I could probably make an endless list, but it's easiest to trace artists to different phases of my life. My parents introduced me to...
then in highshool it was...
then in college it was...
then a dear friend introduced me to ...
and most recently...
I'm inspired by life... happiness, heartache, friends, strangers, and always other musicians that I've been blessed to see live or know personally - the recent shortlist:
John Mayer, Gavin Degraw, KT Tunstall, Corinne Bailey Rae, John Legend, Amy Winehouse, James Morrison, Colbie Caillat, Brendan James, Cat Power, Cary Brothers, Erin McCarley, Eric Hutchinson, Regina Spector, Joshua Radin, Ingrid Michaelson, Sara BAreilles, Priscilla Ahn, Sarah Heathcoat, Todd Cary, Last Exit
Sounds Like
Another one i'll never get quite right. So send me a message and tell me. It's the fine line between who we learn from, and how it affects us. For now I'll just say...
So I figured, who better to write this than myself, cause I suppose I know me best. So here goes my moment of self-indulgent rambling...thank you for being interested, thank you for listening and thank you for taking the time to read my words.
Peace, love & good music,
Jen
As a kid, when I was alone in the house, I would sit at the piano in the dark and pretend I was under a solo spotlight playing to a hushed crowd that would erupt into thunderous applause as I finished the final notes of my song. I think at the time I would always play "Faithfully" by Journey. It just seemed super dramatic - lol. I guess I've always been a dreamer and a person who wears my emotions on my sleeve. My friends and family would probably have a long list of adjectives to describe me like "overly-dramatic, passionate, silly, stubborn, adventurous, independent, caring, ect,"... and I'm sure anyone that has met me and heard my laugh, can forever identify me by it - it's obnoxiously loud and crazy. I think I just try to bring my most honest self and probably a lot of those qualities to my songs and particularly my live shows. I know everyone likes to try and pin point similarities in style when describing an artist and most people ask what kind of music I do... Well, I've gotten comparisons to newer artists like Vanessa Carlton, Sara Bareilles, Fiona Apple, and Gavin Degraw as well as comparisons to Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sheryl Crow...all of which I'm truly, truly honored to be compared to. I suppose every artist subconsciously takes on elements of those who they admire, but I think I just sound like me and half the time I don't know what the definition of that is...it just is. I can play the guitar but you'll usually find me on piano and I sing and write from my soul, so I guess that means I'm soulful - lol.
I began playing piano at the age of four and taking ballet soon after. I grew up on my parents music mix - Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand, Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Steve Miller Band, The Beatles, The Police, Aerosmith, Chicago, Journey, AC/DC and honestly really didn't like singing in front of people unless I could hide behind the piano. It always seemed like my little safety net...that is until I was forced to come out from behind the piano and "perform" when I was at college earning a music theatre degree. It was during that time that I began to realize that singing was becoming my biggest passion. I listened to everything I hadn't before... Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Sam Cooke, Elton John, Nina Simone, countless others, all while studying classical and broadway music.
When I got out of school I began doing regional music theatre work, but found myself wanting to head to NYC. Within a couple months of being there, I was hired by Royal Caribbean Cruise lines to be a headlining vocalist. It was pretty insane being able to sail around the world, meet new people and also perform to houses of 1000 or more. After a few contracts I made the move to Princess Cruises. Between my adventures at sea (which I've sworn one day to write a book about!... kinda blows The Hills outta the water;) I would usually head back to the NYC...wondering if broadway was what I was supposed to be doing. At the time, it seemed to be the direction my career was accidentally taking even though I had always dreamed of doing my own material.
So I really began writing mostly out of frustration - trying to figure out what in the hell I should be doing with my life, tryin' to make sense of the few too many relationships gone wrong, and tryin' to figure out where I wanted to be. I never really thought writing songs was a serious option because it wasn't something I had been taught. I had no idea where to begin, but I just started writing what was bottled up...my own therapy sessions I guess. My amazing family and friends have been there every step of the way encouraging me to do my thing and I'm so blessed to have them behind me.
My first effort at recording was done with a very talented Canadian sound engineer and one of my best friends, Clint Boire. Together with several friends we recorded 12 tracks live and it was officially called "Lost Along the Way." We had a great time recording and it was such an awesome start - kind of an attempt at finding "my sound" and figuring out how to go about things. Not sure if I answered I either of those questions, but it was fun. Those tracks were predominantly guitar based cause that's what I was writing on while I was travelling. In the summer of 2006, that indie album was spun on almost 200 college radio stations in North America. I was stunned. So I kept at it.
In March of 2007 I relocated to LA and almost immediately began work on my "Unpredictable" EP with producer Jeffery David. I'm very proud of the work we did and the EP has gotten some beautiful reviews and has attracted a variety of label attention - none of which I've signed with yet. I've met so many wonderful people who continue to work with me on this journey and I've had the opportunity to play at a ton of amazing venues. I'm continually amazed and very grateful for the outpouring of support and my wish is that I'll be able to continue living out my childhood daydreams for a long time.
Happy New Year! I BELIEVE in you and in all good things, I also trust that 2008 has wonderful things in store for you! Thanks again for your friendship... you are phenominal and a inspirational blessing to me! Have a amazing and adventurous new year!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be Well! Kate Take a moment and check out Tim's music... Check Out Tim's Page! ..
