Tenci

Tenci is a Chicago based indie band led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Jess Shoman, whose music comes from an idiosyncratic place with freak folk roots and quirky indie rock elements added into the mix. Their 2022 album A Swollen River, A Well Overflowing saw an expansion in the band's stylistic scope that upped the rock elements noticeably, along with the overall tempo. Shoman is a songwriter with an ear towards distinctive melodic phrasing and a wistful tone in their delivery that may at times be reminiscent of Big Thief, Mothers, or early Throwing Muses in terms of feel and emotional intensity. The band participates in the off kilter nature of their music through their distinct arrangement choices, including some solid guitar work and Curtis Oren's saxophone.