2015 keeps getting bigger and better for 1/5 Texan and 4/5 British country band Jess and the Bandits. Having sold out their three headline performances of the year and debuted at #6 on the official country charts with album Here We Go Again (listen here), the group blew Terry Wogan away with their reworking of Mama Told Me Not To Come and also stole of the heart of Bob Harris, for whom they have already recorded two Under The Apple Tree sessions in 2015.
Having won rave reviews for their festival appearances, from C2C to Ramblin’ Man and the performing as special guests to close SummerTyne, the band are excited about the release of their self-confidence anthem Nitty Gritty, which is being released in association with high street plus size retailer Evans’ #StyleHasNoSize campaign.
At the launch of the #StyleMantra competition held to find 10 women to appear alongside the band in the music video, Evans Brand Director Fiona Ross stated, ‘We’re thrilled to be working on this exciting project with Jess and the Bandits. Jessica embodies everything we’re passionate about at Evans. The new, empowering single Nitty Gritty reinforces our belief that #STYLEHASNOSIZE and we’re so happy to have her as an ambassador.’ Shop the looks here.
Teaming up with videographer Ron Yeadon for the playful music video, which has just premiered exclusively on The Telegraph, vocalist Jessica Clemmons had one goal, ‘I wanted women to watch this video and feel represented for once. The competition winners were amazing. They were different races, sizes, ages, and all from different backgrounds. They showed incredible confidence in who they are, looked amazing, and have made this video truly something special. I hope that when people watch it they feel empowered and learn to love who they are, despite their, so called, flaws.’
Plus-size blogger Naomi Griffiths who won a role in the video shares Jessica’s sentiment, adding,‘It’s been amazing to be part of such a positive, empowering campaign which embraces diversity in an industry which usually sticks to a very certain ‘exclusive’ look. Confidence, happiness and loving yourself is way more important than trying to fit into a mould that wasn’t made for you!’
With a couple of festival appearances still left this year, the band are getting excited for their debut headline tour in October and are thrilled to announce that they will be joined in Dublin at Whelan’s by Belfast’s The Rising, who recently released single Calling You, and Dublin’s own Na Fianna, who recently released new album Unearthed.
FULL UK TOUR DATES:
October 18: Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
(Jess And The Bandits & The Rising) (SOLD OUT)
October 20: The Bodega, Nottingham
(Jess And The Bandits, The Rising & Dexeter)
October 24: Whelan’s Upstairs, Dublin
(Jess And The Bandits, The Rising & Na Fianna)
October 27: Louisiana, Bristol
(Jess And The Bandits, The Rising, Southern Companion & Acoustic Journey)
October 28: The Borderline, London
(Jess And The Bandits, The Rising & Liv Austen)
October 29: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
(Jess And The Bandits, The Rising & Fitzwallace)
October 30: Gulliver’s, Manchester
(Jess And The Bandits, The Rising & Luke & Mel)
October 31: King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
(Jess And The Bandits, The Rising & Blackleaf 40)