Today I bring to you the mind-blowningly incredible (yet tragically disbanded) South Carolinian alternative rockers Jump, Little Children. It’s funny because if you take the comma out of the band name, they seem to be imperatively encouraging you to sneak up on small children and beat them senseless. Oh, punctuation, where would I be without you? Off jumping little children, I guess. But let’s forget my little grammar lesson–I’ll leave that to Eats, Shoots and Leaves.
Jump, Little Children was formed in 1991 at the North Carolina School of the Arts. They began their career playing Irish folk but soon began incorporating more of an alternative rock/pop sound into their original work. Their work ranges from electric guitar-heavy alternative rock to peacefully acoustic and folksy pop. Whatever the orchestration in the background, lead singer and guitarist Jay Clifford’s voice drives right through it and is among the purest and most distinct in music today. He never seems over matched by a song or sounds like he’s straining his voice; it is always effortless and beautiful.
On the other hand, when Matthew Bivins takes the lead on vocals, Jump, Little Children’s sound changes entirely. Often backed by Clifford’s harmonies or ethereal background vocals, Bivins spins tales slam poetry-style atop the atmospherically appropriate bass and drums. The vignette style lyrics read like scenes of a play and Bivins’ performances of these songs are known to captivate audiences at live shows.
I have two picks for today. One Jump song featuring Clifford and another featuring Bivins.
While there are many Clifford Jump songs I could pick from, my personal favorite is a track off of the 2001 record Vertigo called “Lover’s Greed:“
(Close Your Eyes ran a close second; you can find it here.)
As for a Bivins number, it was difficult to choose. It’s a toss-up between The Singer, Body Parts and Habit. Because this is a great live performance, and because I can’t find The Singer on YouTube, I give you pick #2: Habit.
If you like these, I suggest you check into more Jump, Little Children (official site / myspace). Sadly, the band is on indefinite hiatus after a messy situation with their record label, but they have plenty of music in their repertoire, and it’s all good. Also, they’re all pursuing their own side projects. Jay Clifford’s new solo CD, Driving Blind, is absolutely incredible. You can check him out at his myspace. I highly recommend his song “Know When to Walk Away“–even if Zach Braff is making the video for it. I hope it’s sooo quirky and hip and underground like Garden State.
4 responses so far ↓
cityofmichael // August 5, 2008 at 3:13 am |
I missed them at the music farm when i was in high school i was pissed. my friend had one of their old cassettes the were handing out on the street. good times. I cant find their old stuff. its making me angry.
Paul A. Ab-Dul // August 5, 2008 at 4:19 am |
I would’ve loved to see them live.. Jay Clifford’s on tour now, but it’s not quite the same. I guess maybe there’s hope for a few reunion shows someday? I know everything from The Licorice Tea Demos on is up on iTunes, but if you’re looking for their original demo tape.. well, good luck with finding that.
I didn’t mention this in the post, but I’d also recommend looking into one of Jay’s side projects called Rosebud. Those CDs should be up on iTunes as well.
Hopeful // August 7, 2008 at 7:42 pm |
An aunt of mine is always talking about Jump Little Children and now i shall pay her more attention.
http://www.hopefulspiders.blogspot.com – urban poetry, comments appreciated.
calirockangel // December 4, 2008 at 7:32 am |
Great recommendation. Listening to some Jay Clifford on http://www.lala.com and I’m totally into it (great music site). It will also upload your music that it doesn’t have. It’s great to embed playlists and songs into your profile. No, I don’t work for them, but I use them a lot on my blog. Thanks for the new music, I’ll check back soon.
http://www.rockangelmusic.com …keep rockin…