JADELYN TALKS NAMES YOU GAVE ME
"I still don’t have it completely figured out"
Daniel John
What inspired you to write 'Names You Gave Me'?
I wrote 'Names You Gave Me' in efforts to give a voice to all of the bullying, fake-friends and mean girl behavior I have faced throughout my life. I didn’t have a great experience in school, and I’ve never been someone who had a ton of girl friends. I find myself envious of anyone who has a really close circle of friends, because I never had that, but I always wanted it. I think for a really long time I felt like I had to be someone I wasn’t in order for people to like me. Unfortunately, I know a lot of other women, and men, who feel the same way. As an influencer and someone who posts her entire life on social media, I don’t think a lot of people would look at me and believe that this is an ongoing battle for me, it’s easy to assume we all have perfect lives surrounded by a ton of friends, and that bullying doesn’t exist for some people. I always say that social media is just a highlight reel and it’s fake. I hope this song can help others feel less alone, and I really hope that in future generations, we can just be better friends to one another.
Being so transparent in your music, opening up and sharing in such an honest, vulnerable way, what does having that kind of outlet mean to you?
To be honest, I am someone who is naturally very introverted, and not confrontational at all. Music has always felt like a safe outlet for me to share what’s going on in my head. I want my listeners to feel like they are reading my diary when they listen to my songs. I want it to be real. I want it to be messy. And I want it to be relatable.
Do you tend to write about things as they’re happening. As a way to perhaps get out of those feelings, or more so come back to things later on to see things from a new perspective?
I’ve done both. I have written several songs mid heartbreak while crying on my bathroom floor. I’ve also written songs, like 'Names You Gave Me', from an older perspective. The cool thing about writing music is there are no rules. And chances are there will always be someone out there who listens and can relate. As humans we are way more connected than we may think. And music has a very unique way of connecting us all. As cool as it would be to reach a large audience, I do feel that even if my songs only reach one person and it resonates with them, it makes it all worth it.
You first learned to play guitar and sing country music together with your dad?
Growing up my dad was a huge country music–fan, and he was always singing, blasting it in the car, the garage, you name it. I would say his taste in music wore off on me at an early age for sure, and to this day I still love listening to country music and always think of him when doing so. As far as my personal breakthrough into the music world, I do have to give a large chunk of credit to my mom, as she was a huge influence on getting me to perform at an early age. I was in second grade when I took part in my first talent show and sang 'Jesus Take The Wheel' by Carrie Underwood. She took me to voice-lessons once a week, she helped me practice for all my talent shows, auditioned with me for musicals and national anthems, was in the front row cheering me on for every choir performance, and eventually convinced me to move to LA as an adult and fully pursue music as an artist. She was always supportive of me going outside of the norm, which I appreciated. I didn’t have any interest in becoming a doctor or working a traditional nine-to-five job. I also grew up in a small town where it was expected to go a more traditional route and get a job, get married, and start a family right after school. As parents I think the route I took would be easy to be worried about considering how difficult it is to break into the entertainment-industry. Even when times were hard for me and I wanted to give up, they never stopped believing in me and always encouraged me to keep going.
What would that little girl think of having so many people listening now. Heck, what does it mean for you right now?
I don’t think little me would believe it. (Laughs) It was weird seeing my name on Spotify and Apple Music for the first time. I remember even when my first release hit one million streams I was like, “Wait what? Me? But why?” (laughs) It’s a very surreal feeling and I often get caught up in the thick of it all and forget to look at how far I’ve really come. I’m proud of myself. And honestly even if nothing ever came of my music I would still be proud of myself because music is something that will be there forever. It’s a legacy you leave behind and something your future grandkids and great grandkids and future family will be able to listen to, how cool is that! I'm eternally grateful for every person who has ever listened to even one song of mine.
It’s been five years or so since you moved out to Los Angeles to pursue the dream. How do you look back on these years. Not least as someone who repeatedly has returned to themes such as authenticity, and toxicity, in your songwriting. What has it been like staying true to yourself, listening to your own voice and heart as well as finding a community that actually feels good for you?
It’s definitely tricky trying to navigate it all. I still don’t have it completely figured out. Entertainment is such a difficult industry to break in to and the music industry has drastically changed over the years. It’s incredibly saturated and with auto-tune and AI and the technology we now have, pretty much anyone can call themselves artist. Success is never something that’s guaranteed. You could work your ass off to finally get your “break” for twenty years and it never happens. You are really just taking a shot in the dark at it. So, trying to make it as an artist while also remaining true to yourself and your own values and standing your ground can definitely be a challenge. You have to love what you do and love it for the right reasons. I didn’t choose to be an artist to be famous. I chose to be an artist because I love making music. I think a lot of the opportunities I’ve been given circle back to the way I grew up. I was raised to be very humble and kind. In some ways, my kindness has made me a huge target, but at the end of the day being someone that other people enjoy working with will get you so far. There are so many beautiful and talented people in LA. Most the time you feel like a small fish in a big pond but if you can be beautiful, talented and a good person, that will go a long way. Remaining true to yourself will attract the right people. And it’s ok to say no to things or people that don’t serve you. I wish I learned that earlier.
Are you happy with where you're at now?
I’m content with where I am at, but I do feel like I still have a long ways to go. That is kind of how it works in life. You hit one milestone and then you work towards the next. I am making a point lately to stop and really enjoy where I am at. I think that is important. It’s a lot of pressure to constantly feel like you have to “out-do” yourself. But you can only control so much. As long as I continue to work hard, stay creative, and be a good person, I think that’s a success.
