Hey
Jessi, how are you?
I'm doing well. Thanks for having me back for the interview.
It's been nearly two years since your
last interview with Music Promotions. What have you been
up to since then? I just finished my second album,
Rebirth, and am getting ready to start performing again.
Last week I had my first role in a movie. A few years ago,
I married my high school sweetheart - we met in our chorus
class. I've also been working full-time doing administrative
work at an engineering firm and recently finished a degree
in website design. I'm about to go back to school for a
business degree.
Your new album Rebirth is out now.
Do you feel your sound has matured since your first release?
I do. Apparently a person's voice doesn't fully mature until
they are in their 30's. My voice feels stronger now and
I have better control. Rebirth is an independent release,
and I recorded, produced and performed all of the songs
on the album. The album is mainly piano, vocals and a few
strings, which is vastly different from my first album.
Instead of pop/rock, my music is now more along the lines
of pop/folk with some blues stylizations. It was a little
intimidating being completely in control of the process,
but I think that I now have a better grasp over the style
of music that I need to be creating. It was a great learning
experience.
How long have you spent recording
Rebirth? A little bit over a year. I recorded the
album at home. My husband and I bought our first house earlier
this year, and we turned one of the walk-in closets into
the studio. Working full-time and going to school, it's
been more challenging to find time to work on music. Feels
great to have this album finished, though. I'm looking forward
to the opportunity to focus on live shows now.
Is Rebirth only available at your
live shows? The album will be available online at
DFJamsStore.com. It will also be available digitally through
iTunes and other MP3 stores.
Do you plan to release your album
outside the US? Anyone will be able to purchase the
album since it's online. I hope to officially release the
album outside the US, and am looking into what my options
are.
Which single will be released next
from Rebirth? You'll Rise Above. It's an inspirational
ballad about wanting someone that you love to be in a good
place in life. Watching someone that you're close to go
through bad experiences sucks, especially when there's usually
nothing that you can do about it. The main message is in
the chorus: "The night is long, the journey cold, but
keep holding on - you'll rise above."
Which
songs are your favourite to perform live?
Rebirth, Get Gone and Shopping Spree are a lot of fun to
perform. They all have a little bit of attitude, and Rebirth
and Get Gone have a blues element to them. I love the way
the blues songs lend themselves to improvisation.
What shows that you have lined up, are you most looking
forward to performing at? I'm just starting to book
some shows. One of the shows that I'm really looking forward
to is an outdoor festival. I love being outside and there's
something special about performing in front of people who
are relaxed and just enjoying life. Outdoor festivals have
a really cool atmosphere.
Did you write all the songs on Rebirth
your self? With the exception of a cover of Amazing
Grace, I wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the album.
It was actually something of a family project. My husband,
dad and aunt contributed lyrics to several songs. Each of
them are very talented and very different types of writers.
They all brought something new to the table.
Where do you find inspriation for
your music? Everywhere. There are so many interesting
things going on in the world - funny, sad, heroic, beautiful
- it's hard to run out of things to write about. And in
life in general . . . a lot of my lyrics are very introspective.
I was always really shy as a kid - still am a little - and
I was lonely quite a bit growing up, never felt like I fit
in. Some of the songs on Rebirth, like Afraid To Be Alive
and Prayer, are about this. Listening to other music, reading,
and watching movies/tv can also spark ideas.
What music are you listening to at the moment? The
White Stripes, Bush, Nirvana, Prince, Christina Aguilera
and Stevie Wonder.
Do you have any messages for your
fans? Thanks for your support and for believing in
me! If you would like to keep up with what's going on, you
can sign up for my newsletter at http://www.jessihamiltonmusic.com/lists/