Music

A proud owner of soaring vocal ability and some fresh, frank, original songs, Sydney-based singer-songwriter Jess Macc will be releasing her official debut single, ‘Win Some, Lose Some’, (and its accompanying music video), on the 30th of June.

Described as a ‘music maker and photo taker’, and ‘a professional on both sides of the camera’, Macc recently returned from eight years of living and working in Los Angeles. Whilst overseas in the US, Macc worked as a photographer in fashion, sports and music and lent her talents to non-profit organisations. A decision to commence studying at the California Centre for Digital Arts furthered her varied creative education experience, which Macc had previously attained through courses at Ultimo TAFE, the Australian Institute of Music, the Australian Centre for Photography, and the Actors College of Theatre and Television. In LA, she also wrote a collection of new songs in collaboration with Hawaiian-born singer-songwriter Kazi Jay, an artist who appeared on the thirteenth season of America’s Got Talent and in an online photo series for Macc’s own photography blog.

‘Win Some, Lose Some’ is one of these songs, which carefully details the messy reality of living with an addiction. The single was recorded and produced by Daniel ‘Cupcake’ Natoli at Daniel Natoli Audio, who shares co-songwriting duties with Macc and Jay. Macc begins her four minute confessional with a soulful, engaging vocal delivery that emotionally soars in pitch over three choruses. Evocative phrases like “walls of pain”, “broken girl”, and “all shame” hint at the mental turmoil that Macc endured prior to writing this song, from a time before she’d summarised her opinions on personal addiction. Notable sonic features include rumbling orchestral drums, which compliment the intensity of the choruses, as well as cascading drops of electronic piano and swells of vintage organ. Part of the song’s namesake is delivered in its last three words, which fade out eerily in an ethereal voice from Macc. Ultimately, the song’s rich production and dramatic structure lend a refreshing cinematic quality to ‘Win Some, Lose Some’. The resulting sense of epic emotion could easily allow this single to be featured on the soundtrack of a dramatic Hollywood blockbuster, although Macc is currently enjoying a reconnection to her Australian roots.

With this cinematic atmosphere in mind, it’s fitting that ‘Win Some, Lose Some’ will be accompanied by a bold and glamorous music video - an finished, upcoming piece which was produced by an all-female team from The Wild Productions. Macc’s previous, pro-shot music video for her cover of The Proclaimers’ ‘500 Miles’ can be found on her website, jessmacc.com. On the site, you can also see Macc’s generous collection of varying photo work, as well as the portraiture on her aforementioned photography blog. Along with shooting Kazi Jay, Macc has also shot personalities such as Thundamentals’ Tuka, Home & Away’s Raechelle Banno, MTV’s The Hills’ Jason Wahler, pro skater Christian Hosoi, and Olympic medalist Rachael Adams. Understandably, Macc credits much of her stylistic influences to the adventures that her photography has taken her on.

Jess Macc is an artist to be remembered. On the 30th of June, after you see and hear her perform this eclectically-arranged original song in such a melodic and heart-wrenching way, it’ll be hard for you to forget her.

Words by Corin Shearston