New England four-member alternative rock band Jennifer Tefft & The Strange is kicking off the year with a sweeping start after releasing new song “A Little More,” which follows the band’s 2024 debut album Strange Beginnings and an interpretation of The Lumineers’ “Salt And The Sea.”
Lead vocalist Jennifer Tefft—a veteran musician and songwriter who has shared the stage with Aerosmith, Warrant, Quiet Riot, Sarah McLachlan at the legendary Lilith Fair, Missing Persons, Grant Hart, The Sheila Divine, and many more and whose songs have been heard across international televisions on Cruel Summer, CSI, Stargate Universe, One Life To Live, The Young & The Restless—took time for this OOTB Interview to discuss her music interest origins, inspirational vocalists, writing personal songs, the band’s Lumineers’ cover, and goals through the year.
When and what was the moment that made you click with music and want to create music?
I distinctly remember being a kid—really young, like four or five years old and making up silly songs of my own… you know, about my stuffed animals, etc. [laughs].
I’ve always loved music and connected to it right away—my parents had a huge LP collection and I used to spend hours on the family room floor listening to them and poring over the album covers.
I think I really started seriously considering making my own music during my senior year in high school. I obsessively watched MTV and just really wanted to be a part of all of it.
What vocalist(s) do you draw inspiration from and why those artists?
I draw inspiration from a lot of vocalists for different reasons: Pat Benatar for tone and range, Eddie Vedder for expression and emotion, Janet LaValley (Tribe) for everything—she’s one of my all-time favorite singers!
Do you generally write songs that are more personal, such as “A Little More,” or songs that lean more vague? Why that approach?
I think as I’ve gotten older and more comfortable with the craft of songwriting, I tend more towards writing personal songs.
I think when I first started out writing, I didn’t always know what the song was about or what I wanted to say with it. I would come up with a line and that would be it.
I’ve gotten more comfortable with letting songs sit and simmer until I figure out what I want to express and how best to express it and really work the lines until they are the best I can come up with.
What is it about Lumineers’ “Salt And The Sea” that provoked you to cover that particular song?
I just fell in love with this song right away.
The arrangement on the Lumineers’ version is so simple and beautiful, the melodies are haunting. It just kind of kicked me in the gut when I heard it.
I could hear how we could interpret it and knew we could make it something cool
What are your aspirations throughout the rest of the year?
I know we would all love to play as much as we can for as many people as possible.
We want to release a lot of music this year and continue to see where the evolution of the band leads us!
I also want to collaborate on shows with more artists—I love putting events together and finding really cool bands to work with.
I’m hoping to really up the production value on some of the events, and incorporate more visuals and things like circus arts, etc.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I just really want to thank everyone in this band for making music so fun to play. I love the chemistry of the four of us when we get in a room and start playing and I can’t wait to see where the year takes us.
Listen To “A Little More”
Jennifer Tefft & The Strange are:
Jennifer Tefft: Vocals and acoustic guitar
John Parrillo: Electric guitar
Stephen “Sharky” Beccia: Bass
Chris Jost: Drums
Connect With Jennifer Tefft & The Strange
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Photo: John Parrillo
Album Art: Stephen ‘Sharky’ Beccia; design by Jennifer Tefft
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