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 always had a strong connection to music. Over the years, I have had many experiences practicing and performing live, recording in the studio, and teaching voice lessons. I feel a vivaciousness about life when I’m singing. It’s about being as present in the moment as I possibly can be, focusing on tone and resonance, breath control, and the rhythm at play.
Could you characterize your musical style and the genre(s) you associate with?
Mark Hosler of Negativland referred to my music as “unclassifiable”, I love that! I’m making my best effort to create a unique sound that draws from my music knowledge and experience of listening and participating in music for so many years, and in so many places. My songs have been described as avant pop, ambient pop, and dreamy. I’ll leave the final say up to the listener.
In addition to my albums The Ride and Amphora (Lily Taylor Music) which was produced by Black Taffy, Alex Bhore, and myself and recorded at Elmwood Recording in Oak Cliff, I perform in an audio / visual, ambient noise act called LOCATIONS with video artist and educator Sean Miller, and I participate in the Dennis Gonzalez Legacy Band which celebrates the musical history and underground legacy of the late Oak Cliff based avant garde jazz trumpeter, composer, broadcaster, visual artist, poet, educator; Dennis Gonzalez, lead by his children Arron and Stefan Gonzalez. Being involved in different projects with different styles is important to me as an artist. Challenging myself artistically across genres is part of my development as a creative.
Are there specific artists or musicians who have played a significant role in shaping your sound?
I studied Contemporary Music at College of Santa Fe in New Mexico (2000-2004) under the guidance of David Dunn, Joan LaBarbara, Mirabai Daniels, Steven M Miller, Lewis Winn, Mark Clark, and Polly Tapia Ferber. The collective High Mayhem had a big festival every year that showcased many musicians who helped me shape my understanding of what music could be as an artform. Later in 2008, I started working with Karina Denike in San Francisco, CA on her original music with her band. Her album Under Glass has an amazing cast of musicians on it – all have influenced me in some way. More recently, I was able to take a workshop through the California Jazz Conservatory with Jay Clayton right before she retired, and back in DFW Metroplex, there are many local artists whom I find incredibly inspiring. Having worked as a local booking agent and hosting a free-form radio show, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with thousands of different musicians over the years, of all genres.
Share with us the inspiration behind your most recent single. What triggered the creative process for this specific piece?
I just released an album called AMPHORA, inspired by the ancient vessels that carried precious cargo, this album is a collection of songs from the dreamworld. I was inspired by the idea of a vessel as an object and as a metaphor. How artists channel and organize ideas, how we express and package them, how those ideas, sounds, and lines we create bend, morph, and sometimes break. I am the vessel, as well as the song.
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?
The song “Ever New” is a collaboration between musician and producer Black Taffy and myself. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about this track for its ambient quality and slow sense of drama. I hope listeners enjoy slowing down for a moment in time in this busy world.
How does this track contribute to the overarching narrative or theme of your upcoming album or
project?
Each song on the album, AMPHORA is a journey into a different world. “Ever New” is the first track on side B in LP and cassette format. At the midpoint of the album, there are still different stories, composition styles, and sonic landscapes to explore before the collection is complete.
Maintaining creativity and motivation can be challenging. Do you have any rituals or habits that
you find instrumental in sustaining your artistic drive?
I practice modal scales as vocal exercises, breath work, as well as improvising soundscapes using my equipment set-up that includes a keyboard, looping and delay pedal. Being able to relax and experiment with different sonic ideas is where my best material comes from. In more recent years, I have focused a lot of my attention on a healthy lifestyle of physical movement and nutrition, which I consider rituals in my daily day, so to speak, that help me be the best musician I can be.
Do you have any upcoming projects or releases that you’re particularly enthusiastic about? Can
you offer any teasers or details?
I have several projects in the works. I hope to be recording again soon! Stay posted by following me on social media. Thank you for this opportunity to talk about my music and reach new listeners.
