The ‘Boro Sessions presents Grant Peeples & Jess Klein

A self-described “vegetarian that watches NASCAR, and tree-hugger with a gun below the seat,” Grant Peeples is knownfor his axe-sharp socio-political tunes, raucous humor and heart-gigging ballads. In 2014 he was the recipient of the Focus Foundation Award for Creative Excellence, which cited the “humor, compassion and wisdom of his songs,” as well as their unflinching social insight and cultural acuity.”

He was a 2016 Finalist in the prestigious New Folk Songwriters Showcase, sponsored by Kerrville Folk Festival.Grant spent over a decade living on a small island off the Miskito Coast of Nicaragua. During his US absence (1995-2006), while our country was surging ahead into lifestyle changes bordering on futuristic, Grant was installing the island’s first flushing toilet, digging his own well, and rescuing sea turtles on Little Corn Island. He returned in 2006 to a homeland going through economic, social, and political upheaval. Much of his writing is in response to what he found on his return.

Third Coast Magazine’s John Conquest says “Peeples is unusually literate, unusually honest and the only songwriter I have ever called ‘ruthless.’”Grant has made seven studio records including a trilogy produced by Gurf Morlix. His newest record, “A Congress of Treasons”, was released in February, 2016.

Jess Klein came to this world to pull firebrand power and childlike joy from our darkest shadows. Her acoustic-driven, hook-laden story songs revel in the polychrome of human experience - joy, rage, sensuality and resilience. The New York Times calls her “A songwriter with a voice of unblinking tenacity.”

Jess has toured the globe performing in pin-drop listening rooms, cozy theaters and at raucous festivals in front of tens of thousands of fans. She has toured nationally and internationally supporting Arlo Guthrie, Josh Ritter, Damien Dempsey, John Fullbright and Jonathan Byrd and has opened for such legends as Ani DiFranco, Steve Earle and Alejandro Escovedo. Jess has appeared on Good Morning America and NPR’s All Things Considered and has performed at the Newport, Winnipeg, Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Festivals as well as Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.

Jess's live shows are known for their intimate and soulful atmosphere. Whether solo with just her guitar or backed by a band, Jess performs with a raw, emotional intensity. Her emotive vocals, and poignant storytelling invite her fans on a journey through themes of love, loss, and resilience.

The Bluegrass Situation hails Jess's work as “one part grassroots social activism, two parts alt-country guitar rock — a combo we can certainly get behind.” Klein's newest album, 2023's When We Rise, harnesses this potent combination with themes of empowerment and the joy of overcoming set to a dynamic and deeply introspective roots-inflected soundtrack.