j e n | p i t c h . c o m

Amongst a vast and seemingly never-ending ocean of music in the world today, there are those forever making waves in a way that makes us wonder how music exists without them and then there are plenty of fish in the sea who would be better washed up on an abandoned shoreline. In music�s murky depths, there will always be money sharks whose appetites will be whetted by fame and fortune and consistently bait an audience with a large percentage of looks rather than talent. It seems the sheer miraculous act of creating music alone is not enough.

However, Poseidon has not totally abandoned us in the quest of true musical treasure. In Jakarta, �X� marked the spot with the arrival of Jen Pitch. Having been the youngest in her family for nine years, Jen entertained herself with music as she preferred to play alone rather than with her two older twin sisters. �It did get lonely,� Jen admits. �My sisters were always in their own little world and I felt like the third wheel. But I guess I should thank them because that was the reason why I became so interested in music.�
She soon displayed a gifted skill for the piano before the age of nine and consequently, this led to the young musician being enrolled at the prestigious Yayasan Pendidikan Musik. It was the place to be for classical music in Indonesia.

It was after seven years at the school, that Jen decided to leave. She was resentful that classical training forced her to sacrifice time with friends, family and also the freedom to create music in her own style. Nonetheless, Jen continued to exhibit a love for music largely motivated by her own father�s musical lifestyle as a bassist in rock �n� roll bands when he was younger. Her middle school music teacher motivated her continually and this led to her very first song at the age of 13.

A chance visit by a well-known UK folk band called �Show Of Hands� during one of her music classes ended with her performing her song in front of her year with them which lured her into the idea of performing songs in front of a crowd. �It was an amazing feeling. I had performed at various concerts and school productions before but to be up in front of everyone singing a song that I wrote myself and seeing how they were enjoying it really got me hooked.�

In a move to Australia, Jen began to embrace music once more but instead of the piano, she learnt the guitar. Jen had always wanted to play her father�s old guitar but never could and she decided that it was time for her to learn. It was a musical blend that was truly meant to be and within the year, she composed a number of songs, mainly about her faith as a Christian and her experiences in life.

During this time, Jen also enjoyed drawing which led to a passion for graphic arts. She decided to pursue multimedia at college, which, she realised months later, just wasn�t what she was looking for. �It took me a few years to realise that music was what I was born to do. I enrolled at another college to do a web design course and still felt completely unsatisfied. As much as I loved web and graphic design it just didn�t feel right. So, after months of wallowing in self pity, I knew that I had to muster up enough courage to tell my parents. It was the hardest thing I�ve ever had to do,� she comments.

Her sudden change of heart and mind may have been a surprise to her parents but her friends were not taken aback by this sudden realisation. "It seemed like everyone was expecting me to make a career out of music," Jen laughs. "I picked up my old yearbook this year and almost everyone mentioned the notion of seeing me performing. I just wish someone would have reminded me as soon as I left school so I wouldn't have gone through all of the confusion. It was great inspiration for songwriting though!"

When asked what she most wants from her music, Jen is quick to answer: she wants people to know first and foremost that not all songs have to be about love and relationships. �I want to write songs that everyone can relate to,� she says. �I�d rather write about my own fears and doubts about myself. Although love is something that everyone experiences, our own feelings of self worth are definitely a topic that hasn�t been explored enough. It leaves me with a lot of room to say whatever I want to say without being compared to other people.�

Inspired by the likes of Jars of Clay, Watermark, John Mayer and Jason Mraz, Jen describes her music as either pop/rock or acoustic/alternative, being mutable enough to slide into either genre. She rides on a crest of moods and follows her heart when it comes to writing her own material.

On her guitar there is an image of a mermaid, and much like the mythical creature, Jen�s music is all at once captivating, mesmerising and justly wonderful.

Welcome to the deep blue, the genuine essence of beautiful music.

- Les Burnham