Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Growing up with my family was like living in a musical set in Grand Central Station. Our home had a revolving door of family and friends. and an upright piano that rarely went unplayed. My mom is Puerto RIcan and African American, classically trained in opera, and loves Gospel music and movie musicals. Meanwhile, my dad’s a white boy from a farm who loves classic rock, hymns, and mathematics. Our house blurred the lines of genre, as well as the distinction between art and STEM. Now I write theatrical pop, and if you listen closely, you might just notice undertones of these pieces of myself, my international adult life, and math set to music.
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 “Jenna Vivacora”?
A: My debut album, Sojourner, will be released in August 2024, and I’ll be releasing one track every two months until then. I’m looking to find a community of thoughtful, sensitive, uprooted people who will feel seen and loved by my work. I want fans who love an artist who takes risks and chooses collaboration. If you like poetry, theater and experimentation, I’m your girl.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I’m lucky to say that I’m working with the artist that inspires me the most right now! Sirintip produced Important to Try, and is producing my upcoming album. She brings together her internationalism, environmentalism, love for STEM, and alt jazz/pop sensibilities together pretty flawlessly. I’m learning from her constantly!
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Important to Try.”?
A: I’ve lived in four countries and six states in the last 10 years. Important to Try was born out of the frustration of trying to fit into new communities and feeling out of place in old ones, especially around the holidays. It’s an expression of frustration, naivete and coping mechanisms, while also fighting the urge to cut people out. Some relationships are worth pushing through the difficulty.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Dramatic
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Important to Try”?
A: Okay, this is for the nerds. Important to Try began with the concept of feeling odd or out of place, which to me meant that it had to be written in an odd time signature. I wrote the song in 5/4, and if you don’t know music theory, that’s very unusual for pop. I was reluctant to even bring the song to my producer in the first place! But when I did, she raised me one, by alternating 5/4 and 6/4 in the choruses. The hardest part about this song really makes it what it is!
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: My ultimate goal as a creator is to unlock vitality for myself and others. In my upcoming album, Sojourner, I’m aiming to reach uprooted and transplanted people.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Finneas! He loves strange sounds in his productions, clever rhymes, catchy melodies, and meaningful lyrics!
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Having a career in the arts requires you to be so much more than an “artist.” So as you are learning to be an entrepreneur and doing the daily drudge work that’s required, don’t forget to do what brings you joy and excitement in the process.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: “Nothing is gonna make sense for about 10 years, but it’ll come back around. I promise.”
