A LITTLE ironically, singer-songwriter Jess Locke hopes her latest album Don't Ask Yourself Why actually prompts reflection and discussion.
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There is a haunting darkness about the album tinged with hope, even in songs like 'Dead and Gone', that have taken on new meaning for Locke's audience amid ongoing pandemic recovery.
"That's the funny thing. It's tapped into obviously a dark year. The songs were written and the album recorded in 2019," Locke said.
"I was tapping into something of my personal experience but a lot of the themes and ideas have manufactured into the isolation, reflection and people spending a lot more time indoors.
"A lot of the songs dig into what was already happening in my life and the world, such as looking at politics and Trump. I think Don't Ask Yourself Why summed up the state of reactivity...there were not a lot of people asking why."
Melbourne-based Locke is set to share a mix of new songs, old songs and songs not yet released for the second stop on a Victoria tour at Volta on Friday night.
To be back playing in front of audiences, rather than to a computer screen, has reinforced to Locke the importance of audience interaction and feedback in the general vibe of a gig.
While Locke's latest album is based on influences on her life, she said these should be relatable to most people in personal or political factors they were grappling with and know there was hope.
"When I write, I don't set out necessarily in knowing how it's going to end," Locke said. "There is a catharsis in dumping emotional feelings and in the process finding a way forward...There is a powerful transformative nature of art, it can take you from dark to a better place."
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Locke is also an advocate for musicians playing and recording wherever they can with a DIY (Do it yourself) attitude and embracing a low-fi timbre to catch a different vibe.
She encouraged emerging artists to focus on what they could do with the equipment and facilities they had - rather than what they felt they had to have.
Locke said often this could breed an interesting aesthetic for creativity. Audiences can get a taste of this in her live show.
Tickets available here.
