With her debut release as jen M, vocalist, songwriter and multidisciplinary artist Jennifer Milligan offers a striking re-interpretation of the jazz and blues standard "Why Don't You Do Right?" Featuring Grammy-nominated pianist Bobby Floyd alongside vocalist Lauren Tucker, G-Louis on gitjo, and The Governor on percussion, the recording transforms a familiar classic into an atmospheric meditation on struggle and human connection.
Rather than revisiting the song's traditional themes of wealth and material aspiration, jen M approached the piece from a contemporary perspective. Inspired by images of drafty city apartments, clanging radiators, and the quiet pressures of everyday survival, she sought to uncover a different emotional landscape within the song. The result is a performance that shifts the focus from glamour to grit while preserving the timeless tension at the heart of the lyrics.
The recording emerged organically during sessions for Lil' Red & The Rooster's acclaimed album 7. After the primary tracks had been completed, Milligan shared her vision with pianist Bobby Floyd. Looking for a sound that felt authentic to the atmosphere she imagined, Floyd uncovered an old upright piano hidden beneath tarps in the corner of the studio. Untouched for years, the instrument's wonderfully imperfect tuning became central to the recording's character.
Built upon the scratch of washboard, the pulse of bongos, Floyd's expressive piano and the distinctive twang of G-Louis's gitjo, the arrangement creates a spacious sonic environment that blurs the boundaries between jazz, blues, folk traditions and roots music. Rather than pursuing perfection, the ensemble embraced spontaneity and texture, allowing the music to evolve naturally in the room.
An equally important element of the recording is the vocal dialogue between Milligan and Lauren Tucker, an emerging artist who records under the name Images of Apollo. The two singers first met at a local coffeehouse in Westerville, Ohio, where Milligan immediately recognized a creative kinship. Their duet was captured in only two takes, with much of the phrasing and interplay arising instinctively in the moment.
The accompanying music video expands upon the recording's themes through a visual exploration of artistry and participation. Filmed at Java Central Café & Roaster in Westerville, Ohio, the video juxtaposes elegantly dressed patrons with working musicians, creating a subtle commentary on the relationship between artists and audiences. Vintage inspired imagery blends with smartphone-captured footage, reflecting both the changing ways we experience live performance and the enduring communal power of music.
Known internationally as one half of Lil' Red & The Rooster, Milligan has spent more than a decade exploring the intersection of blues tradition and contemporary storytelling. With "Why Don't You Do Right?", she takes another step in this evolution, demonstrating how a classic song can remain relevant when approached not as a museum piece, but as a living work open to reinterpretation.
"Why Don't You Do Right?" is available now on all major streaming platforms, accompanied by its official music video.
Jennifer Milligan (jen M) – vocals, washboard Lauren Tucker – vocals Bobby Floyd – piano G-Louis (Pascal Fouquet) – gitjo The Governor – percussion
Produced by Jennifer Milligan Recorded by Matt Hagberg at Vaughn Music Studio Mastered by Mark Abrams Released by Lil' Red Records
Rather than revisiting the song's traditional themes of wealth and material aspiration, jen M approached the piece from a contemporary perspective. Inspired by images of drafty city apartments, clanging radiators, and the quiet pressures of everyday survival, she sought to uncover a different emotional landscape within the song. The result is a performance that shifts the focus from glamour to grit while preserving the timeless tension at the heart of the lyrics.
The recording emerged organically during sessions for Lil' Red & The Rooster's acclaimed album 7. After the primary tracks had been completed, Milligan shared her vision with pianist Bobby Floyd. Looking for a sound that felt authentic to the atmosphere she imagined, Floyd uncovered an old upright piano hidden beneath tarps in the corner of the studio. Untouched for years, the instrument's wonderfully imperfect tuning became central to the recording's character.
Built upon the scratch of washboard, the pulse of bongos, Floyd's expressive piano and the distinctive twang of G-Louis's gitjo, the arrangement creates a spacious sonic environment that blurs the boundaries between jazz, blues, folk traditions and roots music. Rather than pursuing perfection, the ensemble embraced spontaneity and texture, allowing the music to evolve naturally in the room.
An equally important element of the recording is the vocal dialogue between Milligan and Lauren Tucker, an emerging artist who records under the name Images of Apollo. The two singers first met at a local coffeehouse in Westerville, Ohio, where Milligan immediately recognized a creative kinship. Their duet was captured in only two takes, with much of the phrasing and interplay arising instinctively in the moment.
The accompanying music video expands upon the recording's themes through a visual exploration of artistry and participation. Filmed at Java Central Café & Roaster in Westerville, Ohio, the video juxtaposes elegantly dressed patrons with working musicians, creating a subtle commentary on the relationship between artists and audiences. Vintage inspired imagery blends with smartphone-captured footage, reflecting both the changing ways we experience live performance and the enduring communal power of music.
Known internationally as one half of Lil' Red & The Rooster, Milligan has spent more than a decade exploring the intersection of blues tradition and contemporary storytelling. With "Why Don't You Do Right?", she takes another step in this evolution, demonstrating how a classic song can remain relevant when approached not as a museum piece, but as a living work open to reinterpretation.
"Why Don't You Do Right?" is available now on all major streaming platforms, accompanied by its official music video.
Jennifer Milligan (jen M) – vocals, washboard Lauren Tucker – vocals Bobby Floyd – piano G-Louis (Pascal Fouquet) – gitjo The Governor – percussion
Produced by Jennifer Milligan Recorded by Matt Hagberg at Vaughn Music Studio Mastered by Mark Abrams Released by Lil' Red Records
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