South Philly Review

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Jennifer Logue played a stage at the Virgin Mobile Freefest Sept. 10 before Cee Lo Green and The Black Keys took the same stage. But Saturday, she was belting tunes at Connie’s Ric Rac., 1132 S. Ninth St.

“We had a really nice turnout. I was really pleasantly surprise by that,” Logue said. “I love South Philly and I love the people in Philly. I haven’t been very consistent with playing Philadelphia shows, so I’m trying to make more of an effort to play in Philly once a month.

“Those are the people who got me to where I am. It’s nice being with a home crowd, on home turf.”

The recent show was to help to promote the upcoming release of the singer/songwriter’s new album, “The Split Sessions.” Logue said the album is slated for an October release, but recent opportunities have been taking precedence.

“I got into CMJ, which is New York’s big festival,” Logue, who is from the 2200 block of South Bouvier Street, said. “It’s really hard to get into these things, so it was such a pleasant surprise when I got in.”

Playing the New York festival in late October and fielding other offers she has received since the Virgin concert — which was a vote-in contest that Logue entered on a whim — has kept her busy. She realizes, however, all this opportunity is because of her fan base.

“Five bands were selected. I was the only girl and the only solo artist,” Logue, who found out two days before the concert that she was selected, said. “It was pretty awesome. I didn’t realize how many fans I had. It’s all about fans’ support. My fans voted me in.”

To repay the favor, three free downloads from the upcoming album are available on her website (www.jenniferloguemusic.com). The songs, Logue said, are most recently influenced by artists Adele, Feist and PJ Harvey.

“I listen to so much music all the time, my influences are constantly changing. Right now those are the artists I listen to a lot that help contribute to the sound,” she said. “But I also like Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and Amy Winehouse …”

“The music that influences me is anything that is real and honest. It’s not about how well someone sings or plays, but the quality of the feeling.”

Growing up in St. Monica’s Parish, Logue has been told she was singing as early as age 3, but she began professional vocal training by age 7.

“I’ve always been very musical,” she said.

Around age 10, Logue left the area to settle in Delaware County, where her mother, Celeste, still resides. By 18, she was headed off with a scholarship to New York City-based Fordham University.

“I’ve been here ever since, pounding the pavement trying to make things happen,” Logue said. “I do some other stuff. I’m also a blogger and a TV host.”

As part of her other work, Logue has had the opportunity to interview people such as Jon Bon Jovi, James Taylor and Billy Joel, and listen to some of their words of wisdom.

“Bon Jovi once said to me in an interview, ‘Songwriting is basically the closest thing we have to immortality’,” Logue said. “I’m a songwriter. Songwriting really is my purpose for being here.

“You spend a lot of time in your life trying to figure out what’s your medium. I feel so blessed to know that every day I wake up with a song in my heart — to have the power to take an experience you have and make it eternal.”

As she continues to play in New York and Philadelphia, she enjoys the different vibes of various venues, and makes it a point to continue playing in her hometown.