Franklin resident Jessica Willis Fisher celebrated her 30th birthday with the release of her debut solo album "Brand New Day" on April 13. She wrote eight of the 10 songs on the album by herself. Creating this album was her moment to speak her truth and be vulnerable after leaving her family band, The Willis Clan, and surviving the abuse from her father who has since been arrested. She says, “I can confidently say I’ve lived every word of this. There is no place to hide on this record.”
Recording the album was a huge step in moving forward and removing her toxic associations from music. "Brand New Day" is an authentic and freeing experience everyone will be able to relate to.
The title track is about seeking adventure, courageously taking ownership of Jessica’s life and paving the way to a better future. She hopes the album will send an encouraging message and coincide with the chapters and seasons of her listeners' lives. You’ll hear spring in one song and fall in another. Even if you’re not going through the exact same thing, you’ll be able to connect with the songs on some level, whether it’s love, joy, or pain. “Hopelessly, Madly” is her ode to true love, which she found with her husband Sean Fisher.
Jessica’s Irish roots inspire her songwriting and you’ll notice the influence in some of her songs. She explains, “If someone tells me one of my songs sounds like a one hundred year old Irish song, that’s the biggest compliment you can give me.” Jessica reminisces on her travels to Ireland and can’t wait to return. She says, “It’s traditional Irish music that first really captured my soul.” She's been playing the fiddle since she was nine-years-old and uses piano and guitar to write her songs. “River Runaway” and “Fire Song” (her first single) are entertaining songs for her to perform that incorporate the fiddle. She says, “My favorite performances are when the audience is really listening and you can tell that they’re really going on those mini adventures with you.”
She loves performing at venues like McNamara’s Irish Pub and Fox and Locke. Jessica is bravely accepting and learning from the darkest parts of her life. It took her years to even consider doing music again. Jessica says, “I realize that not everyone gets the support I got when I finally reached out for help. I feel the responsibility to contribute in some meaningful way.” Jessica is working on a foundation to support people, especially the less fortunate, going through similar situations. She continues, “Because of my decision to be fairly open with my story, it means that a lot of people come to me asking how they can help or asking for help. I
want to do my part in making the world safer for everyone. It’s a challenge since those are big things to tackle, but it’s an opportunity in front of me.”
"Brand New Day" is an album Jessica will always identify with and one she felt like she was destined to make. Jessica says, “I could have just made this record and kept it for myself, but it’s not living it’s full life unless I can share it with people.” Jessica has grown and healed greatly from this album. She’s grateful to have regained her voice and finally start fresh and live her dream. This is just the beginning of Jessica’s solo artist journey.
Every day is a new day, so how are you going to live it?
JessicaWillisFisher.com