Jay Runyon is playing at the Pine Tavern Distillery on Saturday, February 14. That’s Valentine’s Day. Since I’ve devoted my life to supporting music and art in Salem County, I decided to reach out to Jay to see if we could meet for coffee. See what she had to say. She told me not to expect the February 14 gig at Pine Tavern to be filled with a bunch of love songs.

“Maybe you don’t have a date. Come out and have a cocktail; just hang out with me.”

I would totally hang out with Jay. Her original songs out on Bandcamp are worth your time. They are not love songs. They are raw and scrappy. The words are vulnerable and self-reflective; inspired by personal epiphanies, like the realization that nothing around you is what it seems to be, and it all has to change. For Jay, music is a driving force, as well as a cathartic part of the therapeutic process. The resulting poetry in her lyrics deserves deep listening so you can really soak up it up and marinate in it.

Jay’s voice is one of her best assets. I enjoyed her cover of Black Velvet at the Bluesday Tuesday jam at the Woodstown Tavern & Hotel recently. She cited Ani Difranco as one of her influences. I picked up some Lucinda Williams vibes.

In addition to her voice and poetic lyrics, her support of other local artists was also a big draw for me. Jay helps organize and promote the Fierce & Fretted show on January 23 at the Verga VFW in West Deptford, in addition to being in the lineup. Fierce & Fretted is a traveling showcase of all-female musicians that organizes several gigs in the South Jersey area throughout the year.

I really enjoyed my conversation with Jay Runyon. For me, it was positive reinforcement that supporting each other in creating live, local music is important. Music creates community and connection. I am grateful to have met Jay Runyon. Jay, thank you for the inspiring conversation; I look forward to seeing you play out again.

Jay Runyon on Bandcamp: https://jayrunyon.bandcamp.com/track/yeah-no

Article and pictures by Sara Morgan

If you have news or reviews of musicians playing in Salem County that you would like to share, please send us a message. We support live music. Thank you to Woodstown Music for allowing us the space to have a cup of coffee and a conversation.