Written by Annie Barber
Photo by Lily Doidge
Jo Geller, also known as jo from school, is a rising North London star with a knack for originality and experimentation. Having begun writing songs on piano aged nine, taught herself guitar during lockdown, and attended the renowned Brit School, her story might not be unique, but her music certainly is. At nearly 19 minutes long, Geller’s debut EP, ‘Grace, Flair and Distance’, is a taste of her skilled musicianship and deft songwriting capabilities.
The EP opens with ‘Release’, a delicate indie folk song with fingerpicked acoustic guitar and harmonic vocals. The piano riff in the chorus and resonant drums are surprising and welcome additions which gives the song a unique edge. The song has an air of hopefulness about it, with the lyrics exploring the experience of realising that people are not out to trip you up — even if you think they are.
‘Six Years Of Keeping On’ is unpolished and raw, and an unfiltered account of being part of the modern music industry. The song’s organic sound feels like a push back against the industry’s expectation for music to be perfect and structured, and how it favours commercialisation over creativity. The track contains some elements of early 70s folk in the vein of Nick Drake, as well as similarities to recent Bon Iver, but still maintains a unique sound.
Things turn more melancholic for ‘Chicken’ which has an intimate feel with hazy vocals and gently strummed guitar. The personal, introspective lyrics on this track explore the experience of leaving someone but not feeling capable of fully letting go of the past. It has a childlike and meandering quality which makes it a joy to listen to.
‘Underhand’ has a more indie-rock feel to it, with fingerpicked acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and the occasional electronic interludes. The song’s layered instrumentation and frenetic energy make it a standout track on the EP.
The track ‘Julia Roberts’ is clearly influenced by one of Geller’s favourite musicians, Elliot Smith. The first verse is intimate, intricate, and layered, but things ramp up during the chorus, with the song transitioning to a more classic lo-fi indie feel with prominent guitars and drums.
Things circle back to a similar delicate indie folk sound to ‘Release’ in final track ‘Weight’. The song is cheerful and stripped back, letting Geller’s skilful and emotion-filled vocals to take centre stage. The lyrics are diaristic and honest, like the rest of the EP which contains mature songwriting for a debut offering.
‘Grace, Flair and Distance’ is a singular piece of work. Geller’s refusal to let her work be confined by the limitations of genre and the expectations placed on young artists has resulted in a collection of songs that shows the magic that results from an artist following their instincts and refusing to be boxed in.
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