An Interview With Jennifer Juliette
Jennifer Juliette recently released a refreshingly beautiful EP that boasts a stripped down but cinematic style of ballads that feel warm and passionate.
The Anchor EP is made up of 4 songs that when trung together feel almost like a concept album of sorts.
They are personal, heartfelt, and honest. The songs all showcase the singer's absolutely gorgeous voice and knack for performing.
The songs come across almost like scenes in a play. The theatrical aspect is strong and really draws you more toward each song as it happens.
Piano accompanying angelic vocals are played with a gracefulness and soft touch that really gives the songs an alive and breathing aspect.
Sting elements and percussion wash into the songs as they build into fruition and whisk you away into her dream-like world.
These songs are orchestral and lush.
One of our favorites is a single called "Small Voice" which really stands as a testament as to what to expect from this record.
A powerful and moving single with a soundscape that swims around you and lets you float along through the emotionally driven song.
This is what the EP is like. It takes you with it. She takes you with her. When it's over you almost have to snap yourself out of it, and shake it off for a moment before coming back to reality.
With such an intense and beautiful EP we wanted to have a sit down and talk with the artist about where she is going and how this all began for her.
TSWS: Hey so let's begin with the "Small Voices" single. This track has a lot of passion and heart behind it. Where did this song come from?
Jennifer: I definitely poured my whole heart into this one. I was actually at a train station following a devastating event in my life: a miscarriage. There was a piano there and I just started writing and playing. About 90% of the song came to me there and then. The bridge was especially prominent in my head. I also think it’s really important to talk about female topics like this, let’s rid the world of any shame and start a conversation.
TSWS: This feels like a big production. Did it take long to record?
Jennifer: I already had the vocals and piano ready to go. I had a specific idea of the kind of drums and orchestral sounds I wanted. Arthur Pingrey and I discussed how to evolve the production into a full, breathtaking sound. When I first heard all the ideas together I cried. It was so beautiful and felt like a pinnacle to all the creativity and emotios brewing.
TSWS: When did music start playing such an important role in your life?
Jennifer: I realised since I was about five years old that all I wanted to do was play music. It really enveloped me, and I started to make up my own tunes and write words to them without even realising I was doing it. I ended up putting music about things like maths and sport in school, and now realise those things could have been helpful to me! Anyway, I am SO happy I pursued the path I did. I am I really emotional person, and music is my outlet for my mental health.
TSWS: Who are some of your strongest musical influences?
Jennifer: Enya is at the top of the list. She is an enigma and so, so talented. Her writing skills and influences from her roots are so apparent in everything she does.
Second comes Alexis Ffrench. His album Evolution is full of incredible melodies and the way he combines instruments is absolutely incredible. Every time I play Tomorrow Song I imagine a new emotional scenario. I really recommend listening to that one.
Lindsey Stirling the violinist is a performing whirlwind. She can dance, sing and play violin like a dream and she is so charismatic. Her music reminds me of the kind of medieval style I adore.
TSWS: What will be next for you as an artist?
Jennifer: Next for me is bringing more Celtic influence into my songs while trying new styles. I think there’s a real niche in bringing my old Welsh roots into modern music and drums. I also know no other way to write, it’s a part of me and always will be. I have started writing a song about my Home and it’s almost like a poem put to ancient music. I also intend to bring more mental health topics to my work.
TSWS: Are you planning any videos for this single or others?
Jennifer: I am planning more videos next year for sure. I have recently recorded a few small cover videos at home (one of them covering my own song acoustically). I want to make sure I have all the pieces together before rushing into production. I want my work to be complete and high quality.
TSWS: Will there be more releases this year?
Jennifer: I am mulling over it. I have something ready to go…
TSWS: What are some of the things that inspire you to write?
Jennifer: Big emotional experiences. A particularly beautiful scene from home or holiday. The warmth in my heart from feeling complete by things my children do and see. But it has to be an extreme for me, I cannot write from nothing.
TSWS: Do you think you'll be performing live anytime soon?
Jennifer: I have a show in Prague on the 13th September and I am so excited about it. Tickets just went on sale. Prague is a place that will always have my heart and I am so lucky to have family there. My children are half Czech. It’s also a beautiful language and I intend to record in it at some point.
TSWS: How has the whole pandemic affected you as an artist?
Jennifer: It brought me so much closer to my work and what is important to me. Social engagements were cleared from the calendar and I suddenly had this huge stretch of free time to think about what I wanted in life. I also wanted to show the children that they can pursue their passions from home. With studios closed, I had to just get on with it and record at home. I am lucky to have a baby grand piano at home that has been used daily since
Corona began.
TSWS: Who are you listening to right now?
Jennifer: Right now I have Shatter Me by Lindsey Stirling playing on the way to the gym. Later it’ll be Columns - my own song!
TSWS: Would you say you use music as an emotional outlet?
Jennifer: Every single day. There’s no emotion in the world that can’t be conveyed through song. Write your pain - no matter how bad you think it might be! I promise something beautiful will come of it.
TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?
Jennifer: To relax and take a break for your own well being when you need it. You need to take care of yourself before you can heal anyone else.
Thank you for your time.
