Jackie Venson was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and still lives there. Her music incorporates many of the diverse genres (blues, soul, rock, hip-hop, electronica) that have found a home in the “Live Music Capital of the World,” as the town’s official slogan proclaims. She said the Midwest is more responsible for the growth and development of American music as an art and entertainment form than her hometown.
“Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis—those places are the epicenter of it all. Austin can’t hold a candle to what those cities have brought the world,” Venson explained. She cites Motown soul, Windy City blues, and Twin Cities funk as just a few examples of how the middle of the country has impacted the global scene. “The importance of the Midwest cannot be overstated,” she added, knowing that many in Austin would find her words heretical.
Venson spoke in a loud, clear voice as if she were making pronouncements and daring one to challenge her authority. She loves Austin and prizes her annual January residency in downtown Austin at Antone’s as her favorite place to play. However, she chafes at the provincial notion that somehow people from the Texas capital are more musically special than those from elsewhere. She will appear in Des Moines at xBk Live on Friday, May 9, as part of her upcoming Midwestern tour.
The Lone Star native grew up exposed to music not because of her geography as much as the result of having an artistically inclined family. Her father, Andrew, has been a professional bass guitarist for more than 40 years and has played in several different jazz and rock bands. Her mother was a music lover who exposed her daughter to Broadway show tunes, film soundtracks, and other styles. Her brother was a fan of hip-hop and introduced her to acts like the Black Eyed Peas and Lauryn Hill when she was growing up.
Jackie herself graduated from the Berklee College of Music as a classical pianist, majoring in composition and studio production. Describing her music in terms of genres is difficult because she blends them all together in her own personal style. The multi-instrumentalist said she knew she wanted to make a living through the arts, but there wasn’t much call for classical pianists. She said her father taught her that players who sing make more money than those who don’t.
Venson said there are tons of ways to earn an income through music as compared with the other arts like dance or drama. “One could be a waitress in a club, a tour manager, or venue owner, or be in a cover band, do original music, or join a tribute band,” she said. “But I knew I wanted to be a performer who toured and traveled, and that I wanted to be on the stage doing my own thing.” Making the switch from piano to electric axe has been beneficial. She has since released five albums, toured internationally, and been heralded by many as one of the nation’s best guitarists.
She also uses loops and digital technology to create special effects that complement her playing. “Even as a kid I was attracted to electronic music. When I was 10 or 11 years old, I would disguise my age and get together with others in AOL chat rooms to discover and discuss the music’s possibilities.” She noted that technology has allowed her to perform with a large band or just by herself and still have a full sound. She knowingly joked that there is never a moment of silence during her shows. “There is always a sound coming from somewhere, and that’s intentional,” she said. The purpose is to immerse her audience in the experience.
While Venson knows how much she has benefited from new technology, she is also well aware of its downside. She sees herself as part of the “guinea pig generation“ that grew up with the internet. “It’s cool that we are all instantly connected to each other, but in some ways this has also worked to separate us from each other,” she said. “I have been traveling for the past six years, and I have learned that we all want the same things: a nice place to live, a cool job, and the ability to pay bills, eat good food, and have fun with family and friends. The virtual world suggests that others are different than we are and makes them into monsters. In the real world we are all the same.” She noted that there are some that have a vested interest in keeping people apart to make money or gain power. It is our role as individuals to see each other as we see ourselves.
“Don’t believe the propaganda. We need to open our psyches and work together to create a better world for everyone,” Venson said. “We all need to care about the greater good.”
This philosophy also informs her latest project. In the past, Venson would write all the songs on the record and then invite her band to play on them. The next album will involve her inviting the band to the studio and writing the songs together. She understands the benefits of having everyone contribute to the album’s creation. All voices (even the instrumental ones) need to be heard.