Jessica Mai

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Jessica Mai
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Birth nameJessica Mailhot
Born (1990-08-23) August 23, 1990 (age 35)
Langley, British Columbia, Canada
OriginSandspit, Haida Gwaii, Canada
GenresPixie-pop, indie pop, synth-pop, children’s music
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, composer, arts educator
Years active2013–present
LabelsIndependent (Tiny Planet)
Associated actsCharlotte Diamond, Will Stroet
Websitewww.jessicamaiartist.com

Jessica Mai (born 23 August 1990) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, composer and arts educator.[1] She releases synth-driven pop for adults and children’s music under the persona Penny Pom Pom.[2] Her album Believe in Your Magic (as Penny Pom Pom) was nominated for Children’s Album of the Year at the 17th Canadian Folk Music Awards.[3][4] She has been covered by regional and national outlets including Georgia Straight, Global News, Tri-City News, Nanaimo News Bulletin, Coast Reporter, Burnaby Now, New West Record, and Penticton Western News in relation to festival and concert appearances across British Columbia.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

Early life

Mai grew up in Langley, British Columbia, and began writing songs in her teens. After studying visual arts and pedagogy she became a full-time independent artist in her early twenties.[1]

Career

Jet Tangerine (2013–2015)

Mai’s debut EP, Real Life, was self-released on 14 February 2013 under the name Jet Tangerine.[14] It drew positive notice from the SEV Network, which called it “near-perfect indie pop.”[15] She later expanded the act into a live band, Jet + The Art Engine, touring small venues around Vancouver.

Jessica Barbour (2015–2018)

While based in Glasgow she released the album Oh My Days (1 August 2016) under her married name Jessica Barbour.[16] Earlier, as a Langley singer-songwriter, she had reached the finals/semi-finals of local contests and was profiled by community newspapers.[17][18]

Penny Pom Pom (2019–present)

In 2019 Mai launched Penny Pom Pom, a multimedia children’s project combining music, storytelling and visual art. Her debut Believe in Your Magic (2020) earned a nomination for Children’s Album of the Year at the 17th Canadian Folk Music Awards.[3][4] Everything Is Magic! (1 October 2022) features guest appearances by Charlotte Diamond and Will Stroet.[19]

Penny Pom Pom has been programmed widely at B.C. festivals and civic events. Georgia Straight highlighted her inclusion in Festival Coquitlam’s Teddy Bear Picnic programming during the 2021 virtual edition,[5] while Global News and Vancouver Is Awesome previewed subsequent in-person lineups naming Penny Pom Pom specifically.[6][2] Tri-City News and Burnaby Now covered further summer programming in Port Coquitlam that year, describing the act and crediting Mai as creator/performer.[7][10] Nanaimo News Bulletin reported on Penny Pom Pom’s appearances in TheatreOne’s Just Kidding series (2022, 2024),[20][8] and Coast Reporter featured the project as part of Family Literacy Day programming on the Sunshine Coast, noting “Jessica Mai is the face and voice behind Penny Pom Pom.”[9]

In 2025, regional outlets Penticton Western News and Castanet announced Penny Pom Pom on the artist lineup for the province’s Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest,[12][13] alongside the festival’s own program materials.[21]

Return as Jessica Mai (2023–present)

Mai resumed adult-oriented pop with the single “The Universe in Her Hair” (16 June 2023), followed by “Fly” (1 January 2024) and “Cool Kids” (1 December 2024).[22][23] Her first full-length under her birth name, Jessica Mai Covers Joni Mitchell (31 March 2025), presents acoustic renditions of Mitchell classics.[24]

Musical style and influences

Mai has described her adult work as “pixie-pop,” pairing bright synth melodies with introspective lyrics; performances under Penny Pom Pom incorporate costumes, puppetry and interactive storytelling for young audiences.[25][8]

