Jess Pomerantz
Jess Pomerantz isn’t trying to imitate her legendary cousin, Phoebe Snow. Sure, there are similarities between the two artists. Both are poetic singersongwriters who pull their unique stories from places of hurt, loss and love. But where Snow’s musical stylings were based in folk, Pomerantz is shaping herself as a pop rock artist who draws influence from 90s rock, 60s/70s singersongwriters and theater.
Many of the songs on Simple In Disguise, her debut EP, are about love and the impact of a broken relationship. “I have experienced some very difficult break ups and have used melodies to get over my pain,” says Jess from her Manhattan home. She feels lyrics are the most important part of any song. “Through them, we learn the artists’ feelings; the inner workings of their hearts and brains.” It’s something she learned from her late, great cousin. “Phoebe first took me under her wing in my teens,” Jess explains. “I remember being 18 and meeting her for lunch at a Vegan restaurant. We ate and talked about life, our history and how lucky we are to be here after the atrocities our family suffered in Hitler’s Europe. Then she took me to her voice class. I remember thinking, ‘You're famous, why are you taking lessons?’ I was floored when my cousin, known for that deep earthy voice, started singing opera! “Then it was my turn. She made me sing a few scales and I caught the tears in her eyes. She said, ‘No matter where I am, when it's finally your turn to hit it big, know that I'm with you and watching you.’ Those words have stuck with me always. I hope Simple In Disguise makes her smile from heaven.”
“I used to sing more eclectic music, trying to make myself different,” she continues. “I found I wasn’t connecting to my fans because I wasn’t being authentic. It took me time, but I have finally found my voice.”
In addition to love, a major theme in Jess’ songs is selfd i s c o v e r y . In “Undressed,” the second track on the EP, Jess comes to understand she deserves better than being treated as second best by a guy. In “Kiss You Happy,” she realizes that a guy confessing his love for her pales in comparison to Jess conceding love for herself. “I used to want to be a doctor,” she reflects. “I thought it was the only way to help people. Then, it occurred to me that every time I felt any emotion, whether sadness, anger, or love, I turned to music. I have always found solace in the fury of Alanis Morissette, the serenity of the Dave Matthews Band and the poetry of Phoebe Snow.” She hopes fans will connect to what she’s saying in Simple In Disguise. But make no mistake, it is not an album of tranquil introspection. “Believe it or not, much of the album is danceable,” she contends. “I'm not only serious; I also love to have fun. I’m a work in progress but that doesn’t mean I can’t have a good time on this crazy ride to self-actualization.”
MARCH 08, 2017 - THE HUFFINGTON POST
MARCH 08, 2017 - THE HUFFINGTON POST
FEBRUARY 25, 2017 - AXS.COM
FEBRUARY 25, 2017 - AXS.COM
FEBRUARY 14, 2017 - ON STAGE MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY 14, 2017 - ON STAGE MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY 14, 2017 - ON STAGE MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY 10, 2017 - LOUDER THAN WAR
FEBRUARY 10, 2017 - LOUDER THAN WAR
JANUARY 22, 2017 - DIGITAL JOURNAL
JANUARY 19, 2017 - NEW YORK PATCH