Making it sing

In mid-2023, Jess Hitchcock released her much-anticipated second album, Unbreakable, following her debut, Bloodlines, in 2020. Fast forward to June 2024, and she lit up the stage at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Exciting plans are on the horizon, as she gears up to tour with the legendary singer-songwriter and guitarist Paul Kelly across Australia and New Zealand in 2025. I was thrilled to catch up with Jess in November 2024 for a chat about her upcoming tour with the Penny Quartet. 

My family hails from Papua New Guinea and the beautiful top Western Islands in the Torres Strait. I also have a bit of Tongan, Chinese, Irish and English heritage as well. I’ve been calling Naarm home for about ten years now. Before that, I was in South Sydney, on Dharawal Country. My Mum spent her childhood and early adulthood in Papua New Guinea, which has shaped a lot of who I am today. 

Music has always been a part of my life, so it felt like a natural fit. I started taking music lessons when I was around 5 years old, and my Mum always encouraged me and my siblings — I've got four sisters and one brother — to explore our interests. I didn't dive into singing until I turned 17. Before that, I was all about the classical piano and bassoon. After high school, I pursued a degree in anthropology, which was a bit of a left turn! It wasn’t until I performed in the opera Pecan Summer and joined Opera Australia that I really hit the road, travelling from Perth to Victoria to Brisbane. Oh, and I'm currently writing my own opera at the moment in three languages. 

I’ve got to say, Paul Kelly is a massive mentor for me. His songwriting and approach to the industry really resonates with me. Other people who inspire me include icons like Ella Fitzgerald, the incredible Diana Krall, the ever-legendary Dolly Parton, multi-talented Sierra Ferrell, and Aussie superstar Troy Cassar-Daley. They all bring something unique to the table! 

Oh, that’s a tough one. It’s constantly changing, but right now, I’m really loving 'Hurt So Bad' in the Linda Ronstadt version.  

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 are two of my all-time faves. I love the romantic, lush sounds without any lyrics pulling at my focus. 

I’m really looking forward to working with the Pennies again. The program features eleven different composers, and it’s such an exciting process! I feel like I'm constantly pushing my boundaries and challenging myself musically, blending my voice with others in a way that resonates deeply. It’s wonderful to see classical music organisations like this one fostering more innovative projects that tell immersive stories. 

Where do you see yourself in five to ten years? 
In five years I see myself touring music and in particular my own music, whether that be country music or operas that I have been writing. In ten years I hope I’ll be curating a festival, or be artistic director of an arts organisation. I aim to build a platform that highlights incredible artists from both Australia and abroad, sharing meaningful stories that inspire and connect.