Meet Jess Jocoy | Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jess Jocoy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jess, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
More and more this question feels ever-looming, and ever-harder to answer. Some days you don’t know. I have to believe, though, if whatever you’re chasing is always on your mind – on your heart – if you keep coming back to that thing, it’s worth the chase.

That’s what music is for me. Even when the muse seems gone, or at best fleeting, my spirit aches to write another song; to sing for people. I do believe true purpose is set on our hearts and it burns in so many ways. Sometimes that burn seems too painful to bear. But I ask myself: won’t it hurt worse if I get to the end of my days having let it go?

At the end of the day, if you can’t find a shred of joy in the pursuit, then it’s time to find something new. This life is too short not to feel joy. That’s also a lesson I’m learning.
  

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I moved to Nashville from Washington State ten years ago to pursue music. They say it’s a “ten year town” and now that I’m approaching year ten, my path is nowhere near what I had in mind when I set out across the country. That said, I believe that’s a good thing. My faith-bone has been rattled and tested more times than I can count but I’m learning to trust that where I am is where I need to be. Is it where I want to be? No. Is it where I thought I’d be? No. But, it’s also not where I was a year ago or ten years ago.

A lot has happened in these ten years (check out jessjocoy.com/about to read my story), but know that at the end of the day, I’m just an analog gal in a digital world who’s learning to listen. To seek out little moments that make one big life. It’s a long, sometimes arduous road that feels like one step forward means six steps back but all I really want is to write and sing songs that hold weight.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many names that could (and should) be listed here that the page would be endless. I have to thank the Good Lord and my family, first and foremost: the Lord for blessing me with a purpose for music and to my family for always encouraging me to follow my dreams and for giving me every resource they could to pursue music.

To all my friends and to the strangers I’ve met along this road so far who bend an ear to the songs I sing. To those who are willing to listen, I thank you. This journey wouldn’t be half as interesting if I was singing to myself!

Website: https://www.jessjocoy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessjocoyofficial/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessjocoy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVGgubkYDl3fzigoTanipbg?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Sam Wiseman, Phil Silverberg