Jessica Lea Mayfield

If 2008 started things in motion for sultry songstress Jessica Lea Mayfield, 2009 may prove to be a banner year for the upstart musician. She released her debut album, the cleverly titled With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, in September and has been tabbed to open for the likes of Annuals and Ray LaMontagne. Her cover of Buddy Holly's "Words of Love" is featured on Starbucks' Sweetheart compilation. This string of success is sure to catapult Mayfield into the conscience of fans of down-to-earth, insightful pop music. Mayfield, a native of Kent, Ohio, stands as the only guest vocalist to appear on a Black Keys record. Dan Auerbach, one half of the Akron duo, returned the favor, producing and playing on her debut album. Mayfield's lyrics speak well beyond her 18 years on this Earth, evoking those stubborn emotions that we too often keep deep down inside — for good reason. They are dark, insightful and eerily resonating. But why write a sugary, feel-good pop song? Things aren't always what they seem, and Jessica Lea Mayfield knows that you know this, too. She just chooses to sing about it in her resplendently smoky voice.