Jenny Gillespie has been playing for 14 years, since she picked up her mother’s guitar at age 13. She has mostly performed as a solo acoustic act, but she has recorded with a full band; currently she's putting a live version together in Chicago.

“I would call my sound pretty slightly rootsy folk-rock with an elegant twist,” says Gillespie. “Kate Bush meets Crowded House.

Her last recording, Love and Ammunition was recorded in Austin, Texas at JJ Plasencio (Sixpence None the Richer)'s studio, in 2004.

“This year I played at Folk Alliance in Memphis, Living Room in NYC, I'm a regular performer at Uncommon Ground and will play at Around the Coyote Fest in September,” says Gillespie. “Currently I'm readying to record basic tracks at Electrical Studios in Chicago for my next CD, tentatively titled Soft Seizure.”

Gillespie plays an electric/acoustic Dean guitar.

“It was reasonably priced and very pretty with abalone edging around the body. It's a very durable and pretty guitar,” says Gillespie. “I can bang it around a bit without damage--I play guitar pretty hard at times--but the sound, while reliable, can get a little stale for me.”

That in mind Gillespie tries to mix things up gear-wise when she is writing. Even using instruments she admits are not her strong suit.

“I like writing on different things, piano and mandolin--even though I'm not that great at either, so I know if I had another guitar to write with I could flesh out some more diversified sounds in my music,” says Gillespie. “I am hoping my day job will give me a raise soon so I can buy said guitar and pay for my next CD!”

She also has a guitar tale of woe. The sort of thing you cringe when you hear—and it is worse if you are a musician because you have probably done something similar.

“I did sell my Martin a few years back and the guy told me I would regret it and of course I do. But I was unemployed and desperate and needed to pay some debts,” says Gillespie. “I'd love that Martin back, my mom's 1972 baby Martin--don't worry, she told me I could sell it! I'd also love a nylon-stringed guitar, a 12 stringed, a Gretsch electric; something electric and handsome like what Feist plays.”

Recently Gillespie has been using Garageband to record new material.

“I mic my guitar with a Shure mic borrowed from my boyfriend who used to work at Electrical Studios. I also use his electric from time to time and plug it directly into the M-Audio box,” says Gillespie. “I usually record voice and acoustic live because I'm terrible at separating the two. I try to set it at a level where that track of guitar-and-voice can provide sort of a sketched foundation, so I can go back over with clearer vocals and ideas for guitar riffs and piano parts. I sometimes experiment with drum looping on the musical typing feature. I have a book on my shelf just waiting to be read on everything Garage Band.”

Gillespie will be playing numerous upcoming shows and is recording basic tracks for her next record in October.