VMU:  Hey how are you and where are you from?

I'm pretty darn good and I'm from Cupertino, CA  -  currently residing either there or San Diego, CA.


VMU:  So tell us about yourself!  How did you get started?

Me?!   Well, um, let's see.  I started performing very early and did all that church choir, show choir, musical theatre stuff that alot of kids do.  I also had a funk/rock band in high school - we worshipped No Doubt.  Then I went off to study musical theatre at UC Irvine.  I still love theatre and plan to continue pursuing it - but for now, my music is the priority.  Expressing my own thoughts and feelings is so much more fulfilling at this point.
I always wrote songs but didn't really start liking any until just after college.  I had yet to play a real show   and then a friend called me one day and said, I booked you at the Cat Club in eight days, be ready. And that's how it started.

VMU:  How many releases have you put out?

None.  None officially.  I have an unofficial acoustic CD that I recorded a couple years ago.  And I'm releasing my first EP at the end of January.  But even that I consider to be a demo of sorts.


VMU:  Who produced them and where?

That's why its still a demo - I produced it with the input of my band and my engineer, but there wasn't much time spent concocting things.  We just put down what we had.   It was recorded at what was then called Pineapple Studios and has since been renamed Cedar Studios - by phenom Dominic Nieto.

VMU:  Is it hard to find the right producers and musicians to work with?

Very, and I am far from perfecting the process.   So, if you have any tips for me . . .


VMU:  VMU thrives on gear issues!  I know you play guitar, what kind are you useing now?

A very unfortunate Ovation Balladeer that I have killed.  It’s a great first guitar but its time to move on (as soon as I have the means)

"I mostly write when I'm angry about something." - Jenn

VMU:  Are there any other types of guitars you like to use and what works best for you?

Hmmm, if you'd like to publish my Christmas list a little late: any kick-ass Martin, Taylor or Gibson would be a major upgrade from what I have now.    My birthday is February 12th.


VMU:  Very powerful voice!  Have you had lessons in the past?

Yes, I had a few lessons in college - plus a diva-singer-friend who helped me out - but mostly I'd say my skills come from singing along to things and imitating voices.


VMU:  You are also in theatre could you tell us more about that?

Like I said, I did musical theatre growing up and studied it in college.  And when I moved to San Diego I worked steadily in shows until I decided to just focus on my music.  Most recently I played Janis Joplin in the musical "Beehive" and Yitzhak in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" - both shows were fun because they were rock musicals - in Hedwig I even played guitar.

VMU:  What really drives you to do what you do?

Nothing really drives me to open my mouth and sing the way I do - that feels like its innate, or preordained or something, that just feels right.  But the ambitious side of it, the press kits, and email lists, and the feeling of trying to claw your way to the top, that must be: validation, recognition, attention, and the fact that everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated.  And lastly: fear, I want to do this for a living and if I don't work my butt off that won't happen.

VMU:  How do you feel about the mainstream music scene and over seas?

I don't know anything about music overseas.  Here, I'm constantly comparing myself to mainstream performers - and constantly thinking about how marketable I am - which sucks because that really shouldn't be a priority - but I want to make a living doing this so it has to be.


VMU:  What do you express in your lyrics and do compose all your own music?

I mostly write when I'm angry about something.  It just makes more sense to me to write at the height of emotion.  I guess its a helpful thing that I'm nonconfrontational because someone will piss me off, I'll say nothing and then go home and write a song about it.  And I try to make my lyrics completely honest so if a person were ever to find out a song was about them, I could justify everything I wrote.   And song should clearly convey a mood or feeling.


VMU:  Who are your musical influences?

I LOVE Fiona Apple, especially her second album.  Her ability to appeal to both sexes, her lyrics, her style, all so good.  Ani DiFranco (like most female singer-songwriters) because she's just so damn passionate and brilliant.  I admire Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin because I just love singers who wail - so Nancy Wilson, too.  Early on, I definitely listened to Alanis Morrisette.

VMU:  Do you feel there is a lot of competition for female artist?

In my local scene?  Not really.  The girls I know in San Diego are fantastically talented and also my friends.   Nobody likes just one artist, so there's no reason to be competitive.  Whether someone appreciates your music or not has little to do with other artists.

VMU:  What are in the works now?  Any tours or new releases to look forward to?

I'm doing a NorCal release party in San Francisco after the San Diego one, then I'll probably head down to LA, play there for a bit and by the end of March I'd like to be out on the road.  I'd like to drive around the whole country.


VMU:  What could you say to the young up and comers trying to break into the scene any advise?

To people playing solo, I'd say hit the open mics, you can get so many gigs that way.  And record something ASAP - some open mics will record your performance (usually very cheap and very convenient).  But most importantly, search for your own sound.  Influences are inevitable, but make sure you're not ripping someone off.

VMU: Thanks so much for your time! Any last words?

Umm . . .   thank you Vic! 

Check out the website:   www.jenngrinels.com

VM UNDERGROUND

www.v-m-u.com

FEB 8 2005