Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaimee Harris.
Jaimee, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’ve been playing music for eighteen years. Writing for fourteen of those years. I’ve had the great honor of singing background vocals for many of my favorite artists / heroes (Jimmy LaFave, Jane Ellen Bryant, Kevin Russell). However, I’ve never released a record. It’s taken me a long time, and I had to go through some stuff… like, the criminal justice system… but I’ve finally recorded my debut record. We’re currently in the stages of planning our release.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I think most people would consider me a “singer-songwriter,” and I guess I couldn’t argue with that. However, I think of myself as a songwriter. I study songwriting and work on the craft every single day. I am obsessed with songwriting.
When something is stirring inside of me — joy or demons — I feel this intense need to release it in song, so I can take back some of my power. Restore balance. Songwriting keeps me as sane as possible for this DNA. I don’t always have the words ready to fire in conversation. Especially if the subject matter is deep. I have to process and consider my reply before letting it fly. With songwriting, I like knowing that I only have three or four verses, a chorus, and maybe a bridge to say what I want to say. I’m forced to choose every word carefully. I put the words to the page, release, and restore peace. I think by writing with that in mind, in that state of intensity, the result is a vulnerable expression.
In January of 2017, I began my year touring in Terlingua. We hiked the Santa Elena canyon the weekend of the travel ban. My travels ended in December in New York. Half way through the year, while reading *On the Road* while I was on a west coast tour with Jane Ellen Bryant, I realized: “By the end of 2017, I will have traveled to every place that’s mentioned in ‘This Land is Your Land'” As I continue to travel the country in a time that seems so divided, I’m reminded again that songs break down walls.
I mean — there I am. A queer with a rainbow tattoo right there on my left arm, singing about depression. It’s a pop song, but I’m playing it on an acoustic guitar. I’ll follow up it up with a song about how I got sober after my second arrest. People who, on the surface, seem quite different from me will come up to me after the show. They’ll share with me their experiences in recovery. How they just lost their best friend to suicide. How they know the hard fight with depression. Without hearing these songs – by just looking at me – these people may have just judged me. Conservatives – because I’m queer, quirky, and tattooed. Liberals – who may not realize I’m a spiritual person. I hope by sharing my story in song, we can see that there is more that connects us than separates us. If we start looking, maybe we’ll start to see we have more in common than we realize. Then, maybe we can start working together. I’ve seen it happen with my songs. Those connections. That is why I am continually inspired to write.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I’ve had lots of conversations on this topic with other artists. Personally, I feel a greater responsibility with what I do. I have written some sociopolitical material. We’ve been playing it live. For the things I don’t yet have words for, I’m grateful for Peter Case’s “Put Down the Gun,” and Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.”
My good friend Glenn — he played bass for Jimmy LaFave for many years — once said “having half of the information is worse than having none of the information, because you act on it.” I can understand why people would make assumptions about the criminal justice system if they haven’t been through it. Or met anyone who’s been through it. I know conservatives and liberals alike who have never met a queer Christian. But they probably know someone who’s been affected by suicide, depression, or addiction. They probably have experienced heartache in their lifetime. This is the story I’m telling. My hope is to focus on what binds us together and to open minds by sharing my story.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Since we have not yet released the record, you can catch one of our live shows! Visit www.jaimeeharris.com to find out when we’ll be in your area. This is a DIY operation. One of the best ways to support is to tell your friends about us if you like what we’re doing. We’re on a folk budget here, so word of mouth is our best friend. Coming out to our live shows is also the BEST way to support! We love sharing these songs with you. Come be a part of the experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jaimeeharris.com
- Phone: 2542144471
- Email: booking@jaimeeharris.com
- Instagram: @jaimeeharris
- Facebook: @jaimeeharrisofficial
- Twitter: @jaimeeharris
- Other: https://www.sadgirlsgowest.com/
Image Credit:
Brandon Aguilar, Daniel Cavazos, John Gessner
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