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Up Close and Personal with Jessica Rhaye
September Issue, 2007
Soundwaves on the Landwash

CONTINUED >>>

Soundwaves: One thing about your more recent background that’s of interest is the gap between your first CD and your second, a gap of six years, if I’m not mistaken. What accounted for the sizable period between releases?
Jessica: When I released my first record I remember playing at the ECMAs, where I was paired up with a band, and Ed Woodworth, who produced my new record, was in that band. I got talking with Ed, and he was interested in furthering my career and really working on some of my new songs. So it was through working with Ed that I just kind of knew that I had to work on my songwriting.

Soundwaves: You certainly took the long-term approach.
Jessica: I just had to mature. I think I needed more life experience in order for my songs to become better. So I went back to school. I took three years of college to become a graphic designer. And the whole time while I was working in school I was writing, and I did some co-writing. And again, Ed really was the one who said ‘You should try it.’

Soundwaves: OK.
Jessica: Yeah, so everybody kind of agreed that I needed to just work on the songs, just really work on my writing and work on my guitar playing and my whole presentation. And I agreed. I needed it.

Soundwaves: That suggests you were reasonably young at the release of your first CD.
Jessica: I was. I was very green. [Laughs.] I expected a limo to come pick me up – just sign a contract and take me away. So, I think I just needed some life experience.

Soundwaves: I imagine you’ve gotten it over the last number of years.
Jessica: I think so, yeah. I’m 30 years old now, and I run my own company. I’ve seen a lot more. Even my partner, my manager, the two of us, have really grown and we’re starting to understand the business.

Soundwaves: I wonder if you could say a few words about yourself as a performer?
Jessica: I perform my own songs. Depending on the show, I’ll either play it solo acoustic or, what I prefer, is to play with my band, because we can play the songs exactly the way they are on the record. My music is like a pop-folk-organic type of music, with a pop feel to it. I write songs about life experiences – some of them are my own, some of them are ones that people have told me about. And my songs are inspired by books, movies… Just life, and love.

Soundwaves: Do you get the sense that your songwriting process is changing over time? Or is it still pretty well the way you’ve always done it?
Jessica: It has definitely changed. There was no structure to my songwriting when I was a kid. No choruses or bridges or verses – just melodies, with words thrown in. Even for my first record, it was a challenge to work on the songs I had written. They were very free form. [Laughs.] But in that four-, five-, six-year period where I was working on just my songwriting, and working with other writers, I realized that the chorus needs a hook and there should be a bridge leading up to the chorus. I just really worked out my songwriting skills. And it’s something I still work on now.

Soundwaves: I couldn’t help notice your use of the word ‘work’. Can you give us an idea of what music, as a job, requires of you?
Jessica: Well, it can become a job. Everyday my manager will send me things, like ‘I need this or I need that.’ There are things during the day that I have to do on the backend, that are not performing. And performing can be a job as well, because there are things I have to take time out for – to prepare and get ready and rehearse. That’s all part of the music side of the job.

Soundwaves: Yes.
Jessica: But at the same time it’s fun, so I don’t look at it like ‘Oh, I’ve got to go to work today.’

Soundwaves: That’s the performing and rehearsing side of it. But the backend, as you’ve called it? Do you enjoy doing those tasks?
Jessica: I don’t mind. That’s just preparing things, and I’m very organized. So I have all my CDs set aside, and my envelopes and my posters. [Laughs.] I kind of enjoy doing it, but it takes time out of the day and it’s probably a side that most people don’t realize that has to happen, even just replying to fan emails. I have to sit down and take an hour and reply to my fans and update my website. I do the graphic design for my music too, so preparing posters and so forth. It takes a lot of time. It’s not just something where you snap your fingers and it’s done.

Soundwaves: Any particular goals for the near future?
Jessica: I’ve been writing a lot, working with Ken Tobias, my writing partner. I’d like to, perhaps in the late winter or spring, start recording a new album. That’s something in the back of my mind. For now, we’re just getting the strongest songs together, the ones we think would make for a good recording.

Soundwaves: And in terms of performing or touring?
Jessica: I’ve got a crazy-busy schedule coming up. I’m going on tour in the UK, with Matt Anderson and Dave Gunning. In November. This’ll be my first official tour – I’ve never done anything like this before, so I’m really super looking forward to it. Both Matt and Dave are awesome, so that’s going to be a really fun trip.

Soundwaves: Good for you.
Jessica: We’re also due to release my record ‘Short Stories’ in the UK – in November, as well. So that’s in the works. I’ll also be playing the Toronto International Film Festival, in their Canadian Music Café. That’s a really big deal. Like, last year they had Ron Sexsmith and Sarah Slean. Yeah, I’m really, really looking forward to that. And there’s also the Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax. And Contact East in Liverpool, not far from Halifax. So September and October for me are really packed.

Soundwaves: But that’s a good thing. We’ll close by asking if you have any secrets of life? Or any philosophy of life you’d like to pass along?
Jessica: Oh, I’m not really a philosopher. [Laughs.] I could pass on a tip to any singers out there.

Soundwaves: I’m sure they’d be delighted to take it.
Jessica: Peppermint tea and honey. It’s the best medicine for your voice.

Soundwaves: Peppermint tea and honey – it’s a secret no more.