Jakki wISE
Artist Bio
Jakki and the Pink Smudge, colloquially known as Smudge, is an indie rock outfit from Portland, Oregon. Their sound has been described as indie-punk-funk, dreamy-fuzz-rock, and peachy-pop-rock; a growing pile of hyphens they've decided not to interfere with. Ultimately, they're informed by the intent of just making good music and surrounding themselves with good people who like it too. For those who have yet to be smudged, you can hear flashes of their inspirations from the gritty twang of Wednesday, the lyrical prowess of This Is Lorelei, and the suppleness of Slow Pulp, filtered through a voice, style, and stickiness that is entirely our own. Side effects of Smudging may vary.
Smudge performances were built on a nomadic DIY landscape beginning in 2022. What started as a project by Jakki Wise soon began hitching rides around the country with bands and musicians who wanted to learn the songs and bring them to life onstage; a practice that became known as “smudging.” The lineup changed from city to city, meaning no two shows were quite the same and everyone involved had to maintain a healthy relationship with uncertainty. Songs grew new limbs, arrangements bent in unexpected directions, and each combination of musicians left a little something behind. What began partly out of necessity became one of the defining features of Smudge: experimentation, collaboration, and the understanding that a song doesn’t have to sit still just because it’s technically finished.
In 2023, Smudge entered a new chapter and did something rather uncharacteristic: settled down. Oliver Lester joined on bass, and the revolving door began revolving considerably less. With their debut album released in May 2025, Smudge has since grown into a solidified live band featuring Jakki Wise on vocals and guitar, Oliver Lester on bass, Jasper Gill on drums, and Jude Abare on synth. The cast may no longer change every night, but the original spirit of smudging remains intact: songs still stretch, shows still get weird, and Jakki still finds their way onto someone’s shoulders for “Hugh Glue," a tradition with unclear origins and no apparent plans to stop. Predictability is best enjoyed in moderation.
Press
Made on mmm