Jenny JAM is a London born, Los Angeles based soul-pop singer/songwriter whose music aims to encourage others to always believe in yourself even when times get tough. Her thought-provoking and sincere songwriting allows listeners to connect to her music, delivering an authentic message that has been captivating audiences across the globe.
With a background in musical theatre, acting and modelling, Jenny utilizes her dynamic singing talents and experiences to craft her own unique and genuine music. Inspired to write after a series of traumatic events, Jenny used writing as a form of release, wanting others to hear her story and learn from her experiences and mistakes. The overall theme of her music highlights turning negatives into positives.
What do you want your music to communicate?
I really hope for people to take my lyrics on board. I try to make them relatable with a message behind each song. My aim is always to inspire people and encourage others to believe in themselves even when times get tough.
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
I always draw from either traumatic experiences or moments that have really moved me in my life. Writing is like therapy. Sometimes I write about people, sometimes it’s about a concept or a moment in time. My single “Big Lonely Cloud” is about loneliness, isolation and depression – a song I wrote during lockdown after nearly losing my Mum. All my songs have a positive twist/message though!
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
I think there are some great artists today but Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish stand out for me. I really admire their performance, lyrics, melodies and their drive. In terms of my all time favorites – I love Freddie Mercury, Amy Winehouse, George Michael, Nina Simone, to name but a few.
What’s the record or artist that made you realize you wanted to be an artist?
I actually started off doing musical theatre but realized that soul music was really where my heart was. I knew I always wanted to perform, so it wasn’t any artist specifically that made me want to be an artist. It was music in general.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
“My Letter to You” is a ballad about a response to an unexpected, hurtful letter sent by my Dad before he passed away from lung cancer in Florida, 2014. I wrote back to him from where I was living in London at the time but he died before he was able to properly read it and I never heard back.
During lockdown, this all resurfaced for me and I decided to turn it into a song and film the music video across the US – from LA (where I now live) to his street in Florida, to portray the journey of my letter sent across many miles. The lyrics are about the hurtful words written to me and my strength to overcome the pain they caused.
What inspires your sound?
I grew up on so many different types of music but mainly on 60s rock n roll, soul, jazz and reggae. I’ve been described as Indie Soul-Pop and Soul-Pop, so I think the variety of music in my life mixed in with living in 3 different countries, my travels, plus my experiences have inspired my sound.
What’s your favorite tune of yours?
That’s a hard one as I write all my songs from the heart, about things I am passionate about. I would say it’s a tie between “Big Lonely Cloud” and my first single, “Morning Bottle”. I had nowhere to live when I wrote “Morning Bottle” and was staying in a friend’s attic in Venice Beach, California at the time. It was the first full song I had ever written, so it means a lot to me.
Where are some things you really want to accomplish as an artist?
The whole point of my music is to try to motivate/help others by writing about tough experiences that many people can relate to. I want to set up a non-profit and am currently working on curating this.
I am looking to work in a Syrian refugee camp in Lebanon teaching French and music in the coming months. Aside from that, I am currently writing music with a well-known producer in the UK to go on BBC radio 2, so that would be great if it gets commissioned and of course I would love to be nominated for a Grammy haha!
Favorite lyric you ever wrote?
There’s 2 that I can’t choose between:
“Won’t forget our last embrace, pain of disease imprinted on your face.” – from “My Letter to You”
This is about the last memory I have of my Dad who then passed away from lung cancer.
“My mind the vortex, a colorful complex, a battlefield by myself.” – from “Big Lonely Cloud”
I already mentioned this song but this lyric depicts dealing with all the thoughts in your head during isolation.
Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?
Definitely but only momentarily. The desire to make music always takes over. The music industry and living in Los Angeles can be a lonely place. It’s very important to surround yourself with good people.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
It’s ok to be wrong. Being wrong and owning up to it is how you grow. Also that it’s really important to have solid boundaries with people. You only end up screwing yourself if you don’t.
Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
That’s a tough question but it seems like some music is going to be released through NFTs in the near future. (Kings of Leon have already done this.) I’m soon going to be releasing a piece of moving art alongside a clip from “My Letter to You” music video. The art is created by Oscar, Academy Award, and Golden Globe Winning artist Tyquane Wright (Spider Man-Into The Spider-Verse).
