Jessica 6 is the electronic pop performing alias of Nomi Ruiz which began as a Brooklyn-based Nu-disco and R&B trio that formed after helping put together the Hercules and Love Affair live show. Formerly known as Deep Red,[1] their name was taken from the lead character of the same name from the 1967 novel Logan's Run.[2]
Nomi Ruiz first met Andrew Raposo and Morgan Wiley in late 2007 after they helped put together the Hercules and Love Affair live show,[3] but didn't form the band until 2008. The band's bassist Andrew Raposo stated that the band formed after “Nomi [Ruiz] brought over a kick-pattern and a song she’d written called ‘Fun Girl.'” Raposo first met Wiley in college before joining the now defunct DFA produced hip-hop act Automato together.[2] The single "Fun Girl" was later released in October 2009 through the label Midnight Sun Sound.[4]
After signing to Peacefrog Records, Jessica 6 released the single "White Horse" on 7 January 2011.[6] The music video for the song premiered on Perez Hilton's website on 28 February 2011.[7] "White Horse" was released as a free download on RCRD LBL.[8] "White Horse" became a minor hit in Belgium, peaking at number 34 on the Belgian Wallonia Ultratip Chart.[9] To promote the album See the Light, Jessica 6 also released a limited edition vinyl of the song "Prisoner of Love."[10] "Prisoner of Love" features Hercules and Love Affair collaborator Antony Hegarty and was featured on Pitchfork Media.[11]
Their debut album See the Light was released on 6 June 2011.[12] The album received positive reviews from contemporary critics, earning an average score of 66/100 on the music review aggregation of Metacritic.[13] To coincide with the album's release, Jessica 6 released a free download of the song "East Went Funk" on RCRD LBL.[14]
Jessica 6 has been influenced by Vanity 6, Apollonia 6,[15] and Britney Spears circa Blackout.[2] Their music is described by Allmusic as a "mix of R&B, disco, and hip-hop -- along with healthy doses of freestyle, funk, punk, and pop."[16] Jessica 6 also identified Cuban-mafia fashion, the works of Dario Argento, and camp themes as sources of inspiration for the band's fashion and visuals.[2]
