An eccentric troubadour originating from the lush island of Tasmania, Jesse McCormack plays a passionate blend of Anglo-Celtic, Nordic, and Australian folk music delivered in a vibrant flourish of purple bohemianism, and inspired by artists such as Steeleye Span, Loreena McKennitt, Evanescence, or The Corrs. As someone who learned to read by studying CD lyric booklets while listening to the corresponding songs, Jesse has a unique and profound relationship with music that began at a very early age. He had his first piano lesson at the tender age of 11, and since his late teens has taught himself to play a small arsenal of other instruments including ukulele, whistles, dumbeg, Celtic bouzouki, and harp.
Jesse has released two studio albums: the raw and enthusiastic “Celtic-folk-meets-garage-rock” recording The Day Before the Fair (2014), and the slick-yet-earthy, history/mythology/folklore-inspired Enchanted Forest (2018). He has toured twice in Europe, and several times in Australia, including at events such as Cygnet Folk Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the National Folk Festival. These performances have either been as a solo artist, or with one of his bands: inter-generational trio Velvet Sledgehammer, classical-folk fusion duo Zoukin, eclectic folk trio The Rolling Waves, or Scandi trad duo Nordic Wombat. Apart from working with these bands, he has also shared stages with the likes of Swedish a’cappella legends The Real Group, Yorkshire “EcoRock” trio The Tenmours, and Brisbane singer/flautist Sarah Calderwood, and his latest collaboration, an alliance of bohemian lads calling themselves RainBros, have recently released their debut music video, entitled The Neighbourhood. Other forthcoming projects of his include a solo Christmas album and a duo recording with Swedish singer and fiddler Kristina Nygårds inspired by the tradition of druidism..
With his adaptations of traditional Celtic laments and love songs, spicy English murder ballads, and edgy Nordic folk tunes – as well as his own quirky original compositions – Jesse induces imaginings of fantasy worlds and cravings of dance fever. With rhythm pulsing out the ends of his fingers and harmony potently oozing from his very soul, his minstrelsy is like a fiery, reviving drink; conjuring exquisite melodies and tingly midsummer night anticipation.
Jesse McCormack 