Chit Chatting Singer Jes Loren
Written by: Jill Sheets
Jes Loren
Picture credit: Jes Loren
Recently we got the honor of interviewing up and coming singer Jes Loren. She will be releasing her CD soon. So keep on the look out for it. Continue to read and learn more about Jes’ music and about herself.
R: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
J: I am a sixteen year old musician/singer/songwriter, and am releasing my very own CD really soon. I have been performing for as long as I can remember, and I know that one day I will be performing on giant stages in front of thousands of people. I am also a dancer and an actress.
R: When did you start to sing? Was singing something that you had always wanted to do?
J: I started singing when I was very little. I officially started singing lessons at seven years old, but even before that music was a major part of life.
R: How did you get interested in the Music Industry?
J: I wrote my first song when I was eleven. Then I started with piano lessons, and began writing more music. Every summer since sixth grade I did a musical theatre program, because I was really into that when I was younger. Last summer, I took off and decided to spend my summer writing music and producing a CD. I then realized writing and recording was my calling, and there is nothing else I would rather do.
R: Whose idea was it to post videos on Youtube? How long have you been posting videos?
J: I sang the National Anthem at a baseball game which my Dad recorded and proceeded to post on Toutube. He named our channel ‘surfhouse’ and that video, ’13 Year Old Sings National Anthem’ now has 1,169,169 views. So awesome!! Ever since then we have been posting videos, and www.youtube.com/surfhouse has really taken off.
R: You also play the guitar, how long have you been playing? Do you play any other musical instruments?
J: Guitar actually isn’t my main instrument, although it seems that way because the two songs I have out, ‘Home in California’ and ‘Beauty Queen’ are recorded with guitar. I’ve been playing since last summer. Piano is my main instrument, and the songs on my upcoming CD will really show that off. I’ve been playing piano for about four or five years. I also play the flute (which you will also hear on the CD!). I started playing flute in the school band in fifth grade. Whatever instrument I play depends on my mood.
R: You also write your own music. How long have you been writing, and what was your first song about?
J: I remember when I wrote my first song. I was eleven, and I wrote it in my room on a very small keyboard we had. My first song is really powerful, and I play it to this day whenever I need some inspiration. It is called ‘Becoming Who We Are’. Nothing can stop us from becoming who we are.
R: What is your writing process when you write music? Do you start with the words? How long does it normally take you to write a song?
J: Oh man… that is a good question! There are so many ways. Sometimes I will write the lyrics first with just the melody behind them, and then later come up with the accompaniment. Other times I will write a piano part or guitar part down, and then put words to it. The time it takes me to write a song varies a lot. One time it took me a half hour to write a song, and it is one of my best. Then there are the songs that I must find the words I need or do the research I need to do to get the feeling I want. I wrote this one song that took me about a month to write. I was looking for a certain feeling.
R: How do you come up with the ideas for your songs?
J: I take ideas from life experiences. Not only from my life experiences though; most of the time it is from my friends’ experiences. I write stuff that happens to them in my point of view.
R: Out of all the songs that you have written, which one is your favorite and why?
J: After much thought, I can’t choose!! (laughs). Well I have a few favorites, but my absolute favorite is going to be on the CD. It’s called ‘That Summer Song’. It is the most fun to play.
R: How would you describe your music?
J: My first songs have been really chill, like something you could take the top down in your convertible and just relax to. The new music really rocks.
R: We loved the “Beauty Queen- Tribute to Taylor & Miley “(Swift & Cyrus). Was that something you came up with?
J: Yep! They have made some pretty good music, and I figured it would be a nice way to show them that. Hopefully one day they will see it and enjoy it!
R “Beauty Queen” is a great song. How did you come up with the idea for the song?
J: I got that idea from just being in high school and watching the circumstances around me. It is about a girl who wants to be loved and fall in love, just like most girls in high school want.
R: We read that you have a CD coming out soon. Do you have a release date and a title to your CD yet?
J: The CD will be out very soon. We are shooting for very late this month or early June. The title still has not come to me yet, but it will soon enough!
R: Where can people get your music?
J: Anyone can go to my website, http://www.jesloren.com and download my music right from there. It is also available on iTunes, emusic, Napster, Myspace Music, and many others. To download my song ‘Home in California’ for free, just click here: http://music.surfsongrecords.com/
R: What is your favorite song to perform?
J: Out of all my songs, I have to say “Perfect Place” is my favorite to perform at the moment. That varies from time to time, of course.
R: If you could tour with anyone who would it be and why?
J: I would absolutely love to tour with Sheryl Crow. She is one of my idols. Her music is the best. I can listen to her music all day long.
R: When you were 13 years-old, you got to sing the National Anthem at the Sussex Skyhawks station. What was that like? Where you nervous?
J: When I was thirteen, I was well prepared, and performing in front of large crowds did not make me nervous at all. I have to be honest, I love being in the spotlight. Walking off of the field that day felt great; I was getting compliments left and right—that was a good day.
R: What singers and bands can be found on your ipod or mp3 player? What is your favorite song by each one?
