Jess Chambers plays heart music: vignettes of emotions and scenes, elevated to art by a haunting and intimate voice and lush alt-country instrumentation. 　　  　　After first making her name in the electronic scene through collaborations with Rhian Sheehan, Module, and The Upbeats, Jess' debut solo album Jess Chambers and the Firefly Orchestra (2008) was a return to the the folk music she closely identifies with. The album has a dreamy quality: the emotional intensity and honesty of the lyrics counterbalanced by the sweetness of the strings and taonga puoro (flute). It was aptly described by reviewers as "sweet, soothing music from a rising young local talent" (NZ Herald) and "a splendidly lyrical and haunting piece of work" (Salient). The song "Island" was nominated for the APRA award the Silver Scroll. 　　  　　Jess' collaboration with a host of top musicians in The Woolshed Sessions (2008) was similarly well-received by audiences and reviewers alike. Shows sold-out nationwide, and Jess' almost-pop contributions were described as having "irresistible choruses that belie the heartache lurking in the lyrics" (Nick Bollinger, Listener). Stringing me along received won the APRA Best NZ Country Song in 2009. 　　  　　Jess’ live show is known for its intimacy, her onstage presence reflecting the storytelling that lies at the heart of her songs. Her (2009) WOMAD performance was described as "stunning... receiving standing ovations from the audience. A response that alludes towards a very very bright future for this infectiously irrepressible young singer.” 　　  　　Jess' soon to be released new album, Desire, reflects her increasingly strong connection to American alt/folk-country music. Perhaps unsurprisingly, she's following that music. Following her September 2011 New Zealand tour, she will relocate from Wellington to the US, where her mother is from, and where she lived much of her childhood. 　　  　　No doubt, there will be further stories to be told