Jennifer Hope

She is an enigma… and it serves her well. Indeed, nothing is simple in Jennifer Hope’s world. Her point of view may be intricate, but it’s also understandable and, in a way, comforting. When she explores the dark recesses of life she not only challenges preconceived notions, she also exposes the discord within and the truths hidden behind them. “I’ve always felt different than most people,” Jennifer explains. “I can’t play the games they do and my feelings are too strong to fake it, so it’s hard for me to fit in and make a lot of connections.” That insight inspired her to express her feelings, and she found that music helped her do that. Although it has not been easy for her, songwriting and performing became her salvation and means of communication. “I know there are others who feel like me, and I write songs to speak to them.” Shrouded in alternative pop rock, laced with sensuous synths and ethereal edges, Jennifer invites listeners into her world, a place of contrasts and a mystical ambiance. Her vocals channel a wounded angel in songs that posses both soft, silky petals and sharp, distressed thorns. In fact, it’s life’s contradictions that propel and motivate her. With tunes like “Maze of Lies,” Jennifer calls it as she sees it with strong, cutting lyrics: “I don’t want to know what’s in your mind / and I don’t need to see what I might find / in your maze of lies.” But, this artist is not just another angry feminista. The music scene has plenty of them already. Instead, Jennifer deals with human nature and all of its eccentricities. At times her comments may seem scathing, but they’re also honest and strikingly sound. Occasionally, she’ll even offer a hint of hope and crave a taste of happiness, such as in “Rapture,” a song that speaks about a longing many have endured: “Every night desire waits for you here / will you return to me / rapture.” That hope, cloaked in a yearning, intimate darkness, is the essence of Jennifer’s music: dark yet light, soft but hard, restless and tranquil. That unusual contrast caught the attention of industry, including Cleopatra Records. They invited her to contribute to several CD compilations, not only as a songwriter but also a song interpreter. Those recordings earned Jennifer international attention. She received airplay on a variety of radio stations and performed for respected music organizations, such as Los Angeles Women in Music. She also has two previous recordings of original material, “Winds of Tomorrow” and “Reflections of an Enchanted Soul,” which were released via Mystic Dreams Music. Today, Jennifer Hope has completed the recording for a new CD that will present the same unique perspective and hard-hitting observations she’s known for. Aptly titled “Velvet Fire,” and produced by Warren Huart (The Fray, Korn, Augustana, Better Than Ezra, Johnette Napolitano, James Blunt, Eve 6 and Aerosmith) Jennifer’s new collection of music is scheduled for release February 26, 2013. Until then, you can find her songs on iTunes as well as her website. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.