Austin-based musician Jen Zava announces debut solo album with official release party at Thursday, June 1 at the Townsend.
(AUSTIN, TEXAS – March 9, 2017) – Fiery and soulful Austin-based indie rock siren, Jen Zava announces the forthcoming release of her debut solo album “Power To Change” set to be released Friday, June 2, with an official album release party on Thursday June 1 at The Townsend located at 718 Congress Ave. Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78701. Doors will be at 7:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. Ten percent of ticket and album sales will be donated to Kids in a New Groove to provide instruments and music lessons to children in foster care. To learn more about the nonprofit, please see: www.kidsinanewgroove.org. For information on Jen Zava see www.jenzava.com.
Formally known in the local music scene under her full name Jennifer Zavaleta, the time has come for Zava to take center stage as she reinvents herself with a brand new solo project. The 11-track debut album exposes Zava’s vulnerability, strength, hopefulness and desire to improve herself and the world around her.
“I recorded ‘Power to Change’ over the past five years, with songs written during the course of the last 20 years of my life,” Jen Zava said.
“Major phases of my life are represented on this record: The single and free, fiercely independent younger version of me, moving across the country from Georgia to Texas chasing the dream of music, turned the married and pregnant version of me walking along the beach in South Texas contemplating life and what it all means, turned the mom version of me, navigating the profound changes that come along with parenting, hoping and praying that everything will turn out okay while still following that dream that brought me to Texas in the first place.”
Production, engineering and mixing for “Power to Change” was done by David Messier and Andre Cantave at Same Sky Productions with mastering done by Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova Mastering. Jen Zava was the key songwriter and vocalist on the record, accompanied by Rowan Zavaleta, Candace Lynette Sanders, Andre Cantave and David Messier on vocals. Andre Cantave, Utah Hamrick and Chris Maresh played bass on the project, and in addition to Zava herself, Chris Zavaleta and Andre Cantave played guitar, Lee Simmons played banjo and mandolin, Steve Bernal played cello, Kevin Flatt played trumpet, Steven Vague played bari sax, and David Messier played organ, keys, drums and percussion.
Jen Zava has been a staple in the Austin music scene for a while now performing with a multitude of acclaimed bands and artists such as Doctari, Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes, Monster Big Band, Magnificent 7, The Grooves, The Pictures and many others. She has toured all over the country and has sung at events such as the Presidential Dinner in Washington D.C. and halftime shows at the San Antonio Spurs games. She’s a passionate and heartfelt artist whose musical influences transcend genres to form a unique sound of alt-pop-rock, mixed with her witty and soul-baring lyrics.
“I’ve done a little of everything in the music world,” says Zava. “Acoustic duos and trios with my husband, tribal pop bands, rock bands, cover bands, full-fledged costumed party bands.”
Her musical talent effortlessly flows from one genre to another when working as a hired gun. On her name change to Jen Zava, she says, “So many artists have their alter ego. I thought it would fun to have one for myself, but JZ was already taken. I didn’t want to forgo my real name altogether, so I just shortened it to seven letters. Seven is my lucky number,” Zava stated. As one noted Austin musician, Jon Blondell (Willie Nelson, Sublime) puts it: “It’s easy to say wonderful things about Jennifer. I will sing her praises to the world. The first time I heard her, I was taken by her musicality. She sings every style like it’s the only thing she’s ever done.” “Jennifer is a gifted songwriter who experiments with traditional form,” says her album producer David Messier, President of the Texas Chapter of The Recording Academy and owner of Same Sky Productions. “It was a pleasure to work with an artist so willing to escape the A-B-A-B, (verse – chorus, verse – chorus) thing. That approach coupled with her unique and powerful voice allowed us to experiment in the studio and truly capture unexpected moments.”
Now, with her forthcoming debut release, Jen Zava is poised to make her mark on the Austin music community and beyond. She has had the power to change not only in going out on a limb on her first solo project, but in realizing her destiny as one of Austin’s great new artists.
The “Power to Change” tracklist is as follows:
Power to Change
Heartbeat
I Luv You
Better Off Not Said
I Can’t Hear You
Toss and Turn
Mountain
Is This Woman
Landing and Flying
Spent All My Money
Next to You
“Jen Zava is an inspiring new artist,” says Austin musician Shelley King. “Her song, ‘Power to Change,’ is positive and dynamic. The world needs to hear her now!” For more information on Jen and her music, please see www.jenzava.com.
MEDIA NOTE:
To RSVP for the official album release show in June, or for general press inquiries, please contact the team at Juice Consulting:
Heather Wagner Reed
713 208 3891
heather@juiceconsulting.com
Madison Snelling
210 213 8934
madison@juiceconsulting.com