An Interview With Natalie Jean
Natalie Jean recently released her latest single "Hooked" and its airy and smooth R&B pop feel hits hard and leaves you hunting for more from this sensational songwriter.
"Hooked" is her latest in a string of single releases throughout 2020 and even though each track has its own flavor, Natalie keeps the consistency with her powerfully soulful vocal style.
TSWS: Tell us about rockin' the NASHVILLE SIGN BILLBOARD recently! How does it feel to have reached this level of success?
Natalie: The Nashville Sign Billboard is a very exciting time in my life. To be up there for all to see is awesome. Especially as a black woman breaking into the Americana genre, they can't help but see me now. I feel as though all of my hard work is paying off. As an independent artist, you have to find so many ways to be seen and heard. The billboard makes a huge statement. Breaking Down Barriers!!
TSWS: Your sound is very modern as well as folk driven. Tell us about your genre as you see it!
Natalie: I like to change things up quite a bit. I like to do the unexpected. Every time you attend a music conference, they tell you that they want to see something different. I try to stand out and be a little bit more versatile. I love Americana/Folk. This genre really allows you to tell your story in so many different ways. It has allowed me to sing and write on so many different social issues that are impacting the world. It allows me to speak my truth on so many different levels.
TSWS: Where do you go to get into your writing mode?
Natalie: I usually write in my bedroom. But I always come up with ideas in the shower. I would love to invent a gadget that is water-resistant so that I could remember some of my famous shower hits.
TSWS: Please share more about your recording and production process.
Natalie: I will think about a theme. First, I write the chorus and then I work around that. As for the melody, I usually sing something into my phone. When I meet up with my music producer, Alexi Von Guggenberg, I tell him the vibe that I want and the instruments.
TSWS: We hear you are a member of the Recording Academy. Please share more about that with our readers.
Natalie: I am a Voting Member of the Recording Academy. Every year, we are allowed to submit our music to see if it can be placed on the first round Grammy ballot. There are 86 categories. We are allowed to vote in 15 of the main categories. But are allowed to vote in all of the general categories, such as Record of The Year, Song of The Year, Best New Artist, and Album of The Year. I get hundreds of albums and singles to listen to. It takes a lot of work, time, and energy. We only have a two week period to submit all of our entries. You can only submit five artists per category, except for the general categories. Some of those have increased.
TSWS: What is the most exciting thing you are looking forward to in 2021?
Natalie: I am looking forward to the pandemic being over. Also, being able to perform and to record new music.
TSWS: Where do our readers stay in touch with you?
https://www.instagram.com/
https://open.spotify.com/
Check out Natalie Jean HERE
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