chief cleopatra
Austin, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2019
Music
Press
“If anybody on this list is destined for a rapid Black Pumas-esque popularity spike, it’s Chief Cleopatra. She captures everything Austinites love in their music. Mind bending groove and soaring vocal ability layered with a heavy helping of guitar driven snarl and creep.”
Bill Tucker, Austinot - Austinot
“...A kaleidoscope of sonic textures anchored by Cleopatra’s rich, expressive vocals, perfectly displayed on single “Friends,” with its bittersweet lyrics and melody framed by the peppy synths of Walker Lukens and Adam Mason. “Friends” sounds like peak-era Santigold,a style that is long overdue for a resurgence, heralding the arrival of Cleopatra as a pop force to be reckoned with in the scene.” - Morgan Davis, OVRLD - OVRLD
“One part soul, one part rock, and entirely compelling, singer-songwriter Chief Cleopatra will enter SXSW as one of Austin’s most noteworthy up-and-coming artists.”
John Laird, Austin Culture Map - Austin Culture Map
“Jalesa Jessie's March EP Luna phases all shades of the pianist, drummer, and former choirista's root expressiveness. ‘Dreamlights’ plugs in an MJB vibe, while lilting rocker ‘Fortuity’ sets up soulful dagger ‘Nine Inch Nail.’” - Raoul Hernandez, Austin Chronicle - Austin Chronicle
“Luna is a distinct, unusual brew.” - Jeff McCord, KUTX - KUTX 98.9
Discography
Lesa X Lenny Vol. 1 EP
February 16th, 2019
S/T EP
March 6th, 2020
Luna EP
March 4th, 2022
Weekend Warrior (Single)
March 3rd, 2023
Photos
Bio
We all start out one thing. For Jalesa Jessie, known to Austinites these days as Chief Cleopatra, she began as a Corsicana kid dabbling in piano, marching in her school’s drum line, listening to a lot of rock bands. Things happen, grab your attention, alter your perceptions.
Growing up in a small Texas town, Chief Cleopatra never quite fit the mold.
It is this outsider status that has carried her all the way to the precipice of something big, with the March 2022 release of her second EP Luna, via Park The Van Records.
Cleo is currently unsigned.
Garnering praise and prompting comparisons to Santigold. Chief Cleopatra was an official showcasing artist at SXSW in 2020, ‘21 and ‘22, was nominated by the Austin Music Awards for “Best New Artist” in 2021, and was Austin’s KUTX’s Artist of the Month in February 2022. She was accepted into the Recording Academy in 2022 and was previously in consideration for The 65th Annual Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Song for Social Change.
Cleo has opened for The Wailers, Girl Talk, Bas, The Bright Light Social Hour, Jackie Venson, Seratones, Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas) and Lukas Nelson.
Her debut full-length album is slated for release in 2023.
Band Members
Links
