Biography

Born and raised in Ancaster, Ontario, Jen always felt a pull towards music. However, she struggled with stage fright and anxiety that kept her from jumping straight in. After high school, and coming to the States, she finally took the leap of faith into singing publically. After a year of facing her fears by singing to large groups, she knew there was no turning back, she had found her calling. She decided she wanted to put a band together, and make music her career. After moving with her family to Texas, the dream of starting a band became reality.

Jen met a fellow musician, Rob Slocumb, and the two instantly had a connection. It was a musical match made in heaven. They instantly clicked with similar ideas on songwriting, musical styles, and lifestyle choices. They began playing and writing songs together, and soon became “Martha’s Trouble”. The connection between Jen and Rob didn’t just end with band practice, the two quickly became best friends, and that friendship and musical connection turned into love. The two were engaged and married within a year – making Martha’s Trouble, and their music, their life together.

After taking the local Texas music scene by storm, they decided to take their show on the road. They were the definition of true DIY musicians; recording and releasing their own music and traveling around the country living in a van. They used their real life experiences to form them into the musical powerhouse they are today. With lyrics that are true to life experiences and songs that strike real emotions from listeners, Martha’s Trouble has garnered national acclaim – Features in major publications such as Billboard Magazine, USA Today, AOL Music, Performing Songwriter Magazine. TV and Film placements for CBS, Lifetime, and CTV. National radio airplay on Triple A & Folk formats including charting at #3 on XM Cafe’s Nude Music Reviews. Winners of Best American Album for the Just Plain Folk Awards.Their success brought them awards, such as “Billboard Magazine’s Top 10 Cover Songs of the Year” & Best Americana Album of the Year – Just Plain Folk Awards.

While living the life of traveling musicians, they got news of an amazing blessing; they were expecting their first child. Staying true to themselves and their music, they became a family that traveled throughout Canada and States, even touring overseas together. Though they loved their life on the road, and it suited their family perfectly, they soon were expecting their second child, and decided they wanted to create more roots somewhere. With Jen’s deep ties to her hometown in Southern Ontario, as well as all the cities throughout the country they had fallen in love with, they had many options of where to call home.

They chose to live in the small town of Opelika, Alabama. With family near by and the city being rebuilt to embody music and arts at the root of its culture; and they felt right at home in Opelika. As active players in the movement to reshape their community, they used their experiences from the road to bring Martha’s Trouble to the town, also bringing their unique vibe and talents along with them. With community, music, and living a love-filled, passionate lifestyle being the root of their belief system, the city of Opelika was proud to have them.

Jen and Rob took a small break from touring to focus on being full time parents, resulting in an album of lullabies dedicated to their children. As Jen’s family grew, so did her outlook of what it looked like to be an artist. What started as Jen and Rob playing music as Martha’s Trouble, evolved into a lifestyle that encompassed not just their love of music, but also Jen’s passion for motherhood, her quest to life an organic, healthy lifestyle, and her unique sense of style and love for fashion. Jen and Rob decided to use Jen’s maiden name to brand their new adventure. Referencing to Jen’s roots and all the areas she was passionate about, Jen Coates, the brand, was born.

Follow along with Jen and her family, as she tackles raising kids, cooking and choosing healthy, nutritious foods, dealing with personal challenges, and managing to stay true to her great sense of style, with fashion and beauty tips. With blog entries, pictures, music, and merchandise; Jen is excited to share her unconventional, sometimes hectic, yet always satisfying life with you. Jen is learning that life may not always be easy, or work out exactly like you plan, but with faith, love, and positivity, you can have the courage to fly.