Jess Martin’s gothic folk & modern rock blend spectral storytelling with a modern twist, reminiscent of Nick Cave or PJ Harvey. Their music feels like ghost stories sung beneath moonlit pines—haunting yet inviting, with melodies that echo themes of nature, identity, and belonging.
Discover more on their website & stream their music on Bandcamp.
Multimedia & Collaborative Projects
- Shadow, Sound, Spectacle: Literary Monsters This innovative multimedia show merges original music with shadow puppetry and cinematography to reimagine classic gothic figures through a contemporary, queer lens. Initially supported by grants from Newton, Holyoke, and Springfield, the project is expanding dynamically in 2026 into libraries across Massachusetts, with upcoming bookings at the Worcester, Dedham, and Norwood Public Libraries. The 2026 season is proudly supported by local cultural council grants from Brockton and Easthampton.
- Echoes of Nature Created alongside poet Kim Hoff, this immersive music and poetry project explores local landscapes to foster environmental awareness, queer identity, and inclusive community spaces. Originally rooted in Hampshire County (with support from local cultural councils in Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton, and Williamsburg), the initiative is expanding its footprint across the Commonwealth in 2026 with new grant support from the Framingham, Gardner, and Holyoke cultural councils.
- The Honkytonk QueerTones A vibrant new four-piece project, The Honkytonk QueerTones injects a brilliant, queer perspective into classic roots and country-fried sounds. Combining driving rhythms with sharp songwriting, the band creates a welcoming, high-energy space for outsiders, dreamers, and music lovers alike.
2026 Releases & Community Leadership
In 2026, Jess releases their project Exquisite. This dynamic project features a collaboration with four distinct producers—Erin McKeown, Nate Mondschein, James Robinson, and Jopey Fitzpatrick—with each putting their own unique sonic spin on four original songs from the Literary Monsters production.
Beyond the studio and the stage, Jess remains deeply committed to grassroots community building. They are currently in their third year of facilitating and hosting the Song Share Sessions in Northampton, MA—a vital, creative incubator dedicated to supporting women, nonbinary, and trans singer-songwriters. Jess's community work has been featured in the Hampshire Gazette and on Valley Free Radio’s The Town Crier.
