Tell us about:

Your latest single you have released: 

The song is called “Caffeine” and it just came out on Rock Garden Records. It was the final track written for our new album, Strange Beginnings, out in May, and coincidentally, it just felt like an end-of-the-night song from the start, something to close our live sets with. So it’s an invitation to the people at a Jennifer Tefft & The Strange show to come back, because we want to see your face again, as the lyric goes We appreciate that exchange of energy from stage to audience – it feels so much like a caffeine buzz, that we will keep that energy alive until we meet again to do it all over again. 

Your favourite lyric in this song: 

“I’ve scratched my thoughts out loud into my skin / I’ll crack my heart wide open, invite you in.”

Your favourite song that you have created that is an album track: 

“Papercut” – this is my favorite vocal performance on the new album and when we were arranging it, we struggled with the groove that my guitar part suggested, but it all just melded together into a really sweet vibe and groove. 

Your favourite song to play live: 

“Caffeine” – it is just so full of energy, joy, excitement and love!

The song that was the longest to write and why? 

On our forthcoming album, it would be “Lullaby.” I’m not sure why this one took so long. I had several versions of the verse melody, chorus melody, lyrics, number of verses… I just kept changing things around until it was time to record and I finally had to call it done!

Your most emotional track: 

On this forthcoming album, there are two that are super emotional for me: “Papercut,” which is a song about my inner voice; and “Second Chance To Burn” which really relates to my music career as well as my current personal relationship.

Dream collaboration: 

How do I name just one?! Eddie Vedder, Florence Welch, Trent Reznor are a few at the top of my list. And a new discovery for me who I am obsessed with, Tamino.

Describe the feeling you get when you walk on stage to do a show: 

Usually excitement, but tinged with total dread that I”m not going to be able to hear what I need to – that usually gets alleviated or exacerbated mid way through the first song! 

The hardest track to play live: 

I’m sure we all have different answers to this one. I think currently the hardest one for me is “Lullaby.” I worked on that song for so long and played guitar a certain way for so long, then we changed the parts as we arranged it for the whole band so I need to reprogram my brain to play those new parts while I’m singing.

Essential items you always take on tour with you? 

Vanilla chai lattes, Celsius, gum, massage gun and lax ball, Kindle, headphones, Ibuprofen, edibles for sleep, earplugs and my pillow!

Describe your fans in three words: 

Diverse, Devoted, Entertaining!

A song by another artist or band you wish you had written: 

This is a tough one… there are so many to choose from! One I’ve always loved and one that made me want to be a musician is from an old Boston band called Tribe. Their song “Joyride” always makes me wish it was my song.

What we can look forward to from your band this year: 

The new album coming out in May and lots of shows!