Jesse Jo Stark at Turf Club, St Paul (29 Sep 2023)

 

Los Angeles’ Jesse Jo Stark headlined the Turf Club, in St Paul, last night, in support of her debut album Doomed.

Local shoegazing band she’s green, featuring Zofia on vocals, Teddy on bass, Liam on guitars, Raines on guitars, and Kevin on drums, opened the show. Although, according to Zofia, the group is from the area, but it was their first time playing the Turf Club. We’ve previously mentioned their Minneapolis shows, such as in August 2023 or January 2022 … but never mentioned they’ve played St Paul.

The group is still relatively new, so they’re introducing some new songs, such as “Clobber”. At least that’s the title they currently agreed on.

Their debut EP, Wisteria came out in June 2023.

Next up was Toronto’s Rachel Bobbitt, on her adventures through the USA. She’s joined on stage with guitarist Justice, drummer Stephen, and bassist Isaac.
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It was their first time in Minnesota, and Rachel confessed that the only thing she knows about the state is from the movie Fargo… “so no one murders anyone tonight!” she joked.

Her set included some songs from her EP The Half We Still Have, such as “Two Bit”. Although her latest release is a cover of The Cranberries’ “Dreams”, she actually didn’t play that track. Instead her cover of Sharon Van Etten’s “Love More” was played. This is one of her first cover that she posted in seven years ago.

Jesse Jo Stark has a flair for the theatrics. Her stage had gargoyles, everyone is dressed in black. Her outfit is made of tight leather (which isn’t revealed until “Tangerine”). She’s created this sort of vampire or fallen angel of darkness, and it suits her music very well.

 

I should point out that when I first saw Jesse Jo, five years ago, I was just blown away at her music, noting, “…I couldn’t get enough of their music! Their music sounds a bit like Angelfish (pre-Garbage), early Curve (pre-techno), and a little Mazzy Star (but not as sleepy). It’s driven by catchy muscular guitar hooks and Jesse Jo Stark’s seductive vocals.”

As you can see from the setlist, lots of songs from Doomed and not as much cover songs as her appearance at the Fine Line in 2018.

Jesse Jo Stark’s debut album Doomed is out now.

Remaining tour dates: