ICYMI: Jennifer Tefft Brings Gritty-lush Alternative Rock To The Tradesman

MILFORD, MA—Any band will tell you that live music is a rough racket these days. Particularly for original artists, finding audiences, places to play, and avenues to dish out your music battles with home media and satellite radio.

Songwriter Jennifer Tefft, frontperson for the Jennifer Tefft Band, has been surfing the musical waves for more than 20 years and is one of the true survivors and success stories from Central Massachusetts.

"I play solo acoustic cover tunes several nights a week at local bars to pay the bills and then focus all of my creative energy on the band," said Tefft. "I find that you really need to pick your venues and make each show an event. Give the audience an extra reason to come out. And then harass everyone you know to get their butts off their couches and try something new. Social media is of course key, but good old fashioned email list and texting lists as well. I try to make use of every avenue open to me, local radio shows, local writers...I still hang posters! I've been playing way more in the suburbs where I live so I can tap into the audience that is most familiar with me. We have a vibrant music scene out here that is very supportive of each other."

Tefft, who grew up in Medfield and lives in Franklin, is playing at The Tradsman in Milford on Saturday, April 15, with opener Carolyn Rae.

Tefft is known for her energizing shows punctuated by her brand of music that blends soul, rock and Americana into a brand she's dubbed "gritty-lush alternative rock." Off the heels of her band's 5th CD release "Cutting For Stone," Tefft played a sold out show at The Black Box in Franklin a few weeks ago. The 8-song EP she refers to as her "divorce album."

"It's pretty personal stuff, but it definitely rocks," said Tefft, who elaborated on a few cuts she calls favorites on the new release.

"I love 'Roller Coaster' because it is just such a fun song to play, I feel like I captured exactly what I wanted to lyrically. I love 'Silence' because it is dark and twisty and I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff. But I'm most proud of 'Air.' It is sparsely produced and very simple and I love, love, love how it came out."

A few months ago, when Tefft took her daughter to a 21Pilots show, she said her daughter said it best: "Mom, this is so cool. I'm one with my people. I feel like I'm part of something." Tefft said that echoes her feeling about live music when she talks about the scene as compared to 10 or 20 years ago.

"Things have definitely changed," she said. "People don't place a premium on the live music experience like they used to. There is something to be said for standing in a club and experiencing a show with a few hundred other people that cannot be replicated on-line. People have so much at the tips of their fingers, they don't really appreciate the uniqueness of a live experience. That being said, I've had some incredibly supportive people following this band and the fact that they seek me out time after time, buy my new music and come to shows keeps me keeping on."

So, what's Tefft got on her mixed tape these days?

"I've been pretty obsessed with Nothing But Thieves for over a year now," she said. "Such an incredible band. I love Kaleo - saw them at the House of Blues recently - that guy's voice is gold. Great songwriting. too. Oh and I discovered another band on WXRV called Walking on Cars, which I'm stuck on, too."

Get off the couch. It could use a break from your butt.

Photo Credits: Theresa Bourassa, Tim Rice