By: Karen Steinberg
Photo By Anna Azarov
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) Music in minor key with soulful tones. I’ve heard people describe it as anything from R&B and soul-pop, to even pop-rock for a couple of tracks. Soul is at the heart of it, but there are elements of jazz, pop and classic rock in there, too. I don’t think every song needs to fit into the same box. They’re all different experiences, but my voice and the honesty behind them are what tie them together.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) I honestly have so many. Amy Winehouse, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles and George Michael are big ones. Amy’s honesty really resonates with me; that freedom to say something raw without polishing all the feeling out of it. Fleetwood Mac have a way of turning complicated relationships into beautiful stories and The Beatles could do so much with a simple, memorable melody. Then, there’s the soulful smooth sound of George Michael’s voice. Reggae and trip-hop also play a huge role in my life. My taste is quite broad, which probably makes sense considering how many places I’ve lived!
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Toy Proof.”
A) I was in England caring for my Mum after her bone marrow transplant for leukemia, and someone I loved and trusted left when I needed them most. I’d felt like a rag doll in that relationship for a while- picked up, thrown down and messed around.
The chorus actually came to me while I was driving to collect my Mum from the hospital in England. I had to pull over in the middle of the city and voice-record it. The melody and some broken lyrics just appeared. Writing has always been like therapy for me, and this was my way of saying that you may have hurt me, but you don’t get to break me. Being “Toy Proof” means reaching the point where you refuse to let anyone treat you like that anymore.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think a lot of people know what it feels like to give so much to someone and have them let you down. The circumstances might be different, but that feeling is universal. There’s hurt in the song, but there’s also fight. “You shot me, but I won’t fall.” You can be heartbroken and still have strength in you, even if you haven’t quite found it yet.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) We shot the video at Salton Sea in California, where there are so many great art installations! My acting background in musical theatre definitely came into play when we were filming. There were so many set locations; each represented either a part of the relationship or the emotion that came with it. For example, the swing set represents being toyed with emotionally – pulled back and forth. The shipwreck represents the wreckage of the relationship and the green door I reach for opening out onto nothingness – represents the emptiness I felt when I reached out for support and there was nothing there.
Q) Your debut album Trains, Planes and Airports is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?
A) It’s a collection of people, places and experiences from different chapters of my life. There’s heartbreak, getting out of controlling relationships, finding your self-worth and learning to move forward. But there’s also themes about friendship, partying and some fun in there! “Friendzoned,” “Good Vibes” and “Disco Ain’t Dead” brought a lighter side to the album.
Most of the tracks were written on the road, in hotels, on planes or in some kind of transient state, so the title made complete sense. No matter how dark the story gets, there’s always a positive twist. These songs are about getting through things as much as they’re about what happened.
Q What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) What’s crazy is that I write my songs in my head! Sometimes the lyrics come first, sometimes it’s a melody and sometimes they arrive together. I use the piano to help me find certain chords or harmonies, but the initial idea can happen anywhere.
With “Toy Proof,” it happened while I was driving. With “Better Than You,” I was sitting in my room in LA and put pen to paper – the lyrics came first and then I worked on the melody with Producer Ikuma Matsuda. My environment really affects me when I intentionally sit down to write. I actually enjoy writing alone and getting into the zone with my pen, paper and a glass of red wine!
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) I worked with three producers on this album – Ikuma Matsuda, Herb Middleton and 5am. Each collaboration brought something different to the music.
Herb co-wrote and produced “Good Vibes” and “Drag You Down,” and really helped bring out my soulful tones and develop some cool harmonies.
With Ikuma, we’ve worked together since the beginning of the Jenny JAM recording career, so there’s a lot of history there. I write all the lyrics and vocal melodies/harmonies and Ikuma does all the musical arrangements.
With 5am, it was a combination – sometimes they had some chords they put down which I wrote to, sometimes I came up with the chords like for “Free Bird.”
Q) My favorite tracks on the album are “Toy Proof” and “Friend Zoned.” Which song or songs hold a special place in your heart, and what makes them stand out to you?
A) Thank you! Those two came from such different places. “Toy Proof” will always be deeply personal because of what was happening with my Mum and my relationship when I wrote it. But when I listen now, I tend to think more about who I became afterwards than relive the hurt.
“Friend Zoned” has a much lighter story! It’s about someone I went on a few dates with in London, but I just wasn’t feeling it romantically. I wrote it on my friend’s rooftop in Hampstead while I was watching Glastonbury. The “no fussing, no fighting” line is a nod to Bob Marley and the Wailers and to the Jamaican roots of the person the song is about.
“Free Bird” I wrote mainly for my friend Maddy, who I lived with in Hawaii. She had been trapped in a narcissistic relationship, which she seemed to keep reliving. It was soul-destroying seeing it eat her up like that. So, this song reminds me of the amazing friendship we have, and also happy memories we had living in Hawaii.
Q) What songs off the album are you looking forward to performing live?
A) I actually just performed live at The Pheasantry Jazz Club, Pizza Express Live in Chelsea, London! I performed “Toy Proof,” “Free Bird,” “Friend Zoned,” “Drag You Down,” “Disco Ain’t Dead” with a full band and then “Better Than You” with the piano.
I like taking people through different feelings during a show, having those intimate moments, but also letting everyone have some fun!
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to Trains, Planes and Airports as a whole—either as a message or emotion?
A) That whatever you’re going through now doesn’t have to be where your story ends. I’ve written about some very painful experiences, but I’m still here, making music and having new experiences! That doesn’t mean you have to pretend everything is fine. You have to let yourself feel it and accept that healing has ups and downs.
A man once came up to me after a show in Utah and told me that “Better Than You” had helped him get through an abusive relationship. That never left me. If someone finds something in this album that makes them feel understood or helps them move forward, that means everything to me.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform, and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) London is always special because it’s where I’m from. There’s something lovely about bringing the music home after creating it across so many different places.
In terms of a performance I’ll never forget, the Freedom Tower in New York is at the top. I was asked to write and perform a song for the First Responders, National Guard and families of the victims of 9/11. I was so honored, I still ain’t believe that happened.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) I would love to feature on a Thievery Corporation track. I love trip-hop! Damian Marley or Barrington Levy would also be incredible. Reggae plays a huge role in my life and I think jazz and reggae can work so beautifully together. Then, Bruno Mars for a proper funk-soul song!
Q) What artist or musician are you currently listening to, and why do you dig them?
A) I honestly listen to different artists every day! It really depends on my mood. I’m listening to a lot of roots reggae at the moment, to really try and chill after an intense two months of filming, releasing “Toy Proof” and the album and producing a whole show in London and rehearsals!
I’m currently listening to Yellowman, Tarrus Riley and J Boog because I miss Hawaii!
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Thank you for sticking with me and listening. It’s been a while between releases, due to waiting on the thumbs up from radio and management. So much life has happened in that time! Being an independent artist takes a huge amount of work and having people who listen, share a song, come to a show or send me a message makes such a difference. These songs come from very personal places, so knowing they mean something to someone else is worth all the hard work. I’m so happy to finally share this album with you! More to come!