Jess Edie Talks Debut EP, Musical Influences And More

Manchester-born singer-songwriter Jess Edie has released her much-anticipated debut EP ‘RE:SURGENCE’ with Baltic Jazz Recordings. Jess spoke to us about the EP, her musical influences and much more:

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

There was a Christmas assembly coming up in my primary school and auditions were taking place for the solo part in ‘Once in Royal David’s city’. A teacher that sat near me in morning assemblies who heard me sing regularly, encouraged me to audition for it. I used to be very shy about singing in front of people and didn’t even think of applying myself to try and get it, but I went through with the audition that took place in front of a year 6 class, and got it!

So I was 6 years old and sang in front of all the children and parents, and I have had adults tell me in recent years that they still remember the performance and that it made a few of them cry- apparently in a good way…

It was such a big moment for me as I sang for the first time for an audience and found myself really enjoying it and feeling like it was something I was meant to be doing.

 

When did you begin songwriting?

I used to write songs when I was really little! I remember I’d always wake up really early and I wasn’t allowed to wake my parents up before 6am anymore – understandable. So instead, I’d write songs! My mum recalls once being presented with a song about my teddies and one about my curtains when I was around 5 years old- if only I still had those lyrics…

 

You have your debut EP ‘Re:Surgence’ released on 25th July 2025 on Baltic Jazz Recordings. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?

As it’s the first EP I’ve ever made, I didn’t actually have any pre-conceived plans of how I would go about making the EP but rather just to go with the flow and see what happened! It was the first of any music me and Steve Levine -who produced the EP, had ever made together and working with a producer you’ve never worked with before allows for a whole new world of creativity as your ideas combine to form new sounds. So I went in with an open mind and a lot of excitement to work with Steve and we’ve come out with three songs that we are so proud of. The songs mean so much to us and also mark the start of a brand new musical chapter in my life that I’m so grateful for.

 

Where did you record the EP and who produced it?

The EP was recorded and produced by Steve Levine in his studio, located in Liverpool! It’s such an amazing studio and it definitely goes without saying that Steve is beyond incredible. I’ve definitely pinched myself in disbelief a few times in that studio.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

We’ve had such an amazing time recording this EP. We’ve had a lot of laughs and a lot of interesting chats, Steve has endless incredible stories about his life or the iconic musicians he’s worked with/ is friends with and it’s been very inspirational to hear.

This EP and memories of the recording process will always bring me joy. Such an exciting time in my music career to be working with Steve and I’ve learned so much and become such a better songwriter for my time in that studio.

Getting to know Steve and Karen Levine who both run Baltic Jazz Recordings together, has been incredible. They’re both such lovely people and have impacted my life in such a positive way.

 

Who were the musicians who performed on the EP with you?

The amazing Jack Hymers played the keyboard in the intro of ‘Break in 2’, but other than that, it was all me and Steve Levine.

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

We used a range of vintage and analogue synthesisers alongside the latest synthesisers currently available!

We also used a Lewitt microphone which allowed us to either use a modern or vintage sound.

 

Which of your new EP tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

a) Happiest, probably “Same New Game”. Although it’s a song with the topic of grief involved, it’s a song written for a friend to tell her how grateful I am for her and how much she’s supported me through a hard time. It’s about the beauty of human connection and how much we all need each other- which is a fact that definitely makes me happy.

b) Angriest, “Break in 2” as I write from the perspective of someone who is trying so hard to hold on to a love and re-light the fire that they once had, whilst the other person doesn’t want to.

c) Most reflective, “Let me introduce Desire”, a song about inner strength and overcoming life’s hurdles. A song I wrote about recent struggles I had faced and the pride I felt for keeping on going and finding light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Does the EP’s title have a specific meaning/significance?

So I knew that the title needed to start with “RE:” to keep a consistent theme with the other EP’s that have been released with Baltic Jazz Recordings, but I wanted it to resonate with the songs and make sense to me as an artist.

