It is possible to meet Jessica Bromet almost at any coffee shop in Bogotá or Berlin. Sometimes she is supporting someone, sometimes she is part of a duet sometimes solo. Jess, she has insisted that I call her like this, instead of Jessica that is. She is one of those women who never stops surprising. She has an incredible inner strength and a hardworking nature.
Change of scenery
The bed makes Bromet itchy, and unlike many singers she is an early bird. Late at night or those early mornings are moments of inspiration for her. Moments in time when the muses take control of words and blank pages.
Almost 3 years ago she packed her bags, said goodbye to everything she knew and traveled to Berlin.
The capital of contrasts where you can be free, be and do what the imagination presents. She needed space and some degree of isolation.
It is a dark day in the German capital, but the ambient is cozy and warm. There is a coziness that surrounds this young artists.
The first time we met was during a soccer match of the Colombia team during the World Cup of 2014 (we were in Berlin).
With a mic
I can say that from the first moment I realized that there were many stories that surround her and the interest and curiosity seized me.
While preparing a cup of coffee, she tells me that God gives people “gifts and abilities”, each person is different and you need to learn to see them and accept them as they are.
When she is on stage, she looks like any other woman. That is the first impression. As the spotlight comes on, she start releasing her true self with every move and a charming personality takes over the light.
“Music evolves as the Earth spins.”
She never stops moving on stage. She spends most of the show walking and jumping from side to side to have more contact with people.
In her repertoire there are all kinds of songs. Some are happy, others, however, are the gateway to a sadder, bitter or tragic time.
Without a defined style
After having spent the past 18 years in music business, she considers that her music style hasn’t been defined yet. Jess has always been open to discover new paths, to experience.
It seems impossible not to surrender to his voice. She knows how to weave good human stories, describing the characters exceptionally. Absolutely relaxed, she tells me that the only project she has had, short, medium or long term has been music.
“When I cover songs by other artists I am overwhelmed by respect and responsability because I have to sing them very good or better than someone else at least.”
She loves country music; it was one of her main influences. She has also fed on great artists such as: Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Jewel, the result is more than promising.
While serving a glass of red wine she tells me that sharing a stage with Daft Punk, Mumford and Sons and of course singing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville with country legends would be one of those incredible dreams.
“I don’t have a special method when writing lyrics, I only need the Moon in my corner, a moment of inspitaion with good wine.”
Singing is different to singing someone else’s song, this is something that Jess has very clear. Singing is a natural action that we have when we feel anything either sadness, happiness, infatuation, disappointment, etc.
Speaking with this “caleña” flavor and feelings are raw.
Regarding her own compositions, she assures me that all people have a constant need for expression and when things (compositions) are yours, it is impossible not to take what is inside… the shape varies but the content is always there.
Furthermore, her songs are about different things but always herself. It is a somewhat unavoidable situation because they are born from emotions and feelings and experiences.
For her it is crystal clear that it is important to work hard, be surrounded by a great team and strong people, how to make difficult decisions and how to say yes or no at the appropriate times.
Jess is not the same person as a few years ago, physically and spiritually, but this change has helped her become the artist she is today. Her songs and music in general became talismans, like spells. The world of music is not impregnated with glitter and neon colors, it is filled with hard work, dedication, passion and euphoric moments on stage.
Catharsis
It is clear that you must be submerged into every detail. It is a long learning process, a process of a lot of concentration; it is also a process of catharsis.
Continuing with the catharsis; she realized that I realized that the hardest thing was leaving the country that: leave the country, leaving a world and a life behind. I have heard that answer so many times, I needed to dig deeper.
Laura Viera A: You left the country some years ago, what was the hardest thing?
Jess Bromet: Everything !!! From the smallest detail like the taste of water, to the greatest, such as missing my family.
As a result she has he had the freedom to roam the lonely city streets and sing to those around her. She traveled in search of new sounds and opportunities, from the moment she stepped into the land of her ancestors, she was filled with opportunities and disappointments, between broken love and false promises she has managed to find herself.
Despite some setbacks and moments of uncertainty, she has never left music aside, it was not possible because it is second nature to her. Thus the path she chose, it has taken her where she currently is, possibly after this elsewhere.
Bromet’s magic is in her voice, in her soul. This woman conveys what many think and are unable to say. The only thing left for me to say is that Jess has a voice that many would envy and talent for music. The only thing to do is close your eyes, breathe deeply and let your voice navigate through the veins.
