Preview: The Jess Gardham Band, Fibbers, York, March 21

1:58pm Friday 21st March 2008

SOULFUL York singer-songwriter Jess Gardham launched her band at Fibbers last October and they return there tonight with more mileage on the clock.

"We've been practising once or twice since that Fibbers gig and they're really enthusiastic and passionate about it," says guitarist Jess, whose line-up comprises Rodney McNamara on drums, Richard Halbert on bass, York music-scene legend Charlie Daykin on keyboards, and Holly Bristow on backing vocals. Matt Farthing will be a guest addition on electronic violin this evening and at occasional future gigs too.

"The band just adds layers and a lot of life to my music, and the way I write my songs now they're geared to having drum-and-bass back-up to bring them to full bloom, and I do sound completely different singing with a band," says Jess, who more often is to be found singing solo at the Living Room each Thursday and the Pitcher & Piano on Sunday nights.

Jess has plans to record a live CD with her band, and tonight's audience can expect to hear several new numbers that find her moving in a new direction.

"The latest songs are from the more funky side of my writing, whereas the Beyond Belief album was more chilled. The thing with these songs is that they're more mature; Beyond Belief was the journey of my songs from 16 to now, and I'm 25 now."

Looking to improve all the time - while also preparing for dental nursing exams in her daytime job - Jess was picked from 3,000 entrants to take part in the BBC Radio 2 Songwriters Academy, a two-day masterclass in Bristol run by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.

"I learnt so much about co-writing, how to pitch a song to other artists, songwriting structure and the legal side of the business, and they gave me a professional critique of the strengths and weaknesses of my songs - and I've made good contacts," she says.

Next month, Jess is off to play in Toronto, New York and Nashville: more horizons, more challenges.

• The Jess Gardham Band, supported by The Andy Curry Band and Rachel Kichenside, Fibbers, York, tonight. Tickets: £5 advance.