FEATURED ARTIST FRIDAY: Brittany Jean
Today we welcome my sister, Brittany Jean, to the blog for a short interview about her newly begun music career!
1. Hello, Brittany, thank you so much for joining us today. So, you are a singer/songwriter. What got you started in music?
Well, thank you for inviting me, it’s wonderful to be here!
Since I was old enough to sit on a piano bench, I’ve been playing. That’s where I started.
The piano was just my “thing”. My sister (*ahem*) was a writer, my brothers were athletes, and I played the piano.
When I was in seventh grade, I wanted to try out for musicals and hoped to get a vocal solo here or there (which is somewhat ironic because I didn’t try out for my high school’s musical productions). So, I started taking voice lessons. I had always enjoyed singing before, but this was when I started getting serious about it.
Then I started writing songs in high school. My sister (*ahem*) and I wrote my first song together, called Were They Angels, for my school’s 2008 Fall Play. I performed it with a friend, and that’s when I discovered that I love writing songs.
For the past year I’ve also been teaching myself how to play the guitar... And it is now one of my favorite things.
2. So, you're recording your songs in a professional studio with professional musicians... what is that like?
Yes, I am! And it is awesome! I can tell you it’s a lot different than recording by myself on GarageBand. It’s beyond spectacular to sing with a professional “band”. They all have extraordinary talent. I love watching them get to the studio, set up their equipment, and listen to my demo. I wish I could know what they’re thinking while they listen because when we all go to our separate areas to actually record, they always come up with something brilliant. Every time I present a song to them, I feel like I’ve written the framework for the songs, then they come through and fill it in--making it more colorful and real.
Recording: I’m addicted. It is so much fun.
3. How do you go about writing a song? Do you generally come up with the melody or the lyrics first?
My songs are always spontaneously inspired by real people and stories they tell.
Sometimes that “real person” is myself, but I enjoy making other people’s stories more important by turning them into a song. Sometimes the melody comes first, but that is often a harder song to complete. I’ll have a melody line, then have to find the perfect words to fit into that mold. Lyrics are the most challenging part of the process for me. Because you have to get them just right, and you have to make sure that you are conveying precisely what you’re trying to say. Usually the lyrics come first, and I prefer this--it feels like the hardest part is finished.
4. What is your favorite thing about writing. composing. performing music?
I have many favorite things, but I think my “most favorite” thing is playing a new, never-before-heard song for my family. They are always encouraging, and honest--if I need honesty. I love getting to the end of a song and hearing, “Play it again.”
5. What is your least favorite thing about writing, composing, performing music?
I deal with stage-fright. I’ve gotten better over the years, but I still get those reliable butterflies before performing. I’m trying to turn this into a strength. Last year I made the decision that if someone asked me to play or sing and I had the ability to do so, I would. This has helped me 1.) not stress as much about performing and 2.) to be ready whenever I might be given the opportunity.
6. When can we expect to see your finished CD available for sale?
I’m hoping to finish recording in July, then have everything put together and ready for distribution by September 2!
7. Where can we learn more about Brittany Jean? (website, facebook page. etc)
I have a new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bjeanmusic) and a website that is under construction. I’ll let you know when it is ready for visitors!
Thank you for joining us today, Brittany! Another place you can learn a little more about Brittany's music is on her kickstarter page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brittanyjean/whispered-stories-music-cd-by-brittany-jean You can even hear one of her completed songs in its entirety over there, as well!