Jess Williamson finds herself at a fascinating crossroads, balancing her life between the vibrant glam of Los Angeles and the welcoming simplicity of Texas. Recently, the singer-songwriter experienced a whirlwind evening at an afterparty at the Chateau Marmont following the Grammy Awards, where she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Taylor Swift. This glamorous yet surreal night intertwined with her experiences at a gem and mineral show in rural Texas, evoking a profound sense of not quite belonging yet being welcomed in both worlds.
Embracing a transient existence
“I thought, ‘I’m a tourist,’” Williamson reflected during a Zoom call from her sunlit living room in Marfa, Texas. “That I’m this visitor stopping in, and I don’t really belong in either one. But somehow, I’m kind of allowed to go to both.” This duality forms the heart of her latest album, A Mile South of Heaven, set to release on October 8 via New West. Its final track, “The Gem and Mineral Show,” encapsulates this feeling beautifully, resonating with the album’s overarching theme of navigating between worlds.
Creative pursuits spanning two worlds
The album captures Williamson’s grappling with her roots in Texas and her draw to Los Angeles. In her first single, “Goodbye to All That,” she explores her desire to embrace a more permanent life in Texas while feeling the persistent pull of California. It’s a sentiment echoed in tracks like “Battle Scar,” where she recalls her struggle to fit into the elite circles of private school life. Sonically, her music melds various influences—from the soft twang of pedal steel to the gritty sounds reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails—as deftly expressed in her latest release, “Tracking the Tropics.”
A prickly encounter with fame
Williamson’s artistic journey finds resonance with listeners, especially after her widely praised albums, including 2023’s Time Ain’t Accidental. Notably, Jack Antonoff’s admiration for her song “Hunter” led to a personal invite to the Grammy afterparty—a daunting yet thrilling experience. “I realized really quickly that when you’re at a party like that, people are really, really, really nice to you… But I also got to meet all of these people I admire,” she recounted, reflecting on her surreal evening spent among pop icons.
Finding solace in the roots of Texas
However, the glitz of Los Angeles sharply contrasts with her quieter life in Marfa. Born in Dallas but calling Los Angeles home for the past decade, Williamson has begun contemplating a more permanent return to Texas. This duality inspired her emotionally charged song “Goodbye to All That,” through which she confronts societal expectations surrounding ambition, motherhood, and personal identity. “I sometimes feel guilty as a woman, having this much ambition,” she shared, determining to reconcile her dreams with her sense of belonging.
The heart of Texas in her music
Texas inherently shapes Williamson’s artistry—its warmth, culture, and landscape deeply influence her sound. “The Texas that I’m in… it’s magical here,” she explains, highlighting the unique spirit of Texans. Paired with producer Shooter Jennings, who equally understands the complexities of leaving one’s roots for personal exploration, Williamson crafted a sound for A Mile South of Heaven that transcends genres, combining country, roots, and indie folk, while remaining distinctly rooted in her Texas identity.
Redefining genre boundaries
The album’s production, created at Hollywood’s Sunset Sound, intentionally favors organic instruments over the electronic stylings of her previous work. Williamson embraces this evolution while grappling with how critics categorize her music. “I’m not… leaning into full-on country,” she explained, expressing her intention to value artistic authenticity over easily defined genres.
Finding contentment in the journey
As Williamson navigates her creative landscape, she reflects on the ever-shifting notion of success. “Being a mile south of heaven, you’re never going to get there,” she mused, suggesting that happiness may lie in embracing the present moment rather than perpetually striving for an elusive end goal.
With plans to return to Los Angeles soon, Williamson takes comfort in her Texas roots. “Am I Taylor Swift’s friend? No,” she chuckles. “But did I get to bask in her light for an evening? Yeah. And it was awesome.” In this blend of ambition and appreciation, Williamson comes to a beautiful understanding of living between two worlds—finding joy in both the journey and the destinations along the way.