Live performances

Beyond regular touring in B.C., Mai has appeared at the Edge of the World Music Festival (Tlell),[26] Port Coquitlam’s Canada Day main program,[7] Music in the Park (Port Coquitlam),[10] Coquitlam’s Teddy Bear Picnic,[2][6] and Vancouver’s Chinatown Festival children’s theatre (2025).[27] She has also performed at community Canada Day and summer concert stages in Langley and New Westminster reported by local media.[18][11]

Discography

[14] [3] [19] [24]

Year Title Artist Notes Ref.
2016 Oh My Days Jessica Barbour Self-released; recorded in Glasgow [16]
2020 Believe in Your Magic Penny Pom Pom CFMA-nominated children’s album [3]
2022 Everything Is Magic! Penny Pom Pom Includes Charlotte Diamond & Will Stroet [19]
2025 Jessica Mai Covers Joni Mitchell Jessica Mai Acoustic tribute album [24]

EPs and notable singles

  • Real Life EP (2013) – Jet Tangerine.[14]
  • “The Universe in Her Hair” (2023).[28]
  • “Fly” (2024).[23]
  • “Cool Kids” (2024).[23]

Books

  • Penny Pom Pom and the Search for Inspiration (2023).[29]
  • A Hug from Mother Earth (2024).[30]

Awards

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2022 Canadian Folk Music Awards Children’s Album of the Year Believe in Your Magic Nominated [3][4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Jessica Mai on art, music and life in Sandspit". Haida Gwaii News. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "A popular Coquitlam parade full of teddy bears is making its four-year return". Vancouver Is Awesome. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 LaPierre, Megan (28 September 2021). "Canadian Folk Music Awards Announce 2022 Nominees". Exclaim!. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Kitching, Heather (2 April 2022). "The Canadian Folk Music Awards 2022 – winners and highlights". Roots Music Canada. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Festival Coquitlam presents top local children's entertainers in virtual Teddy Bear Picnic". Georgia Straight. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Teddy Bear Picnic". Global News. 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "What's happening for Canada Day 2023 in Port Coquitlam". Tri-City News. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Just Kidding: Penny Pom Pom brings children's music to Nanaimo". Nanaimo News Bulletin. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Family Literacy Day celebrations on the Coast". Coast Reporter. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Music in the Park returns to Port Coquitlam with soul". Burnaby Now. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "The week ahead in New West: What's up Aug. 28 to Sept. 3". New West Record. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Penticton's Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest bigger than ever as it marks 5th year". Penticton Western News. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest announces lineup for 2025 Penticton festival". Castanet. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Real Life EP". Bandcamp. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  15. ↑ "Jet Tangerine: High-Flying Indie Pop". SEV Network. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Oh My Days". Bandcamp. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  17. ↑ "Langley singer keeps creating through sickness". Aldergrove Star. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Langley's Sounds of Summer final set for Aug. 15". Langley Advance Times. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 "Everything Is Magic!". Bandcamp. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  20. ↑ "Just Kidding series returns to delight local kids". Nanaimo News Bulletin. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  21. ↑ "Penny Pom-Pom – HaHaHa Penticton Kidzfest". Ha Ha Ha Kidzfest (official). Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  22. ↑ "The Universe in Her Hair – Single". Apple Music. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 "Jessica Mai – Singles". Apple Music. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "Jessica Mai Covers Joni Mitchell". Apple Music. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  25. ↑ "Artist profile – Haida Gwaii Coffeehouse". Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  26. ↑ "Edge of the World 2024 – Main Stage Schedule". EdgeFestival.ca. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  27. ↑ "Vancouver Chinatown Festival 2025". Vancouver Chinatown BIA. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  28. ↑ "The Universe in Her Hair – Single". Apple Music. 16 Jun 2023. Retrieved 25 Apr 2025.
  29. ↑ "Penny Pom Pom – Creative BC grant announcement". Creative BC. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  30. ↑ "Penny Pom Pom – Creative BC grant announcement". Creative BC. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2025.

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