Sound Check Music Blog

The results are in for Virgin Mobile’s 5th Annual Book the Band Contest.  Drum roll please… Contest winners will be performing alongside some of the most relevant and eclectic artists out right now including Cee Lo, Black Keys, Patti Smith, and TV on the Radio. The Virgin Mobile FreeFest will be held at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, on September 10, 2011.

Contest winners were selected based on the amount of social network activity generated then followed by public votes. SCMB had the pleasure of interviewing one of this year’s contest winners, Jennifer Logue.


SCMB: Tell me about winning a spot at FreeFest.

JL: It all happened so suddenly. I was stoked to find out I was in the top 30 and surprised when I was in the top 10. Actually playing this festival is the cherry on the top.

Jennifer describes herself to be quite an eclectic sound; Adele meets Feist with a smooth blend of PJ Harvey.

SCMB: What artists do you look to for inspiration?

JL: Adele. Her voice is stunning and her song writing is fabulous. There’s an old school quality about her music. When I listen to her I’m reminded of why I do this. Also French singer Françoise Madeleine Hardy, from the 1960s; her voice and compositions are stunning without trying too hard.

Raised in Philadelphia and based out of NYC; this singer/songwriter will be debuting her third studio album this fall.

SCMB: How long have you been a musician?

JL: I’ve been playing music my whole life and performing since I was 15. I am a songwriter first and foremost. The most important thing is having a good song. The style of music doesn’t matter.

Her first pop album, The Women In Me, debuted in 2007 and her second album, The Pretty EP, in 2009.

Alongside being an accomplished musician, Logue also enjoys the journalistic forums of music. She has had the opportunity to interview several music heavyweights herself—including Billy Joel, James Taylor, and Jason Mraz.

 SCMB: Which artists have you been the most excited about interviewing?

JL: Billy Joel. I love him. He’s an amazing and fantastic songwriter. James Taylor, Jason Mraz; they are such good people. You can tell they strive everyday to grow a little more which is very refreshing.

While Promoting The Pretty EP, she was inspired to produce her newest album, Split Sessions, with a focus centered around songwriting–and producing all tracks with real instruments, nothing synthetic. She describes the album as “gritty, organic and raw”.

 SCMB: What else do you want us to know?

JL: Up until this point I have been experimenting, trying a lot of new things to create something that feels right. I feel very disconnected from my older albums. The progression of my music, my sound, is so much different. Voice, guitar, everything feels connected now. Split Sessions is who I am. I want to put on a great show at VMF and to make sure the audience has a great experience. I am most excited to perform with the Black Keys and Cee Lo. In fact, I have a whole playlist on my iPhone dedicated to the Black Keys.  

Split Sessions was successfully funded in part by her fans whom she “split” the cost with via a Kickstarter Campaign. A program she launched to help cover recording costs.

The album is scheduled to debut on September 22. Fans can listen to two preview tracks, “Damned” and “Incognito,” which can be heard here. Jennifer will be giving away VIP tickets to the festival over the next few days, with details to come on her official facebook page: www.facebook.com/ilikelogue.

Other winners of Virgin Mobile’s 2011 Book the Band Contest include Run on the Sun out of Connecticut, Fourth Quarter Comeback out of Virginia, Kingsfoil out of Pennsylvania, and Clear for Take Off out of Maryland. In keeping with the name, FreeFest tickets are free to the public, but were “free’d out” in a matter of minutes. Those still wanting to attend can volunteer to earn a free ticket through The RE*Generation program, Virgin Mobile’s charitable initiative focused on ending youth homelessness. More detailed information can be found at virginmobilefestival.com.


[GirlTalk]

JL: I’m a music junkie, but I’m also very into food, wine, cheese, and clothing. 

SJ: I’m a foodie!!!

JL: Being a a music connoisseur can be compared to being a “foodie”. You can consume any convenient food, i.e. McDonalds, or you can hunt for good food. It’s the same way with music. You can consume only what’s provided for you on the radio or you can hunt out interesting flavors. It’s only by listening to different types of artists that you broaden your palette.

Jennifer shared with us that when hurricane Irene paid them a visit, she made sure to stock up on good wine and cheese.  Who needs water? For more insight into her day-to-day life, visit her blog at: www.thingsthatzing.wordpress.com. It’s hilarious and real. Trust me.

Enjoy the festival. Be safe.