Philly is the home of a slew of talented singers, songwriters, producers, and the like. A lot of these artists are working their asses off to make sure people take notice of them and hear the craft that they put so much of themselves into.
I recently sat down with one of the aforementioned hard working artists, Jacqueline Constance, to discuss everything from her musical influences and career goals, to social media and dream collaborations.
Check out the interview below
I've always had a love for music, but to actually pursue it, my main motivation was just not seeing what I wanted to see on like MTV, and not hearing what I wanted to hear on the radio. I figured the only way to change it, is to be in it. What I'm doing right now is trying to get into the music scene more, not only here in Philly, but everywhere.
My biggest musical influence is Ella Fitzgerald. She's just amazing, I don't even know what else to say about her; her vocal inflections are amazing, her range, her voice, ugh, she's a dream, she's a dream *laughs*. I love her; she's everything to me, everything.
So, you have a very soulful and unique voice. When you first started singing, did you find yourself mimicking artists you would listen to or did you always put your own spin on things?
Well, I first started singing when I was 9, and I found out that I could sing by mimicking other artists, you know copying their tones and nuances. I honestly didn't start finding my own voice until about 5 or 6 years ago while I was at CAPA. That's how it really started; once I found out that I could sing, that's when I started training and all that good stuff.
How would you say it is here in Philly as far as crowd reception and support?
That's rough *laughs*. Crowd participation and things like that here in Philly is rough, like I've seen mainstream artists get booed. Now, have I come across a negative crowd or a "bad" crowd, no. I'm blessed in that regard because a lot of people have; the audiences I've performed in front of have been cool and calm and usually enjoy what I do. As far as support, Philly is very selective of who they support; first of all you have to be good, hopefully I'm in that category *laughs*. They'll support who's good and those who are working hard and I'm lucky enough to be getting that as well.
As far as you performing, are you always nervous or are you just ready to go out there and kill it?
I'm always a ball of nerves, always *laughs*, no matter where I'm performing, what I'm singing - I'm always nervous. My nervous kind of keep me focused though, I know it's weird, but my nerves work in my favor. People always look at me and say "You're never nervous when you sing" - That's a lie, that's a lie from the pits of hell darling *laughs* I'm always nervous.
I know in your shows that you use loop pedals in your performance, so what gave you the idea for that?
I've only been using the loop pedal for about a month now. I was watching a YouTube video of Kimbra and she was performing and she didn't use the brand that I use, but she had a loop pedal and I was so amazed by it; I'm a buff for harmonies and everything, so I thought I could utilize it. I found one and I started playing around with it and seeing what I could do with it. The Blockley wasn't the first time I used it, but it was the first time I used it for a bigger audience and the reception I got was crazy. So, shoutout to Kimbra for giving me an idea to use it *laughs*
Have there been any artists from Philly that you take inspiration from or that motivate you?
Yes; a couple of my biggest influences here in Philly are Antwan Davis and Chill Moody. I respect them because they've been grinding and working for so long and they've really been putting in work and have something to show for it. Not only do they make great music, but their grind is amazing. I respect them and I actually watch them like a silent student to see what they're doing, how they're making moves; they're like my brothers, I love them to death. They like taken me under their wing like a little sister, so they're the main two.
So, if you could collaborate with any artists in the industry, who would be your top 3?
Janelle Monae, Kendrick Lamar, and Erykah Badu; those 3 have done so much for me musical that to jump on a track with them would be crazy. I can't even imagine the ridiculousness of a track like that *laughs*.
Being as though more and more independent artists are gaining notoriety and such without the backing of a label, would you rather stay independent or sign to a major label?
That's a hard question because there are pros and cons to both, but as far as what I'm trying to do at this moment, I would rather stay indie. Being on a major label, you have to answer to someone and I'm not really ready to have a boss yet *laughs* so, I'd rather just stay indie and make my own path.
