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

We asked Jen to sit down for 15 minutes to answer some questions from you - the readers!

00.01 What do you love about music?

Well, I'll have to copy the writer of that movie 'Almost Famous' and say... "First of all, everything."
There are very few things that can actually bring people together. I personally think that love and music are the 2 things that bridge us together as human beings. You don't have to understand the words of a song to understand what the song is about. You don't have to understand the words to be moved by the melody. It is a universal language.

I once read somewhere that "music is the language of angels". Perhaps this is why I feel closest to God when I'm listening to music.

Music, to me, is the final ingredient in a chemical reaction. Whether the ingredient is used as fuel for a great night out or as background music to help you study is up to the mad scientist planning the experiment and the mood he or she is in. A word of warning though: Music has been known to be extremely contagious. Protective gear should be worn if music is extremely bad-ass. Don't forget to turn the gas off after the use of Bunsen burners, kids.

00.02 Tell us the story of how you started out in less than 3 lines.

Crikey. Ok then. Here goes: was born - discovered music - loved it - learned it - hated it - stopped learning it - loved it - ignored it during college - rediscovered it - loved it - living it.

00.03 How would you describe your music?

I honestly don't know. I've had people tell me my songs remind them of Alanis (no idea where that one came from but I'm definitely flattered!), Michelle Branch, Avril Levigne, Jennifer Knapp. I'd like to say Folk/Alternative, Acoustic-Alternative or Pop/Rock.. I have no idea. I don't really care what genre people put me under. Maybe we should stop making genres and just put everything under MUSIC. As long as albums are categorised alphabetically, consumers will find what they're looking for in CD shops. I don't even know the difference half the time.

00.04 How did your parents take the change from multimedia to music?

I think my parents have always known deep inside that I was going to do something artistic, whether it be in the music industry or through graphic/web design. I know they were worried though. So many musicians that are better than artists in the public eye are still struggling. It's such a cutthroat industry to be in. My dad used to be in a band and he knows just how hard it is. They've accepted my choice and know what music means to me. I think my parents were worried that I'd get nowhere with it. I think they still do. But that's understandable. They don't want to see me hurt.

00.05 And how do YOU feel about your parents taking the change?

Sometimes, I feel like they have their doubts. Not doubts in me, I don't think. Doubts in other people. The people that I'll have to deal with. Especially my dad. But like I said, he knows the industry. It was a little hard in the beginning. I had chosen a profession that would have made me financially secure (if I was good at it) and completely turned everything upside-down by choosing music. But things look better upside down if you ask me.

00.06 What would you say your music is all about?

ME! Hehe. But at the same time, it's about the people that listen to it, whoever they may be. Everyone has feelings of inadequacy and loneliness and we also have feelings about love and elation. I like to think that people can relate to the songs that I sing because I write about personal accounts of growing up and, at the same time, not growing up enough. John Mayer once said that his songs were what everyone has felt but have been too afraid to say. I like to think that my songs are like that too.

00.07 What are your goals as a singer/songwriter?

Good question! Firstly, I want to stop being such a chicken and start performing. I'm ok if I have a band playing with me but if I have to play all by myself, I freeze. And of course, the only way to cure this is to just get out there and play. I want to make an album and release it. I want people to buy it. I don't want to be famous; I'd rather be well-known. I want people to come and watch me play. I want to make a full-time career out of my music.
Then, I'd like to start up a little record label of some sort... maybe an online record label... not sure...

00.08 What inspires you to write?

Sometimes, the strangest things can give me an idea for a song or a lyric. I try to carry my notebook around with me 24/7 but my favourite pair of trousers don't have any blasted pockets in them. I've come up with some great lines for songs but, because there hasn't been anything around to write them down on, I've forgotten them. I have such a crap memory! I should invest in a Dictaphone thingy or whatever those things are called.

00.09 What was the very first CD you owned?

I think it was the very first Jars of Clay album. Pre-good-looking Dan. He made the right choice by cutting his hair! Although... that was also pre-married-with-children Dan... hmm...

00.10 What CD is in your CD player right now?

Ministry of Sound: Chillout Annual 2002 - My favourite songs on this compilation are "Star Catching Girl" by Brother Brown, and "Satellite" by BT. It's a great collection of songs to listen to when you're feeling very mellow.

00.11 What are your top 5 CDs of the moment?

Jars of Clay: self titled album - first CD I ever bought yet it still sounds new and fresh every single time I listen to it.
John Mayer: Heavier Things - It's very rare for me to find an album where every single song is excellent. This album happens to be one of them.
HED KANDI: Winter Chill 06.02 - I've been really into chillout lately and this is one of my favourite chillout compilations.
Jars of Clay: Furthermore - unreleased Jars songs? YAY!
Maroon 5: Songs For Jane - Very funky music. You can listen to it when you're chilling out, or if you're in a loud mood!

00.12 What album do you own that is hidden away somewhere because you're somewhat embarrassed to own it?

I can't really think of one right now. I don't think I'm really embarrassed about any of my CDs. I like to think that I have pretty eclectic tastes in ear candy... I have everything from 'NSync to PM Dawn to Jay-Z to Acoustic Alchemy to John Mayer to Eminem to Christina Aguilera to Lamb.

00.13 Any tips to other singer/songwriters out there?

Just one: don't stop writing music. I read a John Mayer interview once and this is how he put it: "...a big part of making it as a musician is to stop making excuses and start making music. If you don�t finish a single song because you think your stuff isn�t good enough, you�re not a songwriter. You�re not even a bad songwriter, which is better than being a bad excuse maker. Don�t wait for anyone else to give you a deal, a dollar, a break, a phone number � anything. Art is one of the only fields in which you can employ yourself today � right now � without asking anyone first. Build your universe yourself before you ask anyone else for permission."