Jill Andrews has been a musician all her life: from her first original tune in kindergarten – a ditty about the letter P – to the stage at Fillmore East. And this year, the heart-stopping voice and June-apple face of the everybodyfield’s embarks on an exciting new solo project-a brand new self-titled EP.Jill picked up a guitar for the first time when she was 19 and a camp counsellor in East Tennessee. Armed with only three chords, she had all she needed to create deep and soulful songs with lonesome melodies and haunting lyrics.
It was also at that summer camp where Jill met future band mate Sam Quinn. It was an undeniable musical union. When they joined with dobro player Dave Richey, the everybodyfields were born. The band was unstoppable. And the face of Tennessee’s roots music would never be the same.
As the fan base grew, Jill was fuelled by the fact the people really believed in the everybodyfields. She says of this time in her life, “We weren’t trying to be famous, but people kept encouraging us, so we kept playing.”
the everybodyfields toured extensively, playing at festivals like Bonnaroo and Floydfest, as well as honkytonks, bars, and theatres from coast to coast. They quickly outgrew the trio format, attracting the best of Tennessee’s finest cache of musicians and finally topping out at a band of five. Their first album, “Halfway There: Electricity and the South,” was released in 2004, followed by “Plague of Dreams” in 2005, and “Nothing is Okay” in 2007. Paste Magazine listed them in their “Best of What’s Next” issue in September 2008, saying that they “straddle old and new, bitter and sweet, desperation and transcendence with an arresting command.”
That same magic is what fans can expect from Jill’s latest project. She’s got a slew of new songs, but the themes will be familiar and fans who’ve fallen head over heels for Jill’s material can expect her signature alt-country, roots rock sound to deliver and grow.
Jill’s songs are born from true-to-life experiences and have universal themes; they reflect Jill’s deep empathy and reveal her own vulnerabilities. Jill wrote “City Noise” after moving from Johnson City to Knoxville, where she learned how fast a city can be. The song is about finding true love in the midst of betrayal. “A Way Out” was written for a childhood friend who veered off course; the song was a way for Jill to inspire and encourage her.
The songs don’t always come easy for Jill – she needs a quiet space with no distractions and a piping hot cup of tea beside her. “I usually come up with the melody in my head first,” she said. “Then I’ll figure out how to translate it to the guitar.”
TNS- What brought you to music in the first place?
We didn't really listen to much music at home but I started singing in church choir when I was in elementary school. I had a very supportive choir director that really pushed me to sing in front of the church by myself. It was very scary for a 10 year old, but she was very encouraging. Thanks Judith.
TNS- Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music?
The mission of my music is to create something honest for the listener. I want the audience to think that I am speaking to them directly.
TNS- What might people be surprised to find out about you?
I hate the internet.
TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod?
Regina Spektor. I just discovered her recently. She is amazing. My iPod is behind the couch.
TNS- If you had a crystal ball and looked forward five years, what do you see for yourself?
If all goes well, I see myself as a mother of a five year old, a wife, and a musician with a long career ahead of her.
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