Jezzebelle

Jezzebelle is Katie Carpenter & Gary Burke from Dublin, Ireland. Mainly influenced by Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen their music is an original blend of Rock, Roots & Country. The duo formed in Ballyfermot ‘Rock School’ in September 2005, a course originally set up by Moving Hearts legend Matt Kelleghan. Realising similar tastes in music, Carpenter & Burke started writing and performing together under the name Jezzebelle. While gigging the Dublin city circuit they were spotted by the founders of a new internet music video blog called BalconyTV. The duo became the first band to appear on the famous balcony on Dame Street Dublin and it was around this time that Jezzebelle began work on their debut album. In February 2007, they released ‘Dirt Tracks‘, an all acoustic 12 track collection. It received great reviews from the Irish press and featured ‘The Road Ahead’ which won the Clonmel National Song Contest that year.

Following this release Jezzebelle played as special guest for Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy), Don Baker and Rob Strong. The pair delivered their big sound and big songs and one such song that became an instant hit with the crowd was ‘Bad Seed‘. Jezzebelle were invited to record the track for the ‘Potential Collection Volume 2‘, an acoustic compilation album featuring Irish acts from the famous Zodiac Sessions open mic night in Bruxelles Bar (known for hosting Irish rocker Phil Lynott and more recently the rockabilly queen Imelda May!). ‘Bad Seed’ became the opening track on the album which was released in February 2008 and was well received by both critics and fans. Jezzebelle then teamed up AV Productions and shot the music video for ‘Bad Seed’ which was featured on both MySpace and YouTube. Exposure of the video led to Jezzebelle joining the bill at the Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival for the first time that year, they have since been a staple act. In June 2008, it was time for a change of scene, a big change. Jezzebelle flew to Los Angeles California where they spent 3 summer months completing a 60-date tour - including shows in Genghis Cohen, The Rainbow and at House Of Blues. While in California they wrote the material that would eventually become their 2nd album, they also met American musicians Jinx and Greg Krueger and Dublin born mixing engineer Sharon Kearney who would all eventually appear/work on the album.

In February 2009, Jezzebelle began the 18 month project that would be recording album number 2 . Rhythm tracks were laid down in Fundamental Studios Wicklow with drummer Robin Ball and bassist Adam Taylor. Strictly acoustic up until this point, the album was a step forward for the duo - marking a turning point in sound and direction. Taking a break from the studio in August/September they went back to the US west coast, touring with Jinx, 45 shows from San Diego to San Francisco finishing up with their first ever full band show, at The Cat Club on Sunset Blvd. Back in Ireland in October the constant touring was paying off as they became the regular opening act for Jack L, including their first ever show at Dublin’s Vicar St.

With the album recording continuing in the background, Jezzebelle started 2010 doing special guest slots for Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson‘s long time touring guitarist), Don Baker and Juliet Turner. They followed this with the release of the all acoustic EP ‘Ruff‘, taking it out on the road opening for established acts and doing their own shows nationwide - including performances at the Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival, Dublin City Soul Festival and the first ever Temple House Festival. To end the tour they teamed up with Irish songwriter Ray Heffernan for 3 shows in northern Italy. Two singles and a summer tour later Jezzebelle have just released their 2nd album ‘Roll A Double’ and are back out on tour. Produced by Jezzebelle, recorded (mostly) in their own Blue Train Studios, mixed by Sharon Kearney in Hollywood CA, mastered by Jim Falzone in Nashville TN, featuring Robin Ball, Adam Taylor, Wil Mullen, Sharon Kearney, Jinx, Greg Krueger, Josh Johnston and photography by Lili Forberg, the album is, in their own words: “exactly what we wanted and the perfect representation of who we are right now”. The album has been well received so far by fans who have also been enjoying the new ‘full band’ sound at some of the shows on the tour where Katie & Gary are joined by Wil Mullen (Bass), Johnny Martino (Drums) and Aido Smyth (Guitar).

"Jezzebelle’s summery single Never Coming Back is an infectious track and Carpenter is a fine, spirited singer"
Jackie Hayden (Hotpress Magazine)

"Their high octane-propulsion and driving dogmatic rhythms mark them out from the crowd"
Siobhan Long (Irish Times)

"Katie Carpenter is in possession of a powerful, soulful instrument"
Killian Murphy (Hotpress Magazine)

“We cannot think of a better way to spend our summer days than to listen to Jezzebelle in the sunshine with a BBQ and a few drinks. Mmmmmmm!!”
K