Monday, May 19, 2008

Music Monday - "Hero" - Jupiter Rising




For other tales of musical adventure, please visit Soccer Mom in Denial.

I love this song.

I've followed the career of the very talented Jessie Payo, since her blues-singing days in Jessie and the Rain Dogs, and now she's paired up with Spencer Nesey to be the second part of Jupiter Rising. Jupiter Rising is more popular on the West Coast (they're based in LA), but some of their songs ("Go!", "Electropop") have gone national.

I found Jessie because she's the daughter of my dear friend Cyndy, but I'm really struck by Jessie's incredible singing voice, writing ability and just inner beauty that shines out through her performances. She and Nesey make a smart, funky team, and I have no doubt they'll go far, far, far!

I couldn't find a video of Jessie singing "Hero," which is my favorite of their songs. I think this song is amazingly profound and perfect for our times.

Yeah.

'Cause we gotta do it ourselves.

The video below was obviously put together by a high school student from Escondido, CA. She's put together exactly the kind of thing a teen should put together - full of love for her friends and the adults in her life. She's obviously thought carefully about the lyrics. My only disappointment (and it's a big one) with this video is that the faces are not diverse - she's clearly in a fairly segregated existence - but this is her view of her world, not mine. For the general spirit, I think she did a pretty darned good job.

We all need hope in this broken world and we need our strength, 'cause there's no one who's gonna fix it for us.

Rock on, Jessie!

17 comments:

Meg said...

It's great to follow the careers of small, local or indie bands. I follow several myself (although you wouldn't know it from my music postings).

Let Jesse know that she's got to get more stuff on You Tube. Both of my son's have their original music there and I have my Irish dance videos posted. It's a great way to share and promote yourself.

And hats off to the California teen who did the video!

Meg said...

I realize I have a grammatical error in my comment--guess there's a good reason to proofread.

Jen said...

I think they have all of their videos on youtube. The thing is, that "Hero" isn't one of their featured songs yet - they have videos for Electropop and Go and tons of performance videos that folks took, and some interviews and such.

Meg said...

OK, thanks, I'll check them out. And sorry that I also spelled Jessie incorrectly.

p.s. Thanks for trying to vote for me at Humor-Blogs. But all you have to do is click the link. That's it.

Jen said...

Okay... I'll try it again. And I kept misspelling Jessie's name, too. And that was REALLY embarrassing, considering her mom is my friend. ;-)

Korie said...

Those are some great lyrics. And you can so come to Belgium and play. Gent and Leuven are pretty close to each other.

Jen said...

Even better, Lilac! Now I just need the dollar to be a viable form of currency again...

painted maypole said...

she does have a great voice, and beautiful message

Jen said...

I really think she's enormously talented, PM.

Momisodes said...

Goosebumps! That was an amazing song and video. I love her voice and what a wonderful message. Well done!

Núria said...

Thanks for sharing a beautiful song and great lyrics with us, Jen!!! Jessie's got a wonderful voice :D I also hope she gets far, far away!!!

diana murphy said...

Jessie and Spencer are adorable - and they totally rock! What a great song with an important message: It's such a simple thing/Just to do any little thing/To help someone who's suffering.

We all need each other, that's for sure. Thank you for this, Jen - and thanks for reaching out to so many of us with your kindness and generosity.

Unknown said...

thanks for stopping by Ben's blog and commenting on my pollo asado recipe!
Glad to meet you!

Bren
www.flanboyanteats.com

Jen said...

Sandy, if you like her song and message, go on their site and hear the other songs - there are some real winners.

Me, too, Nuria! I think she's wonderfully talented.

Thanks so much for the kind words, Diana! I really feel that Spencer and Jessie are trying hard to get more than just dance music out there.

Bren, it was lovely dipping into that post and I will certainly check out your blog more fully.

soccer mom in denial said...

And rock on Jenn in Michigan! Thanks for being such a devoted Music Monday gal. And sorry for being such a quiet friend these days.

Hug.

Jen said...

SMID - life away from the computer should always take precedence. ;-) I really love Music Mondays.

Leslie said...

Great song, Jen!