Singer-songwriter Jessica Sweetman has revealed how she resorted to sleeping overnight in a recording studio in Nashville to land a major record deal. The Sutton Coldfield-born artist, who already had a publishing deal with BMG, found herself without accommodation after moving from Los Angeles.
Describing the period as a 'challenging struggle', Sweetman recalled that hotel prices in Nashville were extortionate. With a keycard giving 24-hour access to BMG's offices, she decided to stay overnight after everyone left at 6pm. 'I was fearless, I'm still fearless now, but at that time, my back was up against the wall, I was struggling,' she told the Mirror.
For ten days, Sweetman worked through the night, crafting music she later described as 'producing gold'. When she was eventually caught, she arranged a meeting with the label boss and played four songs. 'I called a meeting with the head of the label, I went into his office... I slept on every sofa in this office,' she said, adding that he subsequently signed her to a record deal.
Sweetman's latest single 'Rise Up' is accompanied by a cinematic music video starring Peaky Blinders actor Emmett J. Scanlan. The collaboration came about after Scanlan heard the song at the Irish Post Awards and expressed interest. 'He loved the song; it's very much his genre and the style he likes,' Sweetman explained.
The video, filmed in Hastings over two days, portrays hope amid struggle. 'What I love about the video is there's this hope, and there's kind of light at the end of it,' Sweetman said. Scanlan praised her collaborative spirit, stating, 'Jessica was so insanely collaborative and trusting... I really felt invited into her story.'
Sweetman admitted that releasing such a personal track feels 'very vulnerable' but remains excited. 'I write the truth, I don't write fiction... all of my art is very, very real and raw,' she said.
