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Jessica Lea Mayfield performs in The Current studio

  Play Now [19:36]

by Mark Wheat and Jessica Lea Mayfield

May 20, 2014

Jessica Lea Mayfield: No Fun' performed at The Current
by MPR
Jessica Lea Mayfield: 'Pure Stuff' performed at The Current
by MPR
Jessica Lea Mayfield: 'I Wanna Love You' performed at The Current
by MPR
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Jessica Lea Mayfield
MPR Photo / Nate Ryan

On tour supporting her new album, Make My Head Sing, Jessica Lea Mayfield stopped in to The Current's studio to play a few songs and to chat with Mark Wheat before playing a show at the Turf Club in St. Paul.

A major theme of Mayfield's interview is change, particularly how change engenders growth as an artist and as a human being. Originally the owner of a single acoustic guitar, Mayfield purchased a baritone electric guitar because it is "shiny and looks evil." The new sounds inspired new songs that led to Make My Head Sing.

Mayfield also spoke of a big change in her personal life — her marriage to bassist Jesse Newport. She also described how witnessing changes in the relationships around her inspired her song, "Pure Stuff."

And Mayfield also talked about the ways Nashville, Tenn., has changed in recent years, which she says is all the more incentive for her to continue residing in her hometown of Kent, Ohio.

Listen to the full interview to hear more about how the new album came together, about what life is like for a touring wife and husband, and about what it was like for Mayfield growing up in a musical family and deciding on her chosen profession.

Songs Performed


"No Fun"
"Pure Stuff"
"I Wanna Love You"
All songs off the album, Make My Head Sing, out now on ATO Records.

Hosted by Mark Wheat
Produced by Lindsay Kimball
Engineered by Michael DeMark