Jess Royer and Jake Johns Bring Soulful Storytelling Songs to Bobby's Place

Thursday, Feb. 18

Take a nice respite from the cold February weather, grab a drink, and warm yourself up to two of the best songwriters in the area. Jess Royer has been making a name for herself lately, playing numerous events large and small. While her voice has no trouble filling a room of any size, cozy venues like Bobby's Place provide an added intimacy. The virtue of such an intimacy might be debatable when it comes to full-band rock and roll, but for these two performers, it's undeniable. Both artists are warm, introspective, and inviting. Nearly everyone who's heard Royer's voice has become mesmerized by it. Her alto is saturated and remarkable, undulating somewhere between Ella Fitzgerald and Cat Power.

Royer recently recorded a full length album with Trevor Huster, which she'll be releasing shortly. She also has plans to pick up a few more musicians along the way, so keep tuned for that. The evening is part of a showcase series curated by Matt Texter. Excited about the team-up, Royer exclaimed that "I'm genuinely so happy to be playing with Jake. He just has this amazing spirit, and you can really hear it come out through his music. You'll love it." Johns mixes his soulful baritone voice with intelligent, creative storytelling. For a starting point, try picturing Matt Berninger from the National covering Colin Hay. Acoustic guitar in hand, he keeps a steady pulse with a subtle foot tambourine. The light beat provides a backdrop as dynamics climb and cascade. Tones transition from woeful to humorous, with everything in between. You're sure to be easily won over by both artists. — Nick Warren

8 - 11 p.m. // Bobby's Place, 1202 W. 18th St. // Free Admission