I was actually on holiday with my friend at the time whilst coming up with a name and she suggested RE:SURGENCE and I thought wow, that is perfect!

Not only is it a really powerful sounding word- which definitely suits the powerful, strong sound and messages of the songs. But, it also signifies the re-emergence and new chapter of my music and sound as I started releasing again after a little break to song write.

 

Was it a difficult EP to write?

Songwriting always comes with different challenges because there is no limitation to your creativity- especially when working with someone like Steve Levine who can quite literally produce any idea that arises in my head! But, I wouldn’t use the word “difficult” as it’s still so enjoyable exploring all the different possibilities!

On an emotional level though, it can be harder writing songs about very personal experiences and so “Same New Game”, the third song of the EP- a song written for a friend who experienced a similar grief to me, was difficult in a way to write. This is due to the fact that to write about things, you have to think about them in such a deep way and really explore every feeling that arises within you. But, I think it’s so important to write about hard things, not only because it connects you on a deeper level to other people, but also because it’s so important to work through hard times rather than avoid the feelings and thoughts that come with them.

 

Who designed the EP artwork?

The EP’s photo was taken by the incredibly talented photographer Sam Corcoran (@samcorphotos on Instagram) and the artwork was designed by the amazing Rosie Levine (@_rosie.studio).

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is Manchester!

5 words:

-Lively

-Exciting

-Diverse

– Musical

– Rainy

 

How do you look after your voice?

I warm up and warm down before and after singing. I steam my voice regularly and have occasional singing lessons to make sure my technique is still healthy.

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

I’m currently working behind the scenes to perfect my live performance of the EP, and I will be using my Loop station to create harmonies and backing vocals live! Announcements will be very soon so stay tuned. (@jess_edie_ on Instagram).

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I hope to connect with the audience on a deeper level and for us all to feel like we get each other. I write a lot of my songs about life lessons that I’ve learned and things that I’ve been through, whether it be grief, overcoming hard times or embracing the good times. I know a lot of the things I’ve been through, so many people can relate to, and I want people to know that they aren’t alone. I want my music to bring people together and make people feel comforted in whatever life has thrown at them.

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

My favourite stage addition is my Boss RC-505mk11 loop station! I’ve always absolutely loved to harmonise and I do so a lot in the songs that I create. Backing vocals and harmonies, for me, elevates a song so much, and having this loop station allows me to create all of this live. There is no limitation to what you can create and every time it’s a little bit different, which I think is so cool. That’s why I am so excited to use my loop station in my live performances as I perform this EP in the very near future.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I recently read The distance between us by Maggie O’Farrell, who is currently my favourite author. Both characters face massive ups and downs in their lives but their love seems undeniable.

I love to write music that is emotive and makes people feel. Therefore I can imagine writing a score that would appropriately support the different themes of the book to encourage the feeling of longingness, love, despair and joy that the book displays.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

When I was younger my Dad bought me a CD player and a few CD’s that then became a staple to my introduction to music. Some of these CDs included music from Stevie Wonder, Anastacia and Corinne Bailey Rae, and when I was in my ‘waking-up extremely early days’ when I was little, I’d either be writing my own songs or playing these albums on repeat and writing lyric sheets and singing along with them. They have really impacted the way I write today. I love the soul and emotion behind their music and definitely try and replicate this in my music today

In recent times I listen to a lot of Erykah Badu, Sasha Keable and Jill Scott.

If I was to recommend one album it would be Erykah Badu’s Baduizm- she’s incredible.

 

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025/2026?

Steve and I have a lot of music under our belt and are so excited to work on them further and show them to the world! This is just the beginning of our musical adventure working together!

 

What makes Jess Edie happy and what makes you unhappy?

Time with loved ones, doing exercise and creating music makes me happy.

Un-fairness and sad endings in any book or film make me unhappy.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Lisa Davies Promotions

Jess Edie’s debut EP ‘RE:SURGENCE’ is out now on Baltic Jazz Recordings.

Official LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/jess.edie