Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter: Artist You Should Know

I walked in the studio last week during Morning Becomes Eclectic and scanned Jason Bentley’s stack of CD’s to get an idea of what he’s into at the moment. He picked up the new CD by Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter, held it in the air, and said something along the lines of, if you really want something that will blow your mind right now, this is the one.

Jason’s endorsement is even more interesting considering he’s a new fan. He wasn’t familiar with the band before “Marble Son”, but it’s clear the album made a big impact.

Come To Mary by Jesse Sykes

It’s hard to believe this is the first release from the Seattle band since their 2007 album “Like Love, Lust and the Open Halls of the Soul”. It wasn’t until I saw them live in our studios on that tour that I totally GOT it. Once I saw Jesse it made a lot more sense – she looked straight out of the 70’s with long, straight hair and big glasses – and their sound reflects that era. And once I got it, I was spellbound. It is music filled with sorrow, darkness and spirituality.

They take that sound to the next level on “Marble Son” which alternately roars, shimmers and creates an enthralling soundscape of folk and psychedelia. Sykes produced the new disc alongside bandmate Phil Wandscher (co-founder of Whiskeytown with Ryan Adams). Enjoy a preview!

RR