Jesse Woods Traded Pigskin for Gibson [free Mp3]

Sparks – Jesse Woods

Jesse Woods was a football star at his Texas high school and even played wide receiver for a few years at Texas A&M University. That was, however, before he traded the pigskin for a Gibson and began writing gentle songs not generally expected from an athletic, explosive personality type. Woods is a member of a crop of young musicians influenced by traditional American roots music who don’t indulge in the unnecessary overproduction common to most radio friendly country hits (other members of the crew include Caitlin Rose and Jonny Corndawg).

Woods’ EP Moon Rocks opens with a white noise scratchiness reminiscent of the sound of an old needle gliding along the ridges of a well-played record. The nostalgic tone carries on into the first track “Sparks,” an achy heart, love-you-from-afar kind of song. Woods, an Austin, Texas native lists Townes Van Zandt as his number one influence, drawing an obvious comparison to his own material. Both men favor fingerpicked acoustic guitar layered over a steady bass line and minimal percussion, but Woods’ vocals are more ghostly and ethereal, sounding as if they were recorded in a vast, empty room with stone walls. Woods calls this pairing of warm acoustics with airy elements “dream folk”.

Jesse Woods also proves he knows his indie audience by continuing Moon Rocks with a cover of Neon Indian’s “Mind, Drips”. Stripped of its synth and drum/bass loops, Woods’ version reveals the underlying song structure of the chillwave favorite, and may have converted some Neon Indian opponents in the process (this writer included).

Moon Rocks was released in 2010 as a follow-up to Jesse Woods’ eponymous debut LP, self-released in 2009. He mostly performs in Austin, Texas, having made multiple appearances at the South by Southwest and Austin City Limits music festivals. His next gig is August 12that famous Austin music venue Emo’s where he will be providing support for The David Mayfield Parade.