We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful India Granger. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with India below.
Alright, India thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?
I think the biggest misconception about me within the music space is surrounding the type of music that I make. I am an indie pop/rock artist. My music is heavily inspired by anime openings and Japanese rock mixed with modern 80s style pop and when I try to explain this to people who are new to my music a lot of the time it just… doesn’t get through or it doesn’t really translate. Brand building is important within the music industry as an artist so I’m still formulating my brand and trying to get it across that, especially as a black female in the music space, I don’t necessarily make R&B and I don’t make bedroom pop either (not that there is anything wrong with making R&B or bedroom pop- I just make something else). I also think I can be mischaracterized based on my looks. I am often mistaken as someone who is a lot younger than I am. I am 24 but I am both blessed and cursed with a “baby face” so… I get mistaken for a teenager a lot. I think there’s some stereotyping there that comes with this like maybe I don’t know what I’m doing or that I’m less experienced in the industry; with this I also think there’s a little bit less respect that is given to someone who looks like me. However, this doesn’t discourage me generally speaking because I know what I like and I know what I know; I have the knowledge and the courage to make my way in the space and I’m going to continue to do so, despite what people might assume about me based on my appearance.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
For those who have never heard about me before, hello! My name is Jolise! :) I am an indie pop artist here in Houston, Texas (born and raised) and I am also taking on the role of an artist assistant/artist manager for a couple of artists that are in my social circle. I have been singing as soon as I could start making sounds and writing songs since I was in elementary school; I do not remember a time when I was not singing or writing song lyrics throughout my life. Ideas for stories and songs come to my head, and I write them down wherever and whenever I can, and this is something that keeps my brain sharp as a writer/songwriter. I think what sets me apart from others is that I have a certain sonic appeal that, although I am still building, I am very proud of where it has come so far. I have performed at a couple of venues in the local Houston area and my ultimate goal is to perform at one of the music venues that I used to work at as a guest service associate with Live Nation (Bayou Music Center or 713 Music Hall). My music and my aesthetic are both heavily inspired by shoujo romance anime, early 2000s shows and cartoons, and 80s synth pop, and their all tied together with a touch of princess appeal. My songs are stories at the end of the day and I am creating a world for people who love to dive into fantasy, whimsy and narrative… and the world is only just beginning to form.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Pay artists what they are worth. This goes for musicians, creatives, artists and writers of all kinds. I think society can help support creatives to thrive by paying for a ticket to the show, buying some of their merch, or even inviting them out for a coffee and a chat to talk about their music. It doesn’t always have to be financial support either, when I say “pay artists what they’re worth”, I mean that you can do this with your attention, you can do this with your time, you can do this with your love and care, and… just showing up! If there is an artist or a creative that you truly care about, really show them through your actions because sometimes all we need is for someone to show up for us. If we had more people to do that, I think artists and creatives would be better off.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part about being an artist… I don’t know this one’s hard, because- it’s not to say that there’s nothing rewarding, it’s actually the opposite. I mean, I’m pushing forward in my career, and I have other success-related goals I am pursuing in my life that are, for the most part, unrelated to my artistry, so I am able to lean on those other parts of my life for the things I need and then I can have my artistry and entrepreneurship be something that I do with heart and passion! So… to just answer the question I think so far the most rewarding aspect has been all the opportunities I have had to build my connections with people who support me and who are incredibly talented themselves. I have been able to engage with so many people recently (especially since my first stage set back in January) who just came out for me at the end of the day and who are incredibly talented themselves in their lives and their passions. I just think “They’re living their own lives and they took out the time in their evening to come here and see me on stage” and it makes me so happy. Those thoughts and feelings mean so much to me and with every single person I see and through forming deeper connections with them.. it has been unbelievably fulfilling for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jolise.bandzoogle.com
- Instagram: @iamjolise
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@joliseofficial?si=MLzpWi6W3SKgHZzX
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/dEEKmmwF1HopZLcsDk
- Other: My Answer (latest release): https://ffm.to/nxwv17q?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
Image Credits
Randal Granger
Leila Castillo (leilascanon)
Jeremiah Jones (Sparkbass)