Jep and Dep

Initially starting out as an antifolk band the duo quickly fell into the traditional folk music genre, flirting with equal parts alt-country to equal part ethereal folk.

Their sound is characterised by Cassar's beautiful torch singer vocal style, coupled with Cross's weary, Johnny Cash-esque gravely vocal tone.{{cite web|url=http://doubtfulsounds.net/2014/10/28/album-review-jep-and-dep-word-got-out/|title=ALBUM REVIEW: Jep and Dep – Word Got Out |work=Doubtful Sounds|date=28 October 2014 }}

Songs are performed live with just an acoustic guitar that Cross plays – reminiscent of Neil Young Live at Massey Hall.{{cite web|url=http://themusic.com.au/reviews/reviews-live/2014/01/15/johnny-marr-oxford-art-factory-chris-familton/|title=Johnny Marr Oxford Art Factory Chris Familton ♫ theMusic.com.au – Australia's Premier Music News & Reviews Website|work=The Music}}

The band adopt a Film Noir look- all videos and photos are in black and white.

They have also been invited to and perform with musicians such as Johnny Marr from The Smiths, Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals, Kristin Hersh from Throwing Muses,{{cite web|url=http://doubtfulsounds.net/2014/09/29/news-jep-and-dep-announce-debut-album-tour-and-new-single/|title=NEWS: Jep and Dep announce debut album, tour and new single|work=Doubtful Sounds|date=29 September 2014}} Lindi Ortega, Deertick, Mia Dyson,{{cite web|url=http://www.theaureview.com/reviews/sydney/mia-dyson-jep-dep-the-factory-floor-sydney-03-04-14|title=Live Review: Mia Dyson + Jep & Dep – The Factory Floor, Sydney (03.04.14) |work=the AU review}} Jen Cloher with Courtney Barnett and recently Mirel Wagner{{cite web |url=http://www.theaureview.com/interviews/jep-and-dep-sydney |title=the AU interview: Jep and Dep (Sydney) talk folk noir, single launch and the big trip to Europe! |publisher=the AU review |accessdate=23 July 2015 |archive-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815102709/http://www.theaureview.com/interviews/jep-and-dep-sydney |url-status=dead }} in Helsinki, Finland, Aldous Harding,{{cite web|url=http://www.thevanguard.com.au/shows/2015/08/13/aldous-harding/13121 |title=SPUNK PRESENTS 'ALDOUS HARDING' at The Vanguard, Thursday 13 August |website=Thevanguard.com.au |date=13 August 2015 |accessdate=5 April 2016}} Jessica Pratt, the Black Eyed Susan's, Hugo Race and Low.

Jep and Dep's debut album Word Got Out was independently released by the duo to critical acclaim in late October 2014,{{cite web|url=http://doubtfulsounds.net/2014/10/28/album-review-jep-and-dep-word-got-out/ |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Jep and Dep – Word Got Out – Doubtful Sounds |publisher=Doubtfulsounds.net |date=28 October 2014 |accessdate=23 July 2015}} receiving 4 out of 5 reviews in both Rolling Stone{{cite web |url=http://rollingstoneaus.com/reviews/post/jep-and-dep-word-got-out/905 |title=Rolling Stone Australia – Jep and Dep – Word Got Out |publisher=Rollingstoneaus.com |date=26 November 2014 |accessdate=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117062616/http://rollingstoneaus.com/reviews/post/jep-and-dep-word-got-out/905 |archive-date=17 January 2016 |url-status=dead }} and The Sydney Morning Herald{{cite web|author=Bernard Zuel |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/the-shortlist-album-reviews-november-713-20141101-11dn9n.html |title=The Shortlist album reviews: November 7–13 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=6 November 2014 |accessdate=23 July 2015}} "Come on like folk-noir variations on Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue's classic Where the Wild Roses Grow, ballads with the right balance of creeping menace and painful regret".

The album was recorded minimally - a nod to 1960s folk recording techniques - at Damien Gerards studios in Sydney by Peter Holz, then produced by Darren Cross at Bernstein Studios for five months.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

In August 2017, Jep and Dep released their second album THEY'VEBEENCALLED on their own No Drums Records, to critical acclaim.{{Cite web |url=https://rollingstoneaus.com/reviews/post/jep-and-dep/6796 |title=Rolling Stone Australia - Album Review: Jep and Dep - THEY'VEBEENCALLED |access-date=15 August 2017 |archive-date=15 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815100606/https://rollingstoneaus.com/reviews/post/jep-and-dep/6796 |url-status=dead }}

Rolling Stone said "Channelling Tom Waits, Scott Walker and Serge Gainsbourg and THEY’VEBEENCALLED is supremely atmospheric, and revels in the shadows".

The album's main themes deal with the all encompassing gentrification of the modern world- specifically Sydney and Berlin, unrequited love and the passing of loved ones.[http://themusic.com.au/video/all/2016/10/24/premiere-jep-and-dep-my-berlin/] {{dead link|date=January 2022}}

The album was recorded and produced by Darren Cross between the hours of 12 am and 5 am as next to his studio there were ongoing renovations happening, giving the album an overall eerie atmosphere.[http://themusic.com.au/interviews/all/2017/08/07/jep-and-dep-jessica-cassar/] {{dead link|date=January 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://scenestr.com.au/music/jep-and-dep-are-battling-for-the-little-indie-guy|title = Jep and Dep Are Battling for the Little, Indie Guy|website=Scenestr.com.au}}

The duo have boycotted popular streaming services as it "devaluates their music". The album is only available on the bandcamp platform.

Cassar issued her debut solo album, The Space Between, in 2020, which was recorded with Cross at his home studio, Bernstein Studios from March to August in that year.{{cite journal | url = https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/jessica-the-space-between-review-17604/ | title = Jessica's The Space Between Is a Masterclass of Ethereal Brilliance | last = Jenke | first = Tyler | journal = Rolling Stone Australia | date = 2 October 2020 | access-date = 13 November 2021 }} Rolling Stone Australia's Tyler Jenke declared, "[she] uses her ethereal voice to create something not only unique, but versatile, with the otherworldly nature of her stunning vocals at times turning the record that feels wholly instrumental, before her poetic lyrics again come into focus and work their magic."

• THEY'VEBEENCALLED (2017)
• Word Got Out (2014)

• Through The Night (2012)

• "Helpless City" (2017)
• "Cruel Moon" (2017)
• "My Berlin" (2016)
• "Tears in the Rain" (2015)
• "Babe Come Down" (2014)
• "Granted" (2014)
• "Confide in Me" (2013)
• "Ain't Coming Back" (2012)
• "The Fall of the Leaves Never Cease" (2012)

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• {{official website|http://www.jepanddep.com/}}

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Category:Australian folk music groups