[Cover photo credit to Ismael Quintanilla III]
Jalesa Jessie, aka Chief Cleopatra, was raised in Texas on Gospel music but discovered The Smashing Pumpkins at a young age and brought other traditions into the multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter’s trajectory, including Soul, Funk, Pop and Hip-Hop.
Lured out to Austin in 2012 by the promise of better musical opportunities, Jessie connected with Leonard Martinez through mutual friends, and the two soon began collaborating. They dabbled in a number of projects and bands together over the next few years, and in February 2019, they released their first EP together, Lesa x Lenny Vol.1, under new moniker Chief Cleopatra.
In Spring of 2021, Chief Cleopatra released her first single and video “Friends” from forthcoming EP, Luna arriving in 2022 from Park the Van, and was chosen to be an official showcasing artist at South by Southwest, before headlining Austin festival Hot Summer Nights in August 2021.
Luna will find Cleo delving deeper into Psychedelic Soul roots and more experimental instrumentation, with featured Production by singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Walker Lukens and performances by Curtis Roush and Jack O’Brien (The Bright Light Social Hour).
The latest single released for Luna is “Dreamlights“.
Cleopatra comments:
The song is basically a reflection of a lover being abandoned by another lover. Having to pick up the pieces of what was left behind and battle heartbreak internally (and/or externally).
