Kerry Jones, front-woman of Portland art rock band Death Doula, started her musical odyssey belting out pop hits as a child and never looked back. Her self-taught guitar skills and powerful vocals form the bedrock of the band's sound, drawing from her varied musical influences. With their debut album out now, Death Doula aims to cut through the digital noise to reconnect listeners with raw, heartfelt music.

Lawrence Peryer: What is your first memory of music?

Kerry Jones: My dad and I are in his office on a Summer weekend, and The Eagles are playing on our radio.

Lawrence: You want someone to understand you. What song or album do you give them?

Kerry: Mystery White Boy, Jeff Buckley.

Lawrence: What instrument(s) can you play?

Kerry: Trumpet was my first instrument, but I doubt my embouchure could hang these days. Mostly, I'm a guitar and voice gal.

Lawrence: What song, album, or artist never gets old for you?

Kerry: Tori Amos ~ I love so many things she's put out over the years, but my two favorites are Scarlet's Walk and From the Choirgirl Hotel.

Lawrence: What music do you and your significant other disagree about?

Kerry: Bush. And Oasis. Lol.

Lawrence: What is a creative work or artist, outside of music, that you love or admire?

Kerry: Cindy Sherman. David Lynch. Tarsem Singh.

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Lawrence: What person, dead or alive, would you like to share a meal with (and which meal of the day)?

Kerry: Viggo Mortenson and I could have a nice long lunch together in Majorca. I'd love to talk with Jeff Buckley over morning coffee, but I can't even fathom actually meeting him and risking him being pushed off the pedestal.

Lawrence: What was your first concert?

Kerry: Janet Jackson with Usher opening. I grew up in Las Vegas, and my dad took me to a giant arena inside a hotel and casino for this one. I remember curling my hair before the show, thinking that in case Janet saw me, I wanted her to feel like I got cute for her.

Lawrence: There's a band playing in Heaven tonight. Who is in it?

Kerry: This question is incredible. Caroline Polachek is singing, obviously. Thom Yorke plays guitar and does vocal harmonies. Eberhard Weber on upright bass. Stella Mozgawa on drums.

Lawrence: What is your theme song?

Kerry: The Cloud Atlas Sextet.

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Lawrence: What instrument do you wish you could play?

Kerry: Piano.

Lawrence: Who is your musical hero?

Kerry: Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Beth Gibbons.

Death Doula band – Portland, Oregon

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