Country artist Jessica Lynn chatted about her new music, future plans, and being a singer-songwriter in the digital age.
What inspires your music and songwriting?
Life! I think the best music is music that comes from your heart and not your head. Songs that tell stories that really mean something to you. I am a writer that really enjoys sitting down with my guitar or piano when the inspiration strikes, rather than scheduling a time to write.
I am heavily inspired by things in my own life as well as in the lives of the people around me and I have a personal story for every song in my catalogue. I think when your music is genuine, your listeners can relate closely to you because they have probably felt or experienced much of the same, and feel your authenticity in it.
What are your latest releases (singles or EPs) that you would like to tell us about?
I have a brand new single coming out on May 19th called “Mixed Signals” that I’m really excited about! The music video will debut the following week – May 26th.
This release really showcases my love for rock and soul and is a really fun, upbeat tune. It has a 60s retro feel as well. It’s also been very exciting to see my most recent album “Lone Rider” which I released in September of this past year still charting around the world after it debuted at No. 1 here in the USA and UK on Amazon Music. Thank you so much to everyone that has supported it!
What do your plans for the future include?
I am about to embark on an international tour which has been rescheduled and pushed from 2020. I am so excited to finally be playing these shows after so much time. The tour will take the band and I to six different countries and to some really amazing stages like the Grand Prix of Germany.
I’ll be debuting a lot of new music and a show we’ve been working very hard on. When we return we have several USA shows in addition to my “A Very Merry Country Christmas” tour we do every year for Toys for Tots which will have an extensive schedule this year. I can’t wait to post all the dates!
How does it feel to be an artist in the digital age? (Now with streaming and technology being so prevalent)
I think that this digital age offers so much opportunity for artists, but also so much competition with how easy it is now to create content, upload and distribute music. I really do feel that it is a wonderful thing that a young talented artist with no resources can write a song in their bedroom and potentially go viral or be seen by someone that can make their dreams come true.
It gives hope to creatives that they have a chance in a very difficult industry and I think that’s a beautiful thing I think it’s also important to use technology effectively for your art and to not just post anything or put music up to stream just because you can. This digital age saved my career when the pandemic hit and I lost all of my touring and work.
I was able to livestream every single week and connect with people in a special way which led to Pollstar naming me a Top 25 “Livestreamer of the Year” which I’m very proud of.
Which artists would you like to do a dream duet with and why?
My dream duet would be Richard Marx. I have been a very big fan ever since I was a little girl. He was my first concert ever and I had the opportunity to open for him a few years ago.
It was definitely a “pinch me” moment of thinking back to being that five-year-old girl waving at him in the stands to then performing with him right there in the wings cheering me on. I’ll never forget it!
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
This is also my favorite question. Success to me means being happy and loving what I get to wake up and do every day. I feel I am “successful” if I am moving forward, whether it’s 1 step or 1000 steps. As long as I feel I am growing professionally, personally, and artistically year after year, I am successful.
What would you like to tell our readers about your new music? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it)
The singles I will be releasing this year, starting with “Mixed Signals” on May 19, which one can pre-save by clicking here.
They definitely have a different flavor than my past releases. I grew up on so much rock and soul music and I have really let that side of me loose in this new material. It’s where I feel most comfortable and excited when making music and I feel passionately about being able to explore many different genres and sounds.”
To learn more about Jessica Lynn, follow her on Instagram.
