Out now, New York City singer-songwriter Jessie Kilguss introduces her latest single, ‘Fool’s Fight’—a stirring preview of her new album, ‘They Have A Howard Johnson’s There’, her sixth studio release. The track, engineered, produced, mixed, and mastered by Charlie Nieland (known for his work with Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie, and Scissor Sisters), delivers a powerful blend of folk-influenced pop-rock. Kilguss explores the wild surrender that comes with an all-consuming relationship, capturing the feeling of being swept away by a force so intense it strips away all societal pretence.
A respected figure in the New York songwriting scene, Kilguss brings a cinematic and deeply literary sensibility to her music. Her creative journey began as an actress, collaborating with luminaries such as Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Marianne Faithfull, Mary Margaret O’Hara, and Tom Waits. This background infuses her songwriting with a clever, layered nostalgia, crafting intimate soundscapes that resonate universally. Kilguss’s work reminds us that the most profound stories often emerge from the most unexpected places.
In conversation, Jessie shares insight into her creative process. “I have a songwriting club with my friend Rembert Block, who is a singer-songwriter and bandleader, and also sang backing vocals on my record. We meet every three or four weeks and share a new song with each other. Our club has been meeting for over two years now, which has been incredibly helpful for keeping us both in the habit of writing new songs on a regular basis,” she explains.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind ‘Fool’s Fight’, Kilguss reveals, “When I wrote ‘Fool’s Fight’, I was deeply ensconced in Elena Ferrante’s ‘Neapolitan Quartet’, which I loved. The song is slightly inspired by those books. As with any song, it also relates to my own life, but I like to let people project their own stories onto my songs and find their own meaning.”
With ‘Fool’s Fight’, Jessie Kilguss invites listeners into a world where vulnerability becomes strength, and every song is an open door to personal interpretation and discovery.
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Jessie Kilguss photos by Shervin Lainez/source Shameless Promotions
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