Arend Lee Jessurun bears their tender heart through dreamy political folk songs and earnest spiritual ballads. Their music invites listeners to confront darkness as it offers them consolation.

Arend is nonbinary, autistic, disabled, and of Dutch-Surinamese-Sephardi descent. Their latest releases “Is That a Threat or a Promise?” and “Two Anti-War Songs” confront US imperialism and warmongering.

Arend has shared the stage with Lauren O’Connell, Ryan Cassata, and Abby Posner. They were an official showcase artist for Folk Alliance Region West 2023. Arend produces and mixes records in the LA independent songwriter scene. They have written articles for queer country outlet Rainbow Rodeo, anarcho-Christian zine Jesus Radicals, and National Catholic Reporter.

Arend grew up moving between the Sierra Nevada, the Caribbean, Florida, and the Central Valley of California. They began playing music on their grandfather’s clarinet at age 10 and took up guitar a year later. At 16, they won their first honor as Outstanding Jazz Soloist at a county jazz festival.

Arend went on to study classical voice and composition at California State University, Long Beach, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. They directed and played music at various churches before releasing their first single in 2019.

Arend lives in South Pasadena with their wife and collaborator, Jessica Gerhardt, and their cat Casper.