Interview: Janna Jamison
Shot by Madison McIntyre
Janna Jamison has been brutally honest with herself and anyone else willing to listen since she started writing songs in her hometown of Los Angeles. There has never been a moment, a feeling, or a realization that goes unmentioned in her diary of songs. From her deep love of country-style storytelling to the pop/punk angst of her youth, Jamison's artist project is made up of everything and everyone she loves. She is currently alive and well in Brooklyn, NY.
What inspires your music?
My music is mainly inspired by love and loss of all forms. Love for family, friends, romantic partners, and myself. I think the themes of loss in my songs reflect these sentiments in the same way. I often feel inspired by anger and the feeling of being a young woman navigating the world and how it could be possible to have autonomy and yearn for partnership all at once.
Who are some of your influences?
My influences range from wordy singer/songwriters like Tracy Chapman and Fiona Apple, to alternative indie core like Soccer Mommy and Slow Pulp, and also angsty pop-punk artists like Blink 182 and Mayday Parade.
Shot by Ash Freundner
What are some of your favorite memories from your career?
Anytime my band goes on tour I feel infinitely proud of everything that we've been able to accomplish and the people who come to the shows in cities that I've never played in before. Having an article written about me in the Washington Post was pretty up there.
Which of your projects do you love the most?
My favorite project to date is "Lovesuite" because it was something I took an immense amount of time on, and I felt so driven about the particulars - it really became an obsession for me to finish and for it to turn out the way I imagined it. There is so much care and detail and heart in this project and I really hope people resonate with that when they hear it. This project pushed me a lot as an artist and it made me a better one. I feel like I have a really solid perspective now and "Lovesuite" is the first vessel for it.
Who are some of the collaborators who helped you create your favorite works?
The main producer and co-producer of this project were Alexander Frieden (@Alexander_Frieden) and Thomas Cummings (@t.ho.mas) and they were so integral in the making of this work. Ian Kelly (@imkelly17) is my second hand and writing partner in a lot of ways. He is the first person I play pretty much every song to and his creativity brings a texture to the music that I feel makes it so special. Nicholas Kasko (@nicholas_kasko) is my other guitarist and wrote most of the lead lines on the project. His playing is very particular and I think he brings such a light and energy to each song. Kasko has been playing in my band since 2019 and I feel so lucky that he's been with me on this crazy ride - we've both grown so much.
What are you most excited to bring to your fans next?
Hopefully more music and a killer live show!
What are your goals for this upcoming year?
To write the next project and play SXSW. And tour (:
How can your fans and our readers best support you right now?
Stream "Lovesuite" and tell your friends! Go to local shows and buy merch!!
