Jennifer Alvarado – Catfish

By starrymag | November 28, 2022

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) The storytelling of a 90’s country artist with the angst of the Seattle grunge movement.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) My musical influences are all over the place.  Country music will always be what I call home.  Reba McEntire had a huge influence on my music and my work ethic.  I love storytellers and those with the ability to craft lyrics that stick with you – so Patty Griffin and Taylor Swift are huge influences.  I also grew up listening to early 90’s grunge and classic rock, so artists like Tom Petty, Nirvana, Alanis, etc., all can be heard in my music.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Catfish.”

A) This song is about someone trying to “catfish” their way into someone’s heart by pretending to be something they are not.

Q) Was this based on a true story by chance or maybe the TV show influenced you some?

A) I luckily do not have a personal “catfish” story.  The idea was loosely based on the pop culture term and TV show; however, I also like to fish and wanted to reference the actual catfish that make odd sounds trying to deter predators.

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

A) I think especially with social media today, everyone can be “whoever they want to be.”  It is easy to pretend you are this great person or have this glamorous life with the right angles and staged moments.

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

A) I actually have not released the video for this song yet. I hope to soon and it will definitely pull on the double meaning of “catfish.”

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I love lyrics, so nine times out of ten, I have a phrase or concept first.  The hook is usually what comes next, and I build the song around that.  I have written both with a melody already in my head and actually just straight lyrics that yeas later a melody comes to me.

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

A) A lot.  My first record, I was new to the process, so I told my producer the style and my likes and dislikes.  Now, I even help engineer the recording of the songs.  I generally have a very clear idea of what I want before I ever go into the studio and my producer really does listen and only steer me a different direction when we aren’t on the same page.

Q) We loved your EP Songbird. Will there be another EP or even a full album coming in the near future?

A) Yes.  Songbird: Part One came out in July on my birthday.  The second part will be out early 2023.  Because of the seriousness of the subject matter, I felt like the project needed to be presented in two parts.  Part One was the outline of a toxic relationship from start to finish.  Part Two is about the aftermath and rediscovering who you are.

 

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

A) I think because so much of my growth happened while being a worship leader, I will always have a connection to my home church.  Both the trials and the victories have made me who I am as an artist.  I also love playing a few local places that have really shown me support and made me feel like they value me.  I typically like more intimate venues, like the Listening Room, that allow you to tell your story and really connect with an audience.

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

A) There are so many writers and artists that I have immense respect for.  I think my biggest dreams would be collaborating with songwriters like Richard Marx or Patty Griffin. Both have written songs that evoke such raw emotion in me.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I’ve been listening to a lot of indie artists…that happen to also be my friends…lately.  Seeking Gravity is a great band…check out their song “Magic.”  I love Sasha Sloan’s lyricism currently.  Other than that, I listen to a lot of classic 90’s country and rock.

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

A) Even though social media can have its downfalls, it also has made connecting with fans and even other artists so much easier. I think that it’s important for fans to see that you are a real person and also grateful for their support. I never want someone to think I’m unapproachable.  The whole reason I do music is because I know how important it was to me growing up.  I was the shy kid that felt alone or misunderstood.  Music was how I related to people and also helped me feel like someone else understood my struggles.  I want to be that for someone else.

 

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

A) Thank you!  From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for you.  I have wanted to be an artist since I was four years old.  So, thank you for allowing me to live out my dreams.