Hey Jessi, how are you? I'm doing well. Thanks for having me back for the interview.

It's been nearly two years since your last interview with Music Promotions. What have you been up to since then? I just finished my second album, Rebirth, and am getting ready to start performing again. Last week I had my first role in a movie. A few years ago, I married my high school sweetheart - we met in our chorus class. I've also been working full-time doing administrative work at an engineering firm and recently finished a degree in website design. I'm about to go back to school for a business degree.

Your new album Rebirth is out now. Do you feel your sound has matured since your first release? I do. Apparently a person's voice doesn't fully mature until they are in their 30's. My voice feels stronger now and I have better control. Rebirth is an independent release, and I recorded, produced and performed all of the songs on the album. The album is mainly piano, vocals and a few strings, which is vastly different from my first album. Instead of pop/rock, my music is now more along the lines of pop/folk with some blues stylizations. It was a little intimidating being completely in control of the process, but I think that I now have a better grasp over the style of music that I need to be creating. It was a great learning experience.

How long have you spent recording Rebirth? A little bit over a year. I recorded the album at home. My husband and I bought our first house earlier this year, and we turned one of the walk-in closets into the studio. Working full-time and going to school, it's been more challenging to find time to work on music. Feels great to have this album finished, though. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to focus on live shows now.

Is Rebirth only available at your live shows? The album will be available online at DFJamsStore.com. It will also be available digitally through iTunes and other MP3 stores.

Do you plan to release your album outside the US? Anyone will be able to purchase the album since it's online. I hope to officially release the album outside the US, and am looking into what my options are.

Which single will be released next from Rebirth? You'll Rise Above. It's an inspirational ballad about wanting someone that you love to be in a good place in life. Watching someone that you're close to go through bad experiences sucks, especially when there's usually nothing that you can do about it. The main message is in the chorus: "The night is long, the journey cold, but keep holding on - you'll rise above."

Which songs are your favourite to perform live? Rebirth, Get Gone and Shopping Spree are a lot of fun to perform. They all have a little bit of attitude, and Rebirth and Get Gone have a blues element to them. I love the way the blues songs lend themselves to improvisation.

What shows that you have lined up, are you most looking forward to performing at? I'm just starting to book some shows. One of the shows that I'm really looking forward to is an outdoor festival. I love being outside and there's something special about performing in front of people who are relaxed and just enjoying life. Outdoor festivals have a really cool atmosphere.

Did you write all the songs on Rebirth your self? With the exception of a cover of Amazing Grace, I wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the album. It was actually something of a family project. My husband, dad and aunt contributed lyrics to several songs. Each of them are very talented and very different types of writers. They all brought something new to the table.

Where do you find inspriation for your music? Everywhere. There are so many interesting things going on in the world - funny, sad, heroic, beautiful - it's hard to run out of things to write about. And in life in general . . . a lot of my lyrics are very introspective. I was always really shy as a kid - still am a little - and I was lonely quite a bit growing up, never felt like I fit in. Some of the songs on Rebirth, like Afraid To Be Alive and Prayer, are about this. Listening to other music, reading, and watching movies/tv can also spark ideas.

What music are you listening to at the moment? The White Stripes, Bush, Nirvana, Prince, Christina Aguilera and Stevie Wonder.

Do you have any messages for your fans? Thanks for your support and for believing in me! If you would like to keep up with what's going on, you can sign up for my newsletter at http://www.jessihamiltonmusic.com/lists/