Cast Upon “Chasing Spirits” Music Video by Jess Williamson
Folk wonder Jess Williamson, slowly but surely, allows us into her upcoming album Time Ain’t Accidental. And neither are her releases! First, Williamson released “Hunter,” a clear-eyed song that speaks to the core of the album’s carnal and earthy energy, and followed it up with a music video. “Chasing Spirits” was released next, now with the company of its breathtaking music video. The record is out June 9th on Mexican Summer.
The record comes from a protracted breakup from the start of the pandemic, where Williamson delves into loss, isolation, romance, and personal triumph. The core image is of Williamson’s tectonic shift as a person, colored by her classic country sway and folky expanse. In fair weather or foul, her music is honey for the heart.
“‘Chasing Spirits’ opens with a question: are my love songs lies now that the love is gone? You can write a deeply devotional love song about a partner and then one day break up. In that same vein, the title of this song has multiple interpretations. Chasing spirits can be a way of trying to connect with supernatural entities or one’s own higher self, and also, you order spirits at the bar or pick them up at the liquor store, maybe with a chaser”
Jess Williamson
The video is both vast and intimate. Layers of bright colors and muted skies twirl with the song itself. The duality between the scenes out in the open and in social settings represents Williamson’s two homes of Los Angeles and Marfa, Texas. The party scenes have strangers making out and smoking, and in the field she thinks of ways to make the city feel more like the wild. Her spirit, wherever and with whoever, remains, and does so victoriously.
The Texas born artist wrote a suite of demos based on the rickety journey of dating in LA and brought them to Brad Cook, in Durham. Cook had produced Williamson’s co-written album with Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee). The duo Plains brought a fierce lineup of floral country bangers in I Walked With You A Ways (2022). The familiarity between her and Cook allowed Williamson to unleash her voice and recorded only a few takes per song. Time Ain’t Accidental is looking to be remarkably confident, born from searching and grown with recognition of life’s whimsy and its murkiness too.
Be sure to check out the video for “Chasing Spirits” as well as “Hunter.” Listen to the singles below and look out for Jess Williamson on tour this summer May 19th until June 17th!
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