We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenna Irene. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenna Irene below.
Jenna Irene, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Part of me really wishes I did start my career as an artist earlier or went to school full time for performing arts and music.
I wish I could’ve started releasing music sooner even when I got out of High School but I wouldn’t be the same artist as I am now! I’ve been singing since I was a kid. I did talent shows, musicals, music competitions, chorus and sung the National Anthem at different venues while growing up but I started my career as an artist in 2020 when I wrote my first song “RISE” and released it into the world in 2021. This was the right time for me to start because I was much more secure with who I was as a person and took care of myself along with my mental health. I was training my voice more and researching/learning more about the music industry. If I started sooner than that I might have struggled a lot because in 2018-2019 I was in a very dark spot but it was in the middle of 2019 where I started blossoming and enjoying life again. I’m very strong and in a good headspace now compared to where I was in the past.
If I started my career earlier I wouldn’t have been ready. I’ve learned so much about my voice, writing and still continue to grow. I’ve gained thicker skin. I still take voice lessons and always want to keep learning how to improve as a singer and artist. If I started earlier I never would’ve written my song “RISE” a song about rising above the dark and intrusive thoughts inside your head. It’s about telling yourself things can get better and it’s very possible to live and enjoy life. Overall, when I think about the big picture it was best that I started in 2020 and it was meant to be that way. This all happened for a reason and I can think of so many things that wouldn’t have happened to me if I started sooner. I would say stop giving yourself a hard time and focus on where you are now. Focus on what your goals are and what you need to do to work towards them and achieve them. Have fun while you still can and enjoy the process of making music and creating art. I am meant to be an artist, singer songwriter and it’s never too late to chase a dream so start chasing it!
Jenna Irene, 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?
I’m a pop singer songwriter from South Portland, Maine! I’ve been singing since I was a kid but I became an artist in 2020. I’ve always loved writing stories or poems and it came very natural to me. I would share my poetry online and spend extra time on writing assignments. My goal was to always write and sing my own songs but I didn’t know if that was possible. I thought I had to sign with a record label in order to record songs but of course that’s definitely not the case! I was very inspired by some of my friends who are also local artists and were making their own songs. They were going to recording studios in my own town or Portland which is right across the bridge from me! They were performing in shows and even music videos! I had the same passion as them and wanted to do what they were doing so I reached out and asked what the process was like for them. I was interested in their journey as well and watching them has always been super inspiring.
I’m very proud of my songwriting ability and being able to think outside the box when it comes to writing and singing. I know that’s another thing that can set me apart from other people too. I’m an artist willing to listen to constructive criticism and give other ideas a chance. My voice teacher even taught me that it’s ok if you have to start an entire song from scratch. I’m someone who doesn’t give up on a project and keeps a positive mindset. My attitude and willingness to not give up on myself or making music sets me a part as well as my songwriting. I really want people to know I write songs not just for myself but so they can help another person too. All of my songs so far come from my personal experiences or are inspired by other’s stories or even a moment that stayed with me. I love writing and really want to write different types of songs and make people feel as if they can relate or visualize what’s happening in that moment while listening. I don’t want to just “write a song” I really want to write pieces that are meaningful and that people will want to go back and listen to whether they’re fun, catchy or a ballad. Also, purple is my favorite color and I really want to have something purple in each music video I make just for fun.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to create something that’s not just for me but for others to enjoy or connect deeply with too. It’s my way of being able to help someone from a far.
My song “RISE” is a song written to not only help myself get out of the tough times in my head but it was made for other people who could be struggling too. This song was made for them to know they’re not alone and to please not let go. It’s the same with “Kingdom of Lies” which is a song about getting away from a toxic relationship and standing up for yourself. I made that song for someone who could be feeling scared to open up and wanted to send the message they’re not alone and don’t deserve to be treated horribly. I wanted to let them know I’m there for them in spirit. My unreleased song “Ghost Story” is also an anthem for those who have been ghosted and cut off by people who they thought loved them and wouldn’t leave. There’s a difference with needing to leave someone because they’re terrible and toxic to you and are treating you poorly. But being ghosted unexpectedly by a group of people or a person who you thought cared for you deeply is a really crummy disgusting feeling. I went out of my way to see if I did something wrong and if we could talk about what I might’ve done to upset them, I still didn’t get answer. This is a song to let them know I did struggle with them ghosting me but now realize I don’t need them and didn’t do anything to be treated that way. I don’t starve myself with blame anymore.
That’s the beautiful and rewarding thing about being an artist. I get to share my experiences and stories in a healthy way compared to what I did in the past. Self-harming was my way of dealing with trauma and difficult times/moments for years. Being a singer songwriter and putting all of these difficult feelings into a song is now my healthy outlet and at the end of the day it’s very rewarding and better in the long run.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I wasn’t always chosen to be in musicals. plays or talent competitions. I’ve auditioned for American Idol and didn’t get past the first round. I’ve auditioned for musicals and didn’t get chosen. I haven’t won local talent competitions. I’d get a lot of rejection which can be incredibly frustrating. However, I’ve never given up on being an artist. I just kept going and knew that my time would come while continuing to blossom. For example, I auditioned to sing the National Anthem for the Portland Sea Dogs and was finally chosen! I knew that happened because I kept practicing and because of my resilience. I was chosen to sing the National Anthem for the Savannah Bananas and my performance was aired on NESN. I earned that spot because I kept practicing over the years and my moment finally came, If I wasn’t resilient and if I gave up then none of those wonderful opportunities would’ve happened for me. If I focused on every negative comment from a stranger online or in a music blog about one of my songs I wouldn’t be an artist and wouldn’t be making any songs right now. I wouldn’t be in shows. I wouldn’t even be working on my very FIRST EP which will be coming out in early Fall. I know more is in store for me because I’m not the type of person to give up and I encourage others to not give up either.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://solo.to/officialjennairene
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennairene_official/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenna.gato
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@JennaIrene
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/5Dn15
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0U6atHEBiNE79USP1xzdmu?si=jcN2mMdMS8WCaa9SZUdiUw
Image Credits
Savannah Daras Photography
Honeyvision Media
Jenna Irene