She's been in semi-retirement.
JFJO returns San Francisco in support of their new album One Day in Brooklyn on Fri. Sept. 11th at Cafe Du Nord, with The Last Ambassadors supporting. Doors at 8:30pm and music at 9:30pm. Advance tickets still available. JFJO is also in Santa Cruz at Kuumbwa Jazz Center tonight! See you soon!
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey returns to the Bay Area for 3 shows this week!
Wed. 6/17 - Elbo Room - SF,CA
Thurs. 6/18 - Starry Plough - Berkeley,CA
Fri. 6/19 - Starry Plough - Berkeley,CA (w/Antioquia!)
JFJO just released their new studio album 'Winterwood' as a FREE DOWNLOAD! Download it now, then go see JFJO live at Yoshi's Oakland tomorrow (Feb.12th). Early show @ 8pm and late show @ 10pm.
Get Winterwood now at WWW. JFJO. COM!
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wow Jocelyn. that song (Mi Padre) is so moving. wow. you sound beautiful, the effect of the whispers... the whole thing. seems like you've come long way since the days on 'On a Train' (altho I still LOVE that stuff)... but all I can say now is Wow. just - wow.
The new song is great. It sounds like it should be in a "David Lynch" film. I'm half expecting midgets and cowboys to start appearing out of nowhere any minute now. Good Stuff!
Cheers,
C
RHP
things are going great over here! Prague is BEAUTIFUL, but Germany was rough. Going to Italy next week! Yay! I've mostly been playing out on the street 'cause there's no open mics.
Hope you're doing great! Is your new song "Padre"? It's touching.
JFJO returns San Francisco in support of their new album One Day in Brooklyn on Fri. Sept. 11th at Cafe Du Nord, with The Last Ambassadors supporting. Doors at 8:30pm and music at 9:30pm. Advance tickets still available. JFJO is also in Santa Cruz at Kuumbwa Jazz Center tonight! See you soon!
