Why we’re gonna miss Jen and the Juice

At the end of her set at Downtown After Five on Friday, Jen of Jen and the Juice said something to the effect of goodbye and “you may not be seeing us for awhile.” Somebody in the crowd shouted back, asking if Jen and the Juice was breaking up. Jen answered with a non-answer.

Later, when we caught Jen to chat with her, she remained mysterious. Maybe it’s time to go away and make room in Ashvegas for another local band, or whatever, Jen said. Maybe she’d reached her creative end, she said, shaking her head and taking another sip of her beer. Maybe it was just time, it’s so hard and all, she said.

That’s all true. We walked away sensing an artist at a crossroads. Pursuing your dreams can be damn hard work. Frustrating. You’re constantly reaching, putting yourself out there, and for what? Sometimes the highs are great. Sometimes, you wonder what it’s all for.

In perhaps a symbolic gesture, Jen punctuated her set by pulling out a box full of her CD, “Meet the Hooligans of Bohemia,” and tossing the lot out into the crowd. One last purge.

We empathize with you, Jen. You’ve been a great addition to the Ashvegas music scene. Don’t give up your dreams. But Asheville, don’t be surprised if Friday was the last you see of Jen and the Juice.