Justice Cow, the musical alias of Jessica Kion, is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter whose latest album delves deeply into personal loss and emotional vulnerability. Growing up surrounded by a musical family, Jessica’s early exposure to music laid the foundation for her artistic journey. Her identity as an artist started taking shape during her time at Berklee College of Music when she was exposed to and inspired by artists like Regina Spektor and Sufjan Stevens.
Her latest album, “my dad died” is a poignant exploration of her father’s death. The writing process began as memories of her father flooded back, prompting her to capture these fleeting moments as musical vignettes. Drawing inspiration from Madi Diaz’s “History of a Feeling”, Sufjan Stevens’ “Carrie & Lowell” and Mount Eerie’s “A Crow Looked at Me,” Jessica’s album is a raw and honest reflection of her grief and memories.
Recorded in just four days with producer Bradford Krieger at Big Nice Studios, the album features contributions from her brother Tyler on saxophone and vocals, Kit Orion on vocals, producer Bradford Krieger playing drums and bass, and husband and collaborator Ben Levin on guitar and synths adding depth to the arrangements. Starting to perform these deeply personal songs has been both challenging and cathartic, allowing Jess to connect with audiences on a profound emotional level.
Justice Cow’s music blends acoustic foundations with rich, full-band arrangements, creating a sound that is both intimate and expansive. Her ability to transform deeply personal experiences into universally resonant art makes her a compelling and authentic voice in contemporary music.