“As an artist I think the most powerful tool we can have is
a huge passion for our art.”
The young singer and song-writer from the United States, Jen Gloeckner, spoke to the City Code and shared with us many of her creative moments. The inactivity period was what brought her to the point of having a plurality of tracks for release. The “VINE”, her relationship with technology and how it affects young artists are still some things that were discussed.
Interview: Ilektra Limniou
You are active in music industry since 2005. What changes may you notice in your career and audience’s needs after twelve years?
I think a lot has changed. One big change is that people are no longer downloading music like they used to, whether free or paid. It seems that everything really is moving towards streaming on Spotify, Youtube, Soundcloud, etc. Plus, there is a much broader range of music now, than there was twelve years ago. Even since my last record, “Mouth of Mars”, things have changed greatly both industry and music wise.
You are up to release your third full-length album, entitled “VINE”. What are we going to hear through it? Is this an exclusively job of yours, in terms of lyrics and music?
Due to a back injury, I was not able to write or record for a few years, as I was mainly lying on flat my back during that time. I had to evolve quickly, since a lot of time was missed. Though “VINE” is my third record, it almost feels like my fourth or fifth, because so many ideas and songs came through that were not used, before I felt good about where I was at artistically. As with “Miles Away” and “Mouth of Mars”, I think “VINE” also explores many different sounds and styles, but yet everything still seems to work well together as an album.
I write, record and produce in my bedroom, as I go. After I am comfortable with the songs, I then send stuff out to some long distance friends to have them add some of their magic, and bring some local friends into the bedroom to do some recording. My husband, John, helps quite a bit on the lyric side of things.
Seasons are also changed. Nowadays, technology is an important part of our lives and you maintain a designed site, where you present us your projects and everyone can find and buy your music through it. Does this way of promotion is more useful and effective for artists?
Yeah, it really seems that things are now a free-for-all, and there are very few protocols that need to be followed. I’m often asking myself “who can tell me what I need do now?”, but I don’t think anyone has these answers anymore, and you really need to carve out your own path. As an artist I think the most powerful tool we can have is a huge passion for our art. It is very hard to find a label, publicist, etc., that will have the same passion and time needed to make a big impact.
You are still a young artist, and hopefully you never stop thinking about your future in music. Which is the most creative part when you get in the procedure of making an album?
It’s really kind of a snowball effect. When there seems to be no inspiration, you really need work through it, and it will come. And when it comes, you need to take full advantage and ride it out. It’s during these times that it feels that everything opens up and flows.
So, apart from the forthcoming album, what are your future plans? Are you going to make a tour, in order to promote “VINE”?
I hope I start on a video soon, followed by a US tour, maybe west coast this time. “VINE” is a very visual and cinematic record, so I am also hoping to get some stuff placed in film.
