Jacquie Roar – Learn About Love

By starrymag | July 30, 2024

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) It’s a good mash up of classic rock, modern rock, classic country and modern country. Pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Heavy Rock/Country.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I have many inspirations. Alice In Chains, Gretchen Wilson, Heart, Carrie Underwood, Adele, Lainey [Wilson], Stevie Nicks…. I could go on and on and on. I LIVE for music. All kinds.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Learn About Love.”

A) It’s kind of funny actually. It was a song my producer pitched to me and management. I didn’t want to do it. Not because I didn’t like the song, but because it wasn’t really “me.” It was kind of pop country and I didn’t want to shake it up so quickly coming out of the gate as a solo artist. I also didn’t like the idea of singing a song I didn’t have any help in writing. I was really closed minded at that time but my producer, Jason Mater, called me and talked me into it. He was like “we will make it a Jacquie song with heavier guitar and heavy drums! You’ll love it!” And he was right. After we pumped the Jacquie-isms into the composition, it felt like me. I really enjoy singing this song even though I didn’t write it. Jaden Michaels, Molly Reed and Jason Mater did a great job writing this. It’s almost like they wrote it from my heart.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) Everyone has had their heart broken. Everyone has had to go through some crappy situations to learn what you do or don’t want in a relationship. The only way to know you’re in a good one is to know you were in a bad one.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The idea of the music video was to start off as if everything was perfect somewhat following the idea behind the first verse like “wouldn’t it be nice if?” But we all know life isn’t perfect and I am not a pretty little young thing, so I wanted to show the raw rocker I am and also show that love isn’t pretty. It looks like a party because love can be celebrated…. And so can breakups 😂

Q) “Learn About Love” was written by Jaden Michaels, Molly Reed and Jason Mater. What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I write all kinds of ways. Sometimes I record melodies on my phone that come to me in the middle of the night. I’ll send them to Jason, my producer, and then his brain starts ticking, too. I write pretty quickly when someone has a little guitar lick to build a melody off of. Writing a song can happen in fifteen minutes or sometimes it could take a couple hours. It just depends on who is in the room with me and what topic we are trying to focus on.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) My producer, Jason Mater, and I are a team. We openly communicate and try every idea we have together. I also really don’t need to hover over him. He has incredible ideas that manifest quickly into solid compositions. I love seeing and hearing how his brain works in real time. He knows what my style is and if I don’t understand where he is going with something, he is great at finding a way to explain it to me so we can put it on paper. For example, “Medicine Man” was a song I wrote and when I came to him with it, he loved it, although we had to turn the bridge into the chorus and the chorus into the bridge. I had a hard time letting my song change, but once he showed me exactly what he meant and showed me great patience, it absolutely made sense. He earned my trust and respect. I would say I’m pretty hands on, but I also don’t really need to be with the kind of relationship I have with Jason. He just gets me.

Q) Is this a prelude to a full album or EP coming in the near future?

A) I would love to say I’m putting out a whole EP or album but the music industry has changed. It’s not about albums. It’s about frequently putting out singles. At this point I am trying to put a new single out every two months. We’ll see what catches fire. If something does and things get crazy, THEN you’ll get a full album with a theme.

Q) We loved you on “The Voice.” What advice did country music icon Reba McEntire offer that you took to heart?

A) Being on “The Voice” was the best experience I could have ever asked for. Reba is the sweetest even after the show. We still touch base and she responds when I ask her for some advice. The best advice she gave me though was to stand still more. I have always been a mover and shaker on stage, but she taught me that standing still is just as powerful. She changed my strange presence and I gotta tell you, that’s the one thing I get compliments on now is how much stronger my stage presence has gotten.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) I love every stage, big or small. I love every venue. They all treat me well. The people are all so kind, supportive and show me so much love. I can’t really name a favorite.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Chris Stapleton hands down.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) My goodness there are so many incredible artists out there right now. Lainey [Wilson], Jellyroll, Hardy, Tyler Childers… I’m listening to all of them.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) Social media is a Catch 22. I love to keep in contact with my followers. They turn into fans and friends. I have a couple special fans that I’ve really catered to because I just grow so close to them. I also dislike that social media has become so important to artists’ futures in the music industry. I wish it was based on talent and drive and not algorithms and luck.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you. Just thank you so much.