Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I was born and raised in Academgorodok, a university town in Siberia, in a family of Soviet scientists. Started to study classical guitar at 13. Access to Western music was limited in the Soviet Union, but I listened everything I could get my hands on and at 18, wrote my first song.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Janna Badalian”?
A: As a jazz singer and songwriter, growing a large fan base is challenging. I am an old-school girl when it comes to quality of songwriting and performance. I hope to publish and promote a few high-impact originals that will capture the listeners’ fancy. Truly catchy, original tunes are a rarity nowadays and may just, with a bit of luck and investment, break through the noise.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Right now I am very much into gypsy jazz and starting to write in this style. Listening to contemporary vocalists, such as Marion Lenfant-Preus Leila Duclos, Tatiana Eva-Marie, and, of course, many great guitarists whom I can never rival.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “The Children Will Pay.”?
A: “The Children Will Pay” was written in 2022, at the height of school shutdowns and mask mandates for little kids. The song takes a hard look at what we have been doing to our kids – the aftermath of the Covid epidemic, the burdens of unsustainable debt, and the many evils of the modern world that they will have to face. The simplicity of the tune and traditional gospel arrangement are designed to highlight the powerful message.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: “The Children Will Pay” is arranged in a traditional gospel style, which is somewhat unfamiliar territory for me. But I was lucky to find a fabulous Hammond organ player, Bertron Curtis, who added authenticity and solemnity to the track. Generally, I write in varied styles, gravitating mostly to traditional jazz and sometimes folk.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “The Children Will Pay”?
A: Recording the guitar track was a challenge – I tried several local jazz guitarists but none could come up with precisely what I was looking for, so I ended up playing the solo guitar myself, though I am by no means a professional jazz guitarist.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: Old school, profound, quality songs with a touch of humor. My goal is to become known as original jazz songwriter. I am not after gigs. But I would love to leave a body of memorable, quality recordings before I am gone from this world.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Joscho Stephan – the most mind-blowing Gypsy jazz guitar player I’ve ever heard (barring Django himself).
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Start early and learn to play multiple instruments.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Don’t waste time listening to people who clearly don’t have your best interest at heart.
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