J: There are so many. *grabs iPod* Ok, here goes. The All American Rejects- ‘Move Along’, Bob Marley, Bon Jovi- ‘Runaway’, Eric Hutchinson- ‘Rock & Roll’, The Goo Goo Dolls, Jason Mraz, Jimmy Eat World, The Killers, Led Zeppelin, The Ramones, Sara Bareilles, Sheryl Crow, Steve Vai, stellastarr*, Van Halen- ‘Little Guitars’, The White Stripes, The Who, Yes, and the Beatles, to name a few.
R: We read that you also like to dance and act. If you could make an appearance on any TV show what would it be?
J: Yes I do. If I could be on any TV show it would most definitely be ‘Glee’. I don’t really watch much TV though, and when I do, it is mostly Nick @ Nite. I’d rather spend my time rehearsing!
Jes Loren
Image credit: Jes Loren
R: How does it feel to have someone make a fan website for you?
J: It makes me feel like my music is really being listened to and enjoyed, which is the best feeling in the world. Plus, it is so cool to read about people that look up to you who you have never even met. Thank you Em Arnold and Steve Williiams!
R: Speaking of fan pages, have you seen the Facebook site “Vote Jes Loren For GLEE!!!?” What do you think about that someone making that site? Do you watch the show “Glee?”
J: Yes I saw that site, and it was really exciting when I did. Plus, so many people became fans of that page. I have seen a few episodes of Glee, and it is a great show.
R: Who has been your biggest influence in your life?
J: I have to say my parents have been the biggest influence in my life. They are the ones who drive me to all my lessons, and have raised me so well. My Dad and I record and perform my music. He plays the guitar and bass. He is such an influential and inspirational person.
R: What has been your favorite memory so far?
J: So far, one of my favorites is definitely from when I was very little. When I just had begun going to singing lessons, my singing teacher lived on the sixteenth floor of the building she lived in. I was always afraid of taking the elevator, so I would climb the sixteen flights of stairs with my Dad every time I had a lesson. I did not help that the one time we actually took the elevator, it almost broke and the doors opened between two floors. As a little kid I was always up for it, plus my Dad got a good workout.
R: What is the best advice you have ever gotten and by who?
J: I have to say definitely from my Dad. He always tells me to have ‘zero expectations’, that way, there is no way I can’t be happy with what I’ve got. Our motto is: ‘The sky’s the limit—we own, we create, we surf, we live.’
R: What advice would you give teenage girls?
J: I would tell them to keep their heads held high. Work on new ideas, do everything your heart desires, and, I know this is cliché, but really work hard towards your goals. I am working hard on mine. I have not made it to where I want to be yet, but I know someday that I will if I keep on working at this pace. Never give up, because the sky is the limit.
R: What are some of your future goals?
J: After the CD is released, my major goal is to get one of my songs, any one, onto the radio. I also want to play at a bunch of places and have a good time.
R: What do you do to relax? Do you have any hobbies?
J: I am a major beach bum. To relax, I head down by the ocean. If that is not an option, I go for a bike ride or a jog. I love working out, so that can be considered as one of my hobbies. I also like to play basketball.
R: Are you on any social networking sites? If so, which ones and what are their addresses? What about youtube? Do you have an official website?
J: Yes I am on so many! My youtube: http://www.youtube.com/surfhouse, twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jesloren, myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jesloren, iLike: http://www.ilike.com/artist/Jes+Loren, and facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jes-Loren/186978573939?ref=ts. I do have an official website which you can find by clicking here: http://www.jesloren.com. It is really awesome, by the way!
R: What is it like to be able to communicate with you fans? Do you personally answer your fan mail, tweets and Myspace/ Facebook emails from your fans?
J: I personally answer as many messages as I possibly can. In my spare time I log onto my accounts and answer all tweets or messages from my fans, and I love being able to talk to them and get their opinions.
Jes Loren
Picture credit: Jes Loren
R: What are five things people may not know about you?
J: Hmmm…
1) I want to live in Hawaii when I get older.
2) I hate painting my nails.
3) I am an extremely organized person.
4) My room is completely pink due to the fact that I designed it when I was ten.
5) I rehearse every day no matter what, dead or alive!
R: Do you have any charities that are close to your heart? If so, which ones and tell us about them.
J: I played at an event called ‘Music for Milestones’, and all of the proceeds went to a charity called Autism Speaks which is dedicated to increasing autism awareness, funding for research, and prevention and treatments. Also, once I begin playing shows, I want a certain amount to go to Livestrong which benefits the lives of people who are affected by cancer. My Grandpa Ciro died of bone cancer in 2006, and I really want to donate and help out in some way.
R: Other than this one, what is the strangest question you have ever been asked?
J: (laughs) there are so many. “Jes, what is your favorite pokemon?” To answer that, Weedle. I also love it when people ask me who I am, after they’ve seen my youtube/facebook/myspace page. I’m like, “Well, weren’t you just on my page?”
R: Is there anything else you would like to add or say to your fans?
J: I really would like to thank you all for tuning in, and subscribing to my youtube page/checking out my websites! It really means a lot. Even the smallest thing like going to my website is a big deal for me, because it shows that my work is paying off more and more each day. Thank you so much.
R: Jes, thank you for the interview. Have a great day.
J: Thanks! You too!
Tags: actress, dancer, Jes Loren, musician, singer, Sixteen Year old, songwriter, up and coming
