Award-winning singer JES discuss Music Career and Giving Back to the Community
Award-winning
singer JES discuss Music Career and Giving Back to the Community
Interviewed and written
by Aaron Robinson-Editor
I had the privilege to
interview the amazing songwriter, singer, producer and DJ, that we all know as
JES, regarding her latest happenings and much more. Here is what she has to
share with the readers.
JES: I just released a new track with Cosmic Gate called “If Not Now”. I’ve
done four or five singles with them. It’s really another beautiful song. We
always tend to really hook on to those emotional melodies and lyrics together. That
one is out now. I just released another song which is very different called “The
One” with Joonas Hahmo and JS16. They’re from Finland and are very talented.
They are just great producers. This one is very pop. It has a little bit of a
different thing. I was excited because we played around with my vocals and made
it a little high pitched, like a chipmunk. (Laugh) Some people are like ‘do you
know that your vocals are so high?’ I’m like, ‘yes’ I did that on purpose.
(laugh) I get bored listening to myself sometimes, so I like to play with my
vocals. I love that song. There’s a lyric video out to it. I also have another
song titled “Get Me Through The Night” that came out. I’m releasing an acoustic
version, a piano version, because I play piano. It’s not out yet, but it’s
coming out soon. I’m actually going to be giving it away free.
JES: Well, time goes so fast in our lives. Sometimes we get so caught up in
everything you’re doing. The littlest things can seem so big. You kind of don’t
even look around and see all the chances you get and all the things in front of
you. I think the song is about not passing that by. If we don’t grab on it,
it’s going to leave us. It’s really a very beautiful song. I’ve been holding on
to that sentiment for a while. When I
heard this particular melody, it just went so well. The original song is
actually not a dance song; it’s sort of more of a Downtempo song. There are two
versions, the Downtempo and the dance version.
Aaron: You are still “The Queen of Rocktronica,” how has EDM evolved since you
have been a part of this worldwide genre?
JES: Well, it’s a big change. It’s a learning experience. It’s funny! (laugh)
The only thing I listen to really is Spotify (laugh). I Shazam things and I buy
things off of iTunes, but Spotify and streaming is generally how we listen to
music. I think the way that you market something and the kind of promotion that
you put behind it is definitely different than the way you are use to, but it
comes down to the fans and trying to reach the fans because they’re the ones
that are streaming and possibly buying. It still comes down to your relationship
with your audience and your fans, ultimately. The extra help you get, the PR,
the promotion, is just trying to reach them so that they hear your music. It
can be tricky because the internet is such a huge place. It’s a big world, so
you need to get to everybody. It can be challenging, but I ultimately think if
you can get to your fans and the people that are listening to you and love you,
that you can have success with your releases.
Aaron: For those aspiring artist who are looking to be successful such as
yourself in the music business, do you have any words-of-advice or words-of-encouragement
that you would like to share with them?
JES: The most important thing is to have an idea of what your product is,
where you’re going with it, and what your audience is. It’s not for everyone.
It’s not easy. I always say that when I started out I was kind of a little
naïve. I didn’t really think about what kind of life I might have (laugh) or
how hard it might be. I think you kind of have to approach it with that. You
have to have a plan, and you have to really go out there and try and get it.
You have to work on being as good as you can be and connecting and building a
team of people around you that can push you.
JES: You know, I so believe in that. There have been a couple of other
charities and initiatives that I’ve worked with. I was working with a charity
in San Diego helping children. It means a lot to me. I have not been as
actively pursuing The Awakened Campaign. I have been approached by a couple
charities to do things, like animals. I’ve done a couple of shows to raise
money. The Awakened Campaign, once I have enough in back of me, I’m going to
push it more. I think it’s about helping many charities. It’s the things that
we believe in, so thank you for asking me. I have not put it away. I’ve been
involved with Wounded Warriors, teens, aids and keeping children off the
streets, and my biggest one now is with animals, because I’m a huge animal
lover. I ended up fostering three dogs, so now I have three dogs (laugh). I
couldn’t give them back. I love talking with the fans and love to be
encouraging!
Aaron: Before we end the interview, would you like to add anything in closing?
JES: Yes. I think things are changing and turning around a little bit for
women in the DJ world and in the dance world. It’s been an interesting couple
of years, always trying to prove yourself to be as good as the men (laugh). It’s
interesting because I’m starting to see a shift. So, that’s making me happy.
(laugh)
JES: No, I think you just have to keep working. It’s interesting with all
the movements that are coming out now and all the stuff that’s going on in the
world. It kind of opened up some things for me because I just kind of keep
going. However, there are a lot of things you have to deal with as a woman.
(laugh) No matter what, there’s going to be something. It’s never just going to
be simple. That goes for the entertainment business in general, but I’m glad
that some of it is coming to the forefront, because there is certain levels of
respect that I feel should be there. I think people are being a little bit
awakened to it. So I’m happy about that. No, no step of the way has been just a
door opener. I’ve had to work very hard, and I think most people have to. There
are those instances of luck. I think in general you have to be strong and
respect yourself and be able to hold your own.
JES: Awwwww! Thank you so much Aaron! You have a beautiful night!
For more
information about JES, please visit:
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