I can definitely understand that *laughs*. What would you say has been the biggest thing you've done so far in your career?
The biggest thing I'm doing right now is my upcoming solo project. I've never done a solo project before, this'll be my first one and I'm super excited about it. It's not really a long album, but it's all me; I never done anything solo wise. I've always been part of a collective or adding stuff to an already existing project, but I've never done anything to this magnitude on my own. I have some announcements coming next week too, so just watch *laughs*.
How was the process of working on your first solo project?
It's was really chill; most of the time it was me and Wes in the studio. I'm not a bougie artist so I don't need special things in the studio like cranberries, wine, and candles *laughs* I don't need all of that. I go in the booth, lay down what I need to and if it doesn't sound good, just delete and do it over *laughs*
Speaking of your solo project, let's get into your songwriting. What's your songwriting process like?
Now that's a little complicated *laughs*. It pretty much depends on the tracks that I get. Like I could hear the title of a movie and get inspiration to write a song or hear someone talking about something and get an idea for a song. Everything just comes to me; I don't have a set environment or mood to be able to write.
I know that you said you've gone to audition and things of that nature, so would you ever go on any singing shows like American Idol, The Voice, or X-Factor?
I would; it's more so out of curiosity than the desire to be on the shows, just to see how far I would go. I think The Voice is coming to Philly in January, so I'll be there, you'll probably see me *laughs*. Long story short, it's an opportunity, so why not.
Looking ahead, as far as touring, if you could pick any artist to go on tour with, who would it be?
Oh, no question, Janelle Monae. Her stage presence and energy is crazy; I would wanna tour with her just to learn from her. Even if I got a 5 minute set, outside of the stadium...in the parking lot *laughs* I just wanna go and just learn. I respect her as an artist because she's phenomenal, and I'm sure she can teach me some things.
When you do start touring, what do you think would be the main thing that you would want to take away from the experience?
I would just wanna better my stage presence. I'm definitely getting to where I need to be, but I feel like touring and playing bigger venues would definitely solidify me as far as performing. That and trying to control a larger crowd.
Are there any cities that you haven't been to that you wanna perform in?
I've been to a lot of cities, but I haven't performed in a lot of them though. I definitely wanna go to Atlanta; Atlanta is definitely becoming a hotspot. Atlanta, New York, LA, and you know what's funny, I actually heard that Nashville, TN is becoming like a big music city.
I never knew that *laughs*. When I think Nashville, I mainly think Country music
Yeah, like it's a big music hub, especially for concerts. It's becoming like, a big player in the music scene, which is surprising to me *laughs*.
Nowadays, people say we live in an age of transparency because of social media blowing up over the past few years. So, how do you feel about social media becoming such a huge factor in the music industry now?
I feel like it's a gift and a curse; I feel like social media has become a way for artist to get people to listen to their music, but the way social media works a lot more people are now in your life. There are a lot of people that are taking your tweets and Facebook posts and just running with it. As an artist, especially striving to be mainstream, you have to watch what you say. I'm not the type that's gonna talk about my life on Twitter, I post things, but not personal stuff. Even if you're not in the industry, you have to watch what you post because people can find it. That's why I make sure I keep my social media profiles music related; I have friends to talk to, I talk to Jesus, I'm alright *laughs*.
To close out, what's the main piece of advice you would give aspiring singers and songwriters?
Don't give up! Just keep going; that's the main thing: just keep going. I've been out in Philly for a little bit now; I moved back here from Ohio, where I went to school, and when I came back here, I didn't know anybody, I didn't have any gigs, like nothing. I was discouraged for a long time, but doing things here and there and connecting with people and doing auditions, I slowly but surely started to build a name for myself here. Even when it' rough and it feels like no one's listening, no one's paying attention, just keep going, like no matter what.
Be sure to follow Jacqueline on Twitter, Instagram, and Soundcloud and be on the lookout for her solo project The Jacqueline Show this February.