Paignton's Jess Brown set for regional finals of Open Mic UK auditions

By PRSD, on Friday, September 25, 2009

Singer/songwriter Jess Brown from Paignton has made it through to the regional finals of the Open Mic UK auditions. The PRSD caught up with her to ask about how it all came about:

I found out about the competition as it was at a venue I knew of in Leamington Spa and realised it was nationwide and also happening at St George’s in Bristol.

Basically there are three rounds to the competition and so far I made it through to the regional finals which are again held at St George’s at the end of October.

The process at the first round of auditions required contestants to sing an original or cover version of a song in two minutes to a panel of three judges. We had the option of singing to a backing track, with an instrument or acapella so I sang acoustically with my guitar. Afterwards we were told who would go through to the next round.

I haven’t been in many of these types of competition before but as I could possibly promote my own music I thought it was worth checking out. I did however enter a competition run by the Herald Express looking for local artists with the aim of forming a band and made it through to the final for the lead singer.

I’ve been playing and writing songs for some time and although originally from Devon, lived in California for eight years where I played in various bands as well as a solo artist. I’ve been back in the UK for two years now and have really been able to focus on writing and performing in that time. My influences range from singer songwriters from the ’70s including Joni Mitchell to indie pop/rock artists and bands like PJ Harvey and Radiohead. Also, song forms used in blues and jazz have really influenced my songwriting as well but I essentially try and draw on lots of different styles to create something that doesn’t sound like a specific genre.

The next step for me is to get a full-length album of songs recorded and to market it and hopefully tour at some point. I’m hoping this competition will at least give me some more exposure and help raise my profile both locally and farther afield.

• Jess’s video How Does It Feel is D+CFilm’s Something for the Week. Scoot on over and have a gander.