Jo Wymer hails from Freehold, New Jersey. The Black Sheep of the Jersey Shore Rock Scene – Jo is a two-time JAM AWARD winner, One-time AMA award winner, an a Two- Time NAPW WOMAN OF THE YEAR award winner (2013 and 2014) She is a Navy veteran and mother, who has been writing Rock, Americana, Blues and Pop music as well as music for television and film for almost 20 years.
Jo’s newest project is being produced by two-time Grammy WINNER Marc Swersky and was released on July 4, 2016.
Jo’s music can be heard on 250+ radio stations across the United States and on such national TV shows like; SONS OF ANARCHY, THE AFFAIR and THE 100 as well as FOX NACSAR Sunday. Wymer’s vocals are powerful, high energy, soulful and bring an authentic raw feel to her songs. Her delivery of the storylines is masterful.
Jo’s recent accolades and accomplishments include: • Worked and recorded with such greats as The E Street Band to Warren Haynes • Performed with the SNL band • Opened for such great artists as; Joan Osborne, Martin Short, Jeffrey Gaines, Jake Clemons, Nick Clemons, The Black Keys, Bob Burger, Glen Burtnik and many others • She won the 2010 and 2012 New Jersey Acoustic Musicians award for top female performer • First female lead band to win the Top Blues Band award at the AMA awards in 2010 • Played with Earl Slick from David Bowie and member of the Smithereens.
In this interview, we chat with Jo about her influences, changes in the music world, and, of course, her newest project.
Full Q&A, links, and a stream below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I like a lot of different genres of music – that is what makes me different and sets me apart for a lot of other vocalist, musicians and songwriters.
One minute I love high-energy rock (totally polarized from the opera I studied as a young girl) or songs where the lyrics choke you up or make you say ‘HELL YEAH”… and then the next minute I am fist pumping to Journey and “BLINK LIKE A JEANIE” then on to listening to Patty Griffin, Ryan Adams, Ani DiFranco or Damien Rice to chill the rest of the night away!
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
My children lead me to this journey with music.
This is the legacy I have to leave them.
I was a Navy Veteran with a lot of stories to tell them about …from past loves to past experiences I have had – From ex-husbands to places I have visited or traveled to.
These are the stories of the people, places and things that need to be told in a raw – truthful – unrestrained, aggressive fashion.
Rock music is a dying genre….music is crazy in today’s world.
I am driven to keep the music of my youth strong in my heart…songs that drove me to listen for more than 30 seconds. The days of pulling out the liner notes from the album sleeve…putting the headphones on and reading and listening at the same time…
THIS is what drives me to push it out to the public…I believe there are people out there that still want to do that and young listeners who want to do that as well. Listeners who want to transcend themselves to another place while listening…with posters on the ceilings of their bedrooms…and black lights!
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
People like Bettye Lavette, Candi Stanton, The Black Crows, Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, U2, Pat Benatar and Chrissie Hynde have been huge influences over the years – because their writing was truthful and the music was simple.
Musicians like Bonnie Raitt, Chrissie Hyde, Jeff Beck, Adam Clayton, Jeff Ament, Billy Joel, and Joan Jett – because of their excellent musicianship – drove me to excel in the instruments I play.
Recently, powerful influences in songwriting are the talents of Bono, Patty Griffin, Jason Isbell, Patterson Hood, Buddy and Julie Miller, Gretchen Peters and Grace Potter that have influenced me to dig deeper towards the “TRUTH” more in my writing. I know…all over the place…but you asked. I guess what I am saying is I guess I am more like Patty Griffin and Joan Osborne….I guess good music is good music and not just one genre or type…right??
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
Not really – you see, my debut album LIVING WITH SCARS came out of the gate like a kick in the balls. Lots of screaming guitars….bang-a-gong drumming and “in-your-face” lyrics that made people shake their booties and take life with “FOUR ON THE FLOOR” approach.
This new project…S.L.G. … got a bit simpler and deeper. More feeling….more soulful…less noise. Marc Swersky, Joe DiMaio, Leon Zervos took this project on with the zest of music doctors – by keeping it real simple…which is what I wanted….my voice and the music – that’s it…the little black dress (or the little simple 5 song EP) is always classic…keeps you wanting more.
Producer and two-time GRAMMY winner, Marc Swersky, knew exactly what I was trying to achieve with a more TRUTHFUL, LESS NOISEY and a more soulful attitude.
What was the last song you listened to?
“Jump Into The Fire” – The Greyhounds
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Truthfully – MP3’s – because then they can go ANYWHERE…right to my iTunes then on to my iPod to bring in my car – or on the airplane – or other different places.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Something Else as always…outside the box….lyric videos…house concerts…push tours….licensing push…..strip clubs…tattoo conventions….anything that is different from the norm….that has the potential to pay something!!
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
The digital ocean is a big one for sure…..bigger than the planet it self…people don’t listen to music for music sake anymore….…the stuff youngsters hear are in movies or on TV…so the only way is licensing. My own children listen to Marvin Gaye’s TROUBLED MAN on their iPods after they heard it in the movie “CAPTAIN AMERICA”
In my day it was ..(a) you bought an album and listened to it – then
(b) gave it to your friend to borrow and listen to….
so my biggest challenge is to get licensing so I can be heard by a younger listener.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
My website (www.jowymer.com) and social media sites like Facebook…Twitter…Instagram. Soundcloud is where I go to listen to new music. Bloggers are where I go to see what music trends are.
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
I always try to make the music truthful…believable and accessible. Have fun and crazy live music shows….and trust my fans ….listen to them and deliver what they want from me.
