Biography

Recording and touring as an integral member of Now, Now, Jess Abbott eventually pursued a solo career as Tancred, releasing critically acclaimed albums via Topshelf Records and Polyvinyl Record Co., arguably precursors to the 2020s resurgence of 90s-influenced indie rock songwriters. Abbott had the prescience in 2015 to enlisted producers Anna Waronker (That Dog) and Steven McDonald (Redd Kross) for her album Out Of The Garden. 2022 finds Tancred releasing the first new music since 2018’s Nightstand, an album featuring songs Stereogum described as “urgent and shimmering” and that saw NPR Music declare Abbott had “polished her songwriting into a resplendent pop shine.” The past four years away from the tunnel vision of constant touring and recording, paired with a return home to Abbott’s native state of Maine, have allowed for a needed re-set. Abbott has kept a foothold in the music world all the same, most recently releasing collaborative holiday singles in 2021 with Nelson and Youngs, appearing as a vocalist on Hrishikesh Hirway’s recent single “Still Dreaming”, and songwriting with and for other artists including Youngs, Alex Lahey, and more. With “Mirepoix”, Tancred reemerges from a restorative reprieve, sharing Abbott’s remarkable talent for distilling expansive emotionally resonant subjects into satisfyingly concise and perceptive pop influenced gems. Mirepoix features Jenny Owen Youngs and was produced by John Mark Nelson (Taylor Swift, Mitski, Devon Cole).