User:Jhollan5

Jess Holland is a country kid, but with a penchant for hooks and a voice that defies definition and QUOTE: “Could peel the paint off walls” – Mike McClellan, she is not your average country kid.

She won the prestigious title of 2011 Voice of Urban Country at the Urban Country Music Festival and chosen as a Top 20 Finalist in the 2011 Toyota Star Maker Competition. On top of that, Jess is a graduate from the 2011 CMAA Country Music College and has recently recorded her debut solo album, Introducing Jess Holland.

Born in Mudgee NSW in 1986 and with a musical heritage that can cite a Grandfather as a founding member of well known bush band, 'The Stringybark band', Jess's toes are strongly planted in country. However, as her parents exposed her to a wide variety of music from a young age, Jess is well versed in many a genre and impossible to pigeon hole as an artist. Drawing from the country base and adding on layers of classic rock, soul, folk and roots she certainly has a unique style and sound all to her own.

It all began when she was three and she sat down at a piano and began to teach herself by ear. From here on in, any instrument placed in her path had to be conquered. At nine she was participating in musical groups in her local community of Mudgee in the NSW Central West.

It soon became evident Jess harnessed powerhouse vocals that drew from all of the influences she had been exposed to. During her later school years, Jess began to take music seriously. The HSC year was a turning point with Jess taking the step to be front woman in her own band and beginning to play regularly at wine bars and pubs in the area. This group evolved into McGee, where you will still find her behind the mic, playing mandolin, keyboard or the acoustic guitar on any given night.

Once Jess left school, she attended the University of New England, Armidale, where she studied a Bachelor of Rural Science. Whilst in Armidale, Jess continued to perform in local bars and venues as a solo act; however she still performed on a regular basis with McGee in Mudgee.

After completing her degree, Jess’s recording career commenced in 2008 with her band, recording their debut self-titled EP, which included songs such as ‘Southern Comfort’ and ‘Witness to Babylon’. Jess and McGee secured a spot on the '2008 A Day on the Green' line up at Robert Oatley Vineyards, where the singer could unleash her ballsy pipes along side acts such as Operator Please, Dragon, The Angels and Hoodoo Gurus. In conjunction with this festival debut, McGee successfully launched their EP, however the real triumph of the day was the new level of exposure granted to this gifted singer and musician, with Jess being heard by many new sets of ears.

In 2009 Jess participated in a compilation CD recording, ‘Pick of the Bunch’ showcasing McGee’s new single, ‘When you know’, along with other local talent from the Central West. The following year, Jess took the definitive step and launched her solo career as a country music artist, touring Central Western NSW and Southern Queensland.

2011 kicked off to a huge start, with Jess being chosen as a Top 20 Finalist for the 2011 Toyota Star Maker. The event was a wonderful success for Jess and proved to be a massive achievement for her career. Soon after Star Maker, Jess began to establish herself as a country music artist and continued to increase her professional status amongst the industry. She has continued to tour around Central Western and Northern NSW, supporting artists such as Luke Dickens, Uncle Bobs Jug Band and Adam Kilpatrick.

Jess also performed at the Channel 9 ‘Farmer Wants a Wife’ wedding for Scott Warby in April 2011, has entertained hundreds at the Nindigully Flood Relief Fundraising Concert, as well as made appearances at several fundraising events such as Relay for Life.

Jess was awarded the title of the 2011 Voice of Urban Country in May 2011, a competition held in Caboolture in alliance with the Urban Country Festival. The title opened doors for exposure and opportunities, and allowed Jess to drill her roots as a country artist further.

Although Jess continued writing songs for her debut album, the project took a backseat whilst she recorded and released an acoustic EP, Test for a Cowboy, at the start of August 2011. The EP is a five song dedication to friend and Mudgee poet, Kevin Pye. Kevin wrote these particular poems for Jess to record and heavily influenced Jess’s ability and style. Tracks include ‘Hometown Lights’, ‘Truckin’ Hours’ and of course ‘Test for a Cowboy’.

Soon after recording the EP, Jess was accepted into and graduated from the 2011 CMAA Country Music College in Tamworth in July, allowing her to participate in the Hats Off to Country Festival in Tamworth. Her musical abilities were soon exposed, with Jess being encouraged and mentored by renowned musicians such as Lynn Bowtell, Mike McClellan and Lawrie Minson. She was quickly stamped as a country artist to look out for, being compared to the legendary soundings of Janis Joplin and Emmy Lou Harris.

Jess finished recording a third project in September 2011 - her solo debut album, ‘Introducing Jess Holland’ in September. The album features ten of her own tracks including ‘Iddy Biddy Pride’, Where I’m From’ and ‘My Kinda Town’.

Jess was lucky enough to have one track from the album ‘Ain’t Much Better’ selected for the ‘AMES Unsigned and Original Compilation CD’, a seventeen-song collaboration between AMES (Australian Music & Entertainment Scene) and Austep Music. The CD was released in April 2011, and received great reception after being distributed to industry professionals and media personnel.

Jess also won a performance place at the 2012 Telstra Road to Discovery competition, held at the Toowoomba Festival of the Flowers. Although she did not progress further in this competition, it provided her with experience and exposure to industry professionals.

Jess performs with the Silver Spurs - formally known as Jess Holland and The Silver Spurs.