Welcome!
My name is Jesse Norell and I’m a guitar teacher, singer and songwriter, from Minneapolis, MN… but this isn’t about me. It’s about my daughter, Alyssa. Alyssa was born with Down Syndrome and a heart defect that would require multiple surgeries to fix. The journey our family went on to reach physical and emotional wellness after a difficult season inspired me to write my first album in 15 years.

The Album
“Aorta Borealis” is my first solo record. It begins with a darker, story-driven set of songs followed by a handful of songs that celebrate kids with special needs, families that have been through the fire together, and a reclaimed life that’s filled with joy. If this story connects with you in some way, consider joining my little club here on Patreon!

What's in store for you?
Aorta Borealis will be available to the public on March 4th, 2022, but I made it available for Patreon Members right now! I've made FOUR music videos that Patreon members will also have early access to. The best way I can describe the music is "cinematic indie rock," but you can check out a few samples of the music for yourself on JesseNorell.com to see if it suits your fancy. In addition, I'll be offering exclusive looks behind the songs, telling stories about what the songs are about, looking at my favorite tracks from the recording process, and providing exclusive performances and remixes.

Why support me?
I write music to connect. I meet people all the time online who have heard they are going to be a parent to a kid with special needs and they're terrified. I wrote this album for them because I believe in the deep connection that comes from sharing our stories and the power that music has to help us navigate our emotions. My goal is to make minimum wage as a songwriter so that I can keep creating music that helps people through difficult seasons.

Social Media is fine, but I want a more personalized experience and tightly knit community to emerge from having people join in here on Patreon. I can't wait for all the fun ways we'll be able to interact and engage. Thank you in advance!