Jenn Em Interview
On The Harsh Realities of the Music Business: I grew up with this vision of being a superstar, being a pop star, in my mind, I always wanted to be this famous singer; I wanted to be famous, and I moved to LA to be famous. I got into the music industry, and I got to see what it really was, and it was really kind of heart-breaking. Not only is the industry corrupt like a lot of people say, it's also not the most creative place to be, especially when you’re 17 and you’re getting scouted by major labels; they don’t really want to hear what you want to do. They see you as a product and want to market you as a product. I think that was the most difficult thing for me deciding what kind of artist I wanted to be for quote on quote “fame,” and I think that was something I struggled with for a long time. I think the reason why I am finally feeling like I’m getting a taste of success is because I managed to tune all of that out and sort of make the music I want to make, tell the story I wanted to tell instead of the story someone else wanted me to tell.
On Influences: I’m the type of person that go through musical phases. I'm very much influenced by the people I surround myself with, and at different points in my life, connected with people who listen to different kinds of music. Growing up, I was living in this strict environment, listening to all classical music, so I think the root of my love for music comes from that. I think that is very present in my sound today, because even though it’s developed, and I listen to a lot of hip-hop music, rap, jazz, and soul, it all started there, so you can hear all of that in the production element of the song. But then again, in middle school, I listened to a lot of punk bands, punk rock, and my older sister went off to college, and she came back with all of the hippie music and that I think that was a turning point for me to listen to classic rock. Jimi Hendrix was a huge influence; Music during the 60’s and 70’s was so influential on society and not only in pop culture but in the world. I think that was something to learn about that was moving for me in terms of how powerful music really can be, and not to mention, the vocalists were incredible. When I moved to LA, and I started doing it more professionally, I started listening more, that’s when I got into old blues and soul like the power vocalists Etta James, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald. See, I have a lot of different musical influences, but I think most of it comes from the older generation and trying to keep current by hearing what’s on pop radio and what’s playing now; trying to keep that fresh side, and add some elements to what is new.
On Life Without Music: I don’t know, I think about that a lot, because it’s not always a for sure thing, and God forbid something would happen, and I couldn’t sing anymore; I can’t really imagine a life without music. I think even if God forbid something happens, and I couldn’t sing, I would still find a way to be involved, whether it would be developing other artists or just writing on instruments. I can’t really imagine a life where I wouldn’t be doing this.
On The Upcoming EP: Basically, after I wrote "Jail Keeper," I had been talking to a label that was trying to sign me to a development deal. They put me with a producer, and they had me cut cheesy cookie cutter pop records and during one of those sessions with the producer, and I said, 'hey you should really hear this song I wrote,' and I played them "Jail Keeper," and they stopped everything they were doing. They were like 'why are we cutting these records when you are a good writer?' And long story short, with my lawyer parents, I got the contract from that label, which a little bit shady, and the label didn’t have the best reputation, so I ended up not signing with them, but the producer they connected me with reached out to me after the fact like, 'hey, I know you’re not working with this label, and you don’t really have a lot of money, but I think you really have something here'. We produced that song and we had this amazing creative energy. When I had the budget, once I signed with my independent label, I started recording more regularly; I didn’t want to get in the studio with anyone else. So we basically just locked in and I managed to tell this musical story of my journey, and where I'm from through records. It’s classically influenced, all of the records have their own place on the EP; it’s meant to be listened to in a certain order, all of the songs kind of pull together to tell a story. In my mind, all of the videos are pieces of the same story. But, yeah, all of the writing is done, just tweaks to be made, we’re not really sure if we’re going to release it as an album or EP, but its 10 songs. And yes, I am excited to put it out. Releasing "Jail Keeper" was a little crazy for me, because I was finally able to turn that page in my life that I couldn’t do before, so I think being able to release this album will be rewarding in that sense.
Transcribed by Dominique Carson
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
