Joanna What sparked your interest in pursuing a career in music initially? Was there a specific moment
or experience that fueled your passion?
I have been involved in music since I was born! My Father is a singer, songwriter and piano player, and he got us singing right out of the gate. I wrote my first song around the age of 3 and started performing at 6. Growing up, music was always an integral part of my life… So much so, that it was never something that I considered as a career until I was around 19 years old and started my first band.
During this process I recognized that the only thing standing between me and a career in music was a cultural belief that the arts are meant to be a hobby, not a profession. I actively worked to undo this belief, fired up my determination and ambition, and went all in. This journey has propelled me to where I am now.
Could you characterize your musical style and the genre(s) you associate with? Are there
specific artists or musicians who have played a significant role in shaping your sound?
I would broadly call my style “Americana Grunge,” which is not a genre I’ve really heard before, but encompasses the raspy rocker vibe, alongside the singer-songwriter folky side of my music.
I have some different bands and different styles I perform and record with… from rock, to jazz, to folk. But all have my same style at the core of it, the instrumentation just changes, allowing me to sing differently and express different sides of my musicality.
There aren’t any particular artists that have shaped my sound, as I have never really listened to much music, as odd as that is to hear. I have always listened to more podcasts or audio books, and written my own music. This has allowed me to organically discover and cultivate my own original sound, without trying to impersonate anyone else.
Share with us the inspiration behind your most recent single. What triggered the creative
process for this specific piece?
My most recent single released was a song called One More Time Around. I wrote this song for myself on my birthday a couple of years ago. I was reflecting on the prior year and all the ways that I had grown. The year and journey that I was writing about was one that took me to National Television, which was an intensely new experience.
During the pandemic, I virtually auditioned and made it onto NBC’s The Voice, securing a spot on Team Kelly Clarkson. This was a really fun adventure to be a part of, and I was so happy to be looking back to see how I had grown throughout the process.
In what way do you anticipate your latest song resonating with your existing fan base and
attracting new listeners? What message or emotions do you aim for listeners to glean from the song?
Like most of my music, this song is authentic and self-reflective. I try to be as vulnerable as possible when writing my music and I think this allows for the tunes to connect with people on a deeper level… To make them more comfortable with feeling and expressing their own feelings, and to not feel so alone in them.
The song is a journey itself, painting a picture of ambition and desire, and all the signs and symbols that helped me along the day. I want people to feel the power of new experiences, and the vulnerability of being broken open within those experiences.
“How ‘bout a song for one more time around the sun, I’ve come so far on a journey just begun. I’ve taken down my no trespassing sign, and learned that all good things worth having they take time… and patience, love and care and freedom, and trust in the design… Most of all, that it’s ok to not be fine.”
It’s ok to not be fine. It’s ok to be exactly who you are, feeling exactly what you’re feeling. It’s all a part of the journey and the process of life.
How does this track contribute to the overarching narrative or theme of your upcoming album or project?
The song One More Time Around was a part of my newest album, Back to Me. The entire album embodies the transformative journey of healing and the rawness of moving through our emotions. Each song is inspired by different experiences that I had, while all under the umbrella of authenticity and self-reflection.
Maintaining creativity and motivation can be challenging. Do you have any rituals or habits that you find instrumental in sustaining your artistic drive?
Creativity isn’t linear, it’s more of a spiral. You’re not always going to feel like writing a new song, so following your feelings and your natural rhythm is important. Each song is unique and comes to life in its own way. The more you get to know your own natural artistic rhythms, the more you can recognize the feeling of when a song wants to be born.
When I’m not actively creating, these are the times when I am doing all of the other leg-work that is required for a music career. Social media, websites, booking, managing, promoting, interviews, etc. I treat this career like any other job, but with less rigidity. Although I am a very motived and ambitious individual, I don’t have a set schedule, I follow the eb and flow of my energy to move between business and creativity.
As busy as I may be, I try to spend time every day in nature without my devices. I will often take my dog to the beach and just walk or do some journaling. It is important to unplug and have some time to reflect and quiet the mind. Spending time outdoors really helps to regroup and regather motivation, while recharging those batteries. Some form of meditation is extremely important to integrate into your daily life to help bring harmony to any career!
Do you have any upcoming projects or releases that you’re particularly enthusiastic about? Can you offer any teasers or details?
This year I am focusing on acoustic recordings, covers and originals, that replicate more of the live performance singer-songwriter style. Less polished, and more raw. Less instrumentation, and more focus on vocals.
The first release will be a cover by Dani and Lizzy called, Dancing in the Sky. This is a beautiful song that I recorded for some family and friends for the holidays who listen to this song often to help with their grieving. I thought it would be a good song to release for everyone to listen to who could be missing someone.
Throughout this year I will be trickle-releasing acoustic songs, and I am really excited about that. I have so many new songs that I have written and I am itching to share them with you! So instead of releasing one big album, I want to give you new music all year long.
