Hi, I’m Jess Kav. I’m a Songwriter, writer, poet and Vocalist

Background

Jess Kav has been a key figure in creative communities in Ireland and abroad and a prominent fixture in the Irish music scene. Raised by an Irish-Nigerian mother and Soul enthusiast, she was fed a musical diet of Motown, Jazz and Irish Indie. After studying at London’s Institute Of Contemporary Music Performance and Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Jess has focused on songwriting, touring, recording, writing and social change.

Experience

Jess has toured worldwide as a backing vocalist with The Waterboys, while also writing and releasing music with original band BARQ until 2020. She has previously worked with top Irish and international artists including Hozier, Villagers, Kodaline, The Commitments, Jape and Le Galaxie and has collaborated with top brands including Google, Amazon, Diageo, Twitter, Jameson, Audi and Smithwicks. Over lockdown, Jess has been working with The Irish Times Magazine as a feature writer, and as a contributor to RTE's Arena . She recently spoke on Panti Bliss’ award winning podcast Pantisocracy and spoke with adoption rights activist Noelle Browne for The London Irish Centre’s ‘Imbolc’ event. In Jan 2021, Jess was a guest on acclaimed series ‘The Tommy Tiernan Show’, talking candidly about sex positivity and polyamory. In the same month Jess’ was profiled in The New York Times, discussing her creativity and the importance of racial activism in Ireland. The piece was written by Caelainn Hogan (journalist and author of culture-altering book Republic Of Shame) who Jess will be collaborating with over Spring 2021. This year, Jess is writing and releasing new music with new collaborative project, Sister Fenix, recording with the RTE Concert Orchestra, and working with The Abbey Theatre.

Social Change

BARQ’s lyrical content and narratives, focusing on self- development, identity and social commentary has given Jess the platform to contribute to discussions facilitating social change. Recently, her story has been exhibited in Ballymun Axis with Mixed Race Ireland’s “I am Irish” exhibition, focusing on people of colour with Irish Identity.

Her front cover of Hot Press’ Repeal The Eighth issue was also on display in The National Photographic archives as a part of Hot Press’ cover exhibition. In 2019 Jess’ story was included in Caelainn Hogan’s seminal book “Republic Of Shame”, an anthology of experiences from the survivors of the Magdalene laundries, mother and baby homes and industrial schools. Working with Caelainn inspired her to write a poem highlighting the personal and communal experiences of intergenerational trauma, which she premiered online in March 2020 on Panti Bliss’ podcast ‘Pantisocracy’. Over lockdown, Jess has been working with mental health festival ‘First Fortnight’ as a creative contributor and curating a zine called ‘ReFlex’ a creative collaboration prioritising Black and POC expression.

Jess has also contributed regularly to Arena on RTE Radio 1 and has both contributed and chaired panels discussing independent music strategy, creativity, feminism, race and entrepreneurship. Her eclectic background and musical tastes have made Jess Kav one of the most versatile and talented creatives around.