Sediments by BB Jones
Official Ep Release date 12/2/2022
Album Description:
The songs that comprise Sediments, the debut solo album by BB Jones, form an eclectic mix of soundscapes that carry the listener from meditations on life and love to vignettes of curious characters who populate the artist’s imagination. Each track reveals a rare sensitivity and depth, driven by captivating lyrics with musical accompaniments that draw from many genres. Sediments will enchant listeners who appreciate true mastery of the craft of songwriting.
"Lion’s Thirst" updates the trip hop sound by weaving multiple electronic elements with acoustic instruments. Impressionistic lyrics drive ambiguous visions of lions and the ocean, and what lies near them. Though the song has ominous undertones, it resolves and leaves the listener back on the shore, more confident than before.
By employing elements of Indie Rock and Baroque Pop, "Sediments" carries the listener through a rumination on the cycles of life and nature. Revealing emotional scars, the song reminds us to honor those who have gone before us by truly living our lives to the utmost.
With overtones of electronic rock and a folk sensibility, "Rose" captures the longing to connect with one’s female ancestry through a powerful melody, captivating harmonies, and inviting rhythms. A pensive piano part dances upon a driving bass line, accompanied by inviting vocals that chant charming lyrics. Rose represents the high water mark for lyrically-driven sonic art.
BB Jones’ rendition of Prom Queen’s heartbreak anthem, "Black and Blue", carries us through a powerful portrayal of a bruised heart with care and sensitivity. Her version leaves the listener hopeful in the end, after a journey through unrequited love. She does justice to the source material by providing her own take on the melody, but maintaining the integrity of its emotional subtlety.
Fusing warm electronic elements with a piano-driven accompaniment, "The Shores" captures the desire to leave home as well as the fear of the unknown. “The shore” represents the familiar, and the ocean the wild and untamed. BB Jones carries us over the waves gracefully and helps us to understand her character Cat’s predicament, whomever she is.
With flourishes of Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey, and The Cure, BB Jones masterfully depicts the nostalgia for a childhood spent among the trees and leaves in her song "Woods". The driving bass and drums carry the vocal melody, while the lyrics make the trek from wistful thoughts of one’s youth to self-assertion, and perhaps even a hint of defiance.
Credits:
All songs written by Carlynn Nelson (BBJones), except Black and Blue by Prom Queen
All instruments played by Carlynn Nelson, except guitars on “Woods” by Peder Nelson
Recorded at C&P Music Factory
Produced and engineered by Carlynn Nelson
Mixed and Mastered by Evan Schiller at Zulusound
Photography by Peder Nelson
Art Direction and Design by B. Anthony Nelson
Artist Bio:
BB Jones is the solo project of singer/songwriter Carlynn Nelson. BB Jones’ sound mixes elements of indie alternative acts like Juana Molina, Massive Attack, Bjork, Fiona Apple, Karen O. and PJ Harvey. Born and raised outside of Chicago, BB Jones grew up learning piano, making her own radio stations with friends on her tape recorder, and being inspired by her father’s bass playing and singing. As a young girl she was told, “girls don’t play bass” and has been proving that statement wrong ever since.
BB Jones has been involved in the Seattle music scene since 2001. She has played with various bands, but most recently formed SULK with husband Peder Nelson and Theatrical Producer, Jasper McCann. SULK just put on a killer show at one of the top record stores in the country, Easy Street Records. BB also plays in the eclectic female trio, Mannequin BBQ. In addition to playing Seattle Summer Festivals, Mannequin BBQ also traveled to Holywood to be in Will Arnett and Mike Myers reinvented version of The Gong Show,
BB Jones took bass and recording lessons from the bassist of Duff McKagen’s Loaded band, Jeff Rouse. Now she is ready to release her first ever self-recorded and produced solo album, Sediments. After hearing Sediments, Seattle music legend Kurt Bloch exclaimed, “I daresay, this is a formidable piece of work indeed!” and KEXP DJ, Troy Nelson said, “Wow, this is way better than I expected it to be!” and then promptly asked to listen to it again. This seems to be a common reaction to this unique artist. With rich, thoughtful, in-depth and heart wrenching songs, audiences are sure to be captivated by the incredible BB Jones.
Artist Statement:
While I have released albums with other bands, this is my very first solo album. Over the past few years, I recorded everything myself in my home using Garage Band. I learned as I went and made a million mistakes along the way. I recorded one track at a time for each song and continued adding layers until each song made me feel proud. When I listen back, I can't believe all of the work and time it took me just to complete these six songs. I am beyond thrilled with how the album turned out.