We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Correna Jane a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Correna , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Born in the pandemic Nu funk/Neo-soul band Unessential Jane have legendary goals and intentions. Correna Jane (vocals) Kim Painter (bass) JByrd(drums) Vee (keys) Rex (guitar) and Sarah Barnts (manager, trumpet) are all undoubtedly leaders, organizers, friends, and creatives. When UEJ isn’t funking around you will find members meeting with local activist Springfield tenants unite(STUN)- group fighting for tenant rights in a landlord town. Since joining STUN the direction with their music has been based on personal experiences with the housing/legal system, revolution, fun and self care. Each month UEJ takes part in organizing free child care, home cooked meals, clean water, and leadership in listening sessions for STUN. Information on local elections, housing conditions, and social issues are round table style discussed.
Most members of UEJs income before the pandemic relied on business being open, in order to continue with their current housing situation, multiple members experienced homelessness, unaffordable car issues, threats of eviction, and so much more turmoil. Although not everyone in the current arrangement was actually in UEJ, friendships were being made through JByrd. He has connected multiple musicians through jam sessions and conversation. Taking time and building relationships we all eventually became friends seeking the same goals and community norms around practice and creativity. While playing music with one another is rewarding itself, UEJ found other members of the community struggling to keep housing, or afford basic human needs. Vee (founding member of STUN) began asking for help and leadership with housing in SGF. Members of UEJ jumped at the opportunity and have been passionate about winning human rights in Missouri.
Here are some facts as to why this is so important to STUN and UEJ.
Recent survey found of 381 Greene county households almost 9 in 10 reported bad housing conditions. More than 1 person in 100 has no stable place to live. In February 2023 Springfield had 2,654 people without housing and 900 people on the streets.1 in 5 SGF residents are living in poverty, 3 in 5 are tenants. With a minimum wage job 64 hours of work a week is mandatory to afford a 2 bedroom apartment. SGF needs landlord licensing, rental registration, mandatory interior rental Inspections, right to counsel, and income based/low-barrier housing. There is an astounding lack of affordable/accessible housing in SGF. THAT AIN’T RIGHT!!!
The People closer to the problem are closer to the solution. Every single person of Unessential Jane and STUN have been affected by the housing system inside and outside of MO. Together they envision creating a chain of change for the poor and working class to get motivated, take action and start organizing towards leading communities into a brighter, more affordable future. “WE BELIEVE WE WILL WIN!!”
Correna , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Correna Jane(They/She), I am a leader, creative, laughter yogi, and a sexy legend! Since I can remember singing, laughing, and expression through creativity consumed my time. I began learning ukulele independently at 13, from then on, writing songs, playing at different open mics and camp fires have been my favorite pass times. In 2018 I moved from West Covina, Ca to Springfield, Mo. My living situation was not very safe or sanitary the first year and thankfully ended up living in the living room of a stranger at the time. Who is now my best friend and bandmate. During this time I started to learn about Laughter Yoga, and moved onto getting certified to lead laughter. By doing so I help people boost endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain, we do light stretches and provide a non judgmental space. Laughter club is always free and accessible to everyone.
As an adult Creating music and laughter helps keep me together when I feel uncomfortable in my skin. I am committed to providing free or affordable events for all ages to break that discomfort, get acting silly or express yourself through dance/movement/creation.
I have helped host and create donation based events such as ecstatic dances,backyard fests, variety show “Night of Expression”, and a plethora of free events. Back tracking a bit but,
in early pandemic times I became a UNessential worker, with my passion for laughter and music, I started cautiously forming nu funk/neo soul band Unessential Jane. After about 3 years I finally found a solid group of artists who want the same goals and drive. We are “John’s and Jane’s.” I’ve fallen in love with each member individually and with the group as a collective. Together we are also a part of Springfield Tenants Unite- activist group fighting for tenant rights in a landlord town.
Since Unessential Jane has been involved with STUN, I have been committed to organizing power and fun for the public. Since everyone has to work so hard for basic human rights, I want to create other leaders, while getting educated on power and housing as a community, in a fun and enjoyable way. None of this is possible without support from the community.
When I’m not with STUN or UEJ you can find me volunteering with On the Scene-Local media group uplifting the creative community. With little to no funding OTS has been interviewing and highlighting creatives for over 2 years. Going out and supporting your local music scene is so special for performers. I’m always most excited to see new original music in a town full of cover and tribute bands. OTS is dedicated to getting high quality content in SGF.
Money isn’t abundant in activist work or art. I basically make nothing for all the work I do. I’m thankful for my partner believing in me, supporting me, and helping me have basic human needs.. I understand I am very lucky to focus on everything mentioned above because of this unlimited support.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Three words that best explain my goals are fun, freedom, and human rights. Live immersive entertainment and laughter yoga are awesome fun ways to express yourself and feel free. Springfield tenants unite is a wonderful way to get involved with human rights movements, like housing. I believe that creativity and activist work are connected.
Most “movers and shakers” do not take time daily or even weekly for relaxation or social connection. My mission is to bring fun and entertainment into serious settings.
This year I plan to share Laughter yoga with local senior centers, listening sessions, corporate meetings, and any other space that could use a good laugh.
We can bring so many different people together through art, there is so much opportunity to take action and form strong communities. I want people to just show up for these gatherings so they can tell their story in hopes to create next steps for building power. A lot of the planning is not fun, so that’s why it’s so important to me that we create space for rest and play in our hustle hard or die system.
We must normalize and prioritize time off and with our friends and loved ones.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Sunday mornings have become my favorite time of week. 12 pm is check in for Unessential Jane band practice. Free styles, writing, communicating, and sometimes making meals together/relaxing is what a typical UEJ practice looks like. Decompressing is so important to me, especially when everyone is doing so much 9-5 work and not enough play. It’s so rewarding providing a fun nurturing space for my team to let loose,get funky, create/learn, gain confidence, make goals and healthy memories together.
Balancing work and play isn’t easy.We sometimes have to take weeks or even months of no practice. We do this to avoid burnouts, lead by example, to normalize having fun and playing with your talents.
With members having such busy schedules I feel so accomplished and proud that we are able to save space for the workaholics so they may play and have fun. I love encouraging everyone to rest,learn that new song,or whatever goal for the week may be.
Unessential Jane has been my family for the last two years. Sarah, Jbyrd, Kim, Rex, and Vee love, support, and see me so much. I am so honored to be organizing with them and creating space for others to feel such love and passion with art and music, whether they are observing or creating. Unessential Jane itself is most rewarding to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gofundme.com/f/c3yqt-springfield-tenants-unite-mutual-aid-fund?fbclid=IwAR0kpIcO71JCnt6fkb9enFuojy7TfJO8wiE0KVZHgYJo7UdJkAbvz2is4wk
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unessentialjane/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnessentialJane
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@correnajane1261
Image Credits
Zen Lens Photo media On the Scene 417