We recently connected with Liana Jaden and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Liana, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my EP that is set to release in March of 2025. I have been working on this EP for multiple years now, with the songs being written over the span of 6 years and working in the studio in 2022. This 5 track EP contains songs that hold pieces of my heart in them. Specifically the lead single, Overthinking, has been incredible to share. The amount of people who have reached out to tell me how much they relate to and love the song is insane. I am so glad to provide an outlet for them. The concept of the EP surrounds the idea of Overthinking. With singles such as: Overthinking, Prettiest One in the Room, and Nothing. There are 2 more tracks that will be added to the mix, but I’ve yet to announce their titles. One focuses on yearning for someone who never allows you to truly find happiness and the other surrounds the topic of grief. Specifically sudden grief. I am beyond excited to share this EP. If you enjoy storytelling and lyricism, this EP is for you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an independent artist and songwriter who has a deep love for lyricism. My genre is mainly pop and artists such as Taylor Swift, Mitski, and The Cranberries are huge inspirations in my work. I’ve been writing songs for as long as I’ve been able to talk. I mean this quite literally, my mom told me as soon as I could talk so much of my self expression came out through song. I’ve always known I wanted to be in the music scene, but I also knew I wanted to tell stories. I grew up in musical theatre and felt like an outcast. I didn’t get big roles and I didn’t have many friends. However, my love of the art kept me returning for more. More auditions. More rejections. But also, more music and more stories. It was a love-hate relationship. However, when I would return home from long rehearsals, I would write music for hours. This is where I truly felt like I could shine. In my room, playing my guitar and singing for my mom and dog. I soon participated in open mic nights and auditioned for the top choir at my school. I was able to sing solos here and gained more stage confidence.

After high school, I studied classical vocal performance in college. I performed in choirs and operas. I still didn’t land big roles in the operas, but always shined in solo performance. However, it wasn’t until after graduation that I recorded my music. This whole time, I was too scared. Yes I made YouTube videos in my bedroom, but an actual EP was scary to me! What if I sucked? What if people heard my music and heard the real me? What if no one understood it? What if my chords were too bland? There were a million reasons to not pursue this, but there was one big reason to do it: this is all I’ve ever wanted.

So, I recorded the EP and then a music video and here we are. I formed a band full of insanely talented and supportive musicians: Aeron Price, Summer Jones, and Dustin Reese. We perform mainly in Ventura County but have also expanded to LA venues.

I am currently a music teacher and graduate student studying Music Industry Administration at CSUN. I’m so proud of myself and cannot wait to share the EP with everyone.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the concept of perfection. Oh my goodness, in my life I have never actually allowed myself to unapologetically make mistakes. I’m a huge people pleaser and a huge perfectionist. With this EP and diving into live performance as a musician, I’ve had to really let go of the idea that mistakes are wrong, embarrassing, and the pinnacle of failure. I let the fear of mistakes hold me back for so long. Yes, people might and will make fun of me. Yes, I’m going to screw up silly things. No, this doesn’t make me a failure. No, this doesn’t mean that I should stop pursuing what makes me, me. I’ve been thinking a lot about why I am so scared of mistakes. It comes down to self preservation. It’s a means of survival. However, life is so much more than survival. We are meant to enjoy what we have and love what we want. We are meant to have fun and learn! I’m so proud of the progress I have made. Without mistakes, I wouldn’t be human.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I studied classical voice for 5 years in college. Then, I moved on to manage a music school. I’ve always known that I wanted to be an artist in the industry. I want to make and perform my music. However, going after what you want can be scary. There are sooooo many other talented musicians out there who want the same things, look the part, have more connections, etc. I am a 20 something year old from a small town. I don’t have an abundance of money and I never have. I am not a naturally thin woman and have struggled with body image my entire life. I have mental health problems. I’m not the best vocalist or guitarist or even songwriter.

See, there were a lot of reasons why I worked in fields that were not this one. I could take rejection in the opera world because I truly was not passionate about the art. I find it beautiful, but it’s not my life’s purpose. I could take rejection at work with managing a business because I didn’t want to be there either. I couldn’t stand the thought of rejection in this field.

Still, I know I am not the picture perfect pop-star that executives are looking for. However, I’m pursuing this. I’m an entertainer, a story teller, a writer, a musician, and honestly: I’m great at this. I have to tell myself this more often. It’s hard, but it’s true.

Last year I made the decision to study music industry in graduate school. And earlier this year I made the decision to leave my managerial job. I love teaching music and that’s what I do now! I teach at a music school that I absolutely adore and I attend my graduate classes at night. I write, perform, record, and do all that comes with being an independent artist as well. I’m busy, but I’m happy and I know that this industry takes a ton of work. The work that I’m willing to and already putting in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lianajaden.com
• Instagram: @itslianajaden
• Youtube: @LianaJaden
• Other: TikTok: @lianajaden

Image Credits

T Mariscal
Miriam Larson
Jessica Torrey