The Jameson Bow Street Sessions take place later this month, with several acts on the line-up for the January 26th gig at The Sugar Club.

Over the next few days, we'll be bringing you Q&As with all three acts - Booka Brass, BARQ and Soulé - who'll be performing both individually and together on a very special collaboration on the night.

The songs they'll be performing together will be kept secret until the night of the gig, adding to the suspense of it all.

Today, we chat to Jess Kav from Dublin four-piece BARQ about what makes her eclectic band tick.

What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
I think I listen to most of my teenage music. I would still listen to Lauryn Hill, Janet Jackson, Radiohead’s Kid A and Rage Against The Machine on a regular basis. They would all be big influencers of BARQ’s sound. My boyfriend recently got into The Bends, Radiohead which was my favourite album when I was 13 so it’s great to revisit that album, through him.

When did you first realise that you wanted a career in music?
I have always wanted to be a musician. I found my childhood filofax and “singer” was etched into it from when I was six! It took a little longer to gain the courage to take myself seriously, so I guess from about 18 I have considered it to be a genuine career-goal.

In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
Deep, deep breaths.

How do you wind down after a gig?
A bit of peace and quiet, if I can find it and sitting down.

What’s the one song you wish you’d written or recorded first?
Don’t really know how to answer that. No one’s except our own?

What song of yours are you most proud of?
Corvax. It’s not recorded yet so you can only hear it at our live gigs. It’s an incredible song. The bridge is in an odd time signature and sounds like twisted afrobeat. There’s also no chords in the beginning of the song so I have little to go on for tuning, bar vocal muscle-memory. When I nail it, it’s very satisfying.

What’s your favourite venue to perform in?
I really like the sound in The Academy and I have enough room to roll around like a lunatic. So it has the both things I like!

Your best and worst gig so far?
There genuinely hasn't been a bad one. Some of our most quiet gigs, we’ve gotten the best photos and it’s given us the best content online. Some of the gigs with the worst stage-sound have been the most craic and have had the best crowd. They’re all good. Most favourite so far have probably been Gigonometry in The Workmans for great vibes, The Bowery for the amazing support and supporting The Strypes for their absolutely gorgeous and welcoming fans.

Whose career do you envy, and why?
I don’t really envy people’s career. I think respecting people’s career is a healthier way of thinking. Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill are my two idols both have stayed true to their art and have shown significant development. More recently, Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes is an absolute powerhouse. Adore her songs and voice.

Vinyl or digital downloads?
Vinyl for older albums, digital for more contemporary stuff.

Give your thoughts on Spotify in three words.
Good. For. Them.
UPDATE: Not. F**king. Working!!

You can only have three albums on your phone/in your house at any one time - what three would you pick for today?
Good Kid, MAAD City, Kendrick Lamar. GoGo Penguin - Version 2.0. John Coltrane and Duke Ellington - In A Sentimental Mood.

Name one piece of music memorabilia that you wish you owned.
Prince’s bicycle.

Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
Book: Robert Anton Wilson - Prometheus Rising
Film: The Hours
Record: Ella Fitzgerald and Nelson Riddle, Swing Softly

Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Joss Whedon to direct. Alia Shawkat to play me (Jess). Seth Green to play Tommy (Drums-seriously they are uncanny, check it out). Aaron Paul to Play Steve (guitar). Elijah Wood for Neil (bass).

You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Indian. Give me all the paneer please.

You’ve been given €100,000 to spend, but only 1 hour to spend it. What do you buy?
One recording studio! All the trimmings!

Describe your perfect day off.
Walk in the Botanic Gardens, head to Hugh Lane on the way back into town. Sushi in Yamamori on the quays, then head to Grogan's for people watching and chats outside.

A big part of the Jameson Bow St. Sessions is collaboration - what have been your favourite famous musical collaborations over the years?
Singing Fairytale of New York with Damien Dempsey. Singing Nothing Compares To You with Mick Pyro. Singing our song “Change My Ways” with SOULÉ at our “Bear” single launch.

Can you give us a teaser of what to expect from your own Bow St. Sessions collaboration?
Face-melting grooves.

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Tickets for the Jameson Bow St. Sessions are free, but you need to register for tickets at this link.