Last month, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jenn Bostic released her new album, Faithful.
The follow-up to 2012's Jealous, Faithful follows on the heels of three tours in the UK and Ireland and sees the young talent trust more fully in her own instincts as an artist.
Speaking about Faithful she said: “I wanted to get across how important it is that you are who you are when no-one is looking is who you really are,” she said.
“At the end of the day, you have to live with you. If you're going to create art, it's got to come from the heart. It's not about pleasing other people.
“If we set fear aside and run with what our heart wants, that's going to give us the happiest life.”
Jenn shares her musical likes and memories with Total MK in this week's On Track...
The song that first awakened your musical senses
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember, and my musical senses seemed to be awakened long before I could pinpoint a time, however one song that truly stands out from my childhood is “Sunny Side of the Street.”
I used to sing and dance to that song with my dad around the piano.
At the time, the lyrics were just words, now they carry such a positive message to me.
Physical or digital - how do you take your music?
While I do love to physically hold an album and flip through the pages of the artwork, digital music makes more sense for my lifestyle.
I spend a lot of time time traveling, and to have all my music on one device makes for one less thing to pack.
It’s also more accessible to sharing music by playing songs for people, and in an “I want it now” world, downloading is wonderfully convenient.
The first time you thought 'Music - this is the job for me'
At ten years old, I unfortunately lost my dad in a car accident, and he was the first person to really get me excited about music.
Anytime I played music after losing him I felt this strong connection to him in my heart.
It was then that I truly decided to chase this musical dream.
Your best on stage memory...
There are so many, that’s a tough question.
Performing at The Grand Ole Opry was a dream come true. I
have been blessed with the opportunity to perform as part of the Opry show on six separate occasions and each time feels like the first.
I remember on my Opry debut I performed “Jealous of the Angels” and became emotional toward the end of the song so I shut my eyes.
When I opened them the audience was on their feet and the house lights were up.
To honor my dad in such a special way was something I will cherish forever.
And the worst gig you've ever done
Hee hee! As an independent artist, I’ve played a lot of interesting venues for a wide range of audience members.
I would hate to name a gig the “worst I’ve ever played,” but usually the venues that are low on my priority list to return to involve outdoor spaces without covering (my keyboard doesn’t get along with rain), venues who are surprised when I show up for a scheduled gig because it hasn’t been promoted or communicated to the rest of the staff, and shows that I’ve lost financial resource on.
What made you take up singing in particular?
I’ve always loved to sing. It was something my parents encouraged from an early age.
Singing in church choirs and other musical theater performances always made me happy.
I used to be very shy, and singing helped me come out of my shell a little bit.
Which one song by another artist do you wish you had written?
“Can’t Make You Love Me” by Allen Shamblin & Mike Reid.
Bonnie Raitt’s version absolutely slays me.
I’ve been lucky enough to hear them both speak about the song on songwriting panels throughout the years. Everything about the song is perfect.
And one - by yourself - which holds special significance
All my songs hold a special place in my heart and almost all of them are drawn from personal experience. Naturally, “Jealous of the Angels” is probably the most special to me.
The fact that I’ve been able to honor my dad through this song and help others who are facing loss be comforted by knowing they are not alone humbles me on a daily basis.
It has been a blessing to watch God move through this song and I’m so grateful for the places is has brought me and for the healing I’ve experienced through writing and performing it.
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Great question! Bonnie Raitt. Her voice is absolutely incredible.
I’d step into her shoes, sing the blues at Royal Albert Hall. My guitar skills are very limited, so I’d also like to rip a slide guitar solo in that moment. ;)
Are there any current musical influences that you might look to?
I continue to look to Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi as musical influences.
They both have such an amazing way of expressing emotion through their vocal. I’ve learned a lot about singing the blues by covering their material and I’ve been lucky enough to see them both in concert.
I love that all microphones, instrumentation and production aside those two can sing their tails off.
And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?
I’ve never really gotten into metal, however I know it’s an art of it’s own that makes people happy so if I find myself in a space where it’s being played, I try to find the beauty in it.
Finally, plug Faithful - what can the listener expect?
“Faithful” is such a special album to me. There is so much strength in it.
I was able to explore my favourite genres of music while tying it all together with a bow in one album.
There are elements of pop, blues, jazz and country, and I truly believe there’s something for everyone.
I pray it brings encouragement and joy to all those who hear it.
