JJ WILDE – AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH THE CANADIAN ROKER

JJ WILDE – AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH THE CANADIAN ROKER

Photo: Victoria McEwan

By Ralph Beauchamp

Jay Jay Wilde is an amazing Canadian rocker who has been on my radar for quite some time. Since listening to Sirius XM's Canadian outlet The Verge, I've been exposed to her dynamic music. Her first EP was released, Wilde Eyes, Steady Hands in 2019. Her self-titled debut album followed Ruthless in 2020. Along the way, her songs have hit many Canadian music charts and Ruthless it even won Rock album of the Year at the 2021 Juno Awards. Jay Jay Wilde just released her new EP, Best Of Me (Part 1).

WildeHer music is fiery and her personal style is downright ruthless. Think a young Joan Jett with a modern twist. He takes no prisoners. Her tracks are both deeply sassy with great arrangements and cinematic promos. But the Best Of Me (Part 1) it shows another side of him Wilde. The songwriting is more refined and orchestrated. New ER delivers a more mature artist with stellar textures and unique beauty.

Best Of Me (Part 1) opens with the airy “Arizona” featuring insistent vocals and layers of intricate guitar riffs. “Best Of Me” has a relaxed country rock vibe similar to a Sheryl Crow groove, “Hands” brings the emotional depth. You can feel Wildehis hymns. It's my favorite track on the record. “Say” has an infectious beat. Wildehis voice soars with incredible eloquence. “Bad Side” is spontaneous and filled with booming vocals and a molten lava beat. Wilde has already released a new single called “Options” once again Wilde takes new ground. The track has pop sensibilities and an uptempo beat. Wilde no printing will be done. He is a free spirit.

Jay Jay Wilde was kind enough to sit down with AMP for this in-depth interview.

AMP: What got you into music?

JJ: I am a music lover. I joined very early. My family is extremely musical, my older brother was a big influence. He had the talent that when he picked up any instrument, he could play it. I had other family members who played as well. That got me interested in becoming a musician. In addition, my parents were huge music fans who played their music loudly throughout the house. I guess it was just a product of my environment.

AMP: Who were your early inspirations?

JJ: My first foray into music was largely based on my father's tastes. He is British and came to Canada at 14. He had a big pulse in the British underground scene. So early on he exposed me to artists like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Elvis Costello. My mother's favorites were Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon. It also framed my musical influences. From there, I started to develop my own tastes like AC/DC.

In my teenage years I went more popular. I discovered Damien Rice. Also, Adele and Amy Winehouse came through my influences. Modest Mouse is another one. My inspirations are really varied. As I grew older, I began to appreciate genres other than rock. If the music is good, I'll listen. Everything is a big mix.

AMP: Can you give us some insight into your creative process?

JJ: It looks different every day. It mostly starts when I get some kind of inspiration. It's hard for me to sit down and tell myself to be creative. For me, I have to lean into that special feeling I get when I'm not thinking about it. I can be doing anything mundane and suddenly a melody pops into my head. Then I run to my guitar and pray I remember what happened as soon as I hit record. I usually don't get a full song. Most of the time it's just a melody or a chorus. I come back later to finish it. It is this initial spark that starts the whole process.

AMP: Do you feel that your new EP and single is an evolution in musical style from your previous material?

JJ: Yes. This is the goal of every artist. As an artist, you should be constantly evolving and growing. As we expand as humans, our music must reflect this change. Obviously, it's comfortable to stay in your comfort zone, but I like to push the boundaries. As you progress, you learn what you are capable of. A lot has happened in my life since my first release and I hope this change has transformed my art.

I also try to bend items a lot more. My early songs were kind of raw and wild, but my new tracks have a new step while still having a kick. I'm having fun playing with the softer side of music that's new to me. My sound and life are constantly changing.

AMP: What kind of themes do you incorporate into your songs?

JJ: This is also constantly changing for me. The only constant is personal growth. I have been on this journey since I was a teenager. I am constantly trying to find myself and understand why I am here and what I am doing. I think a lot of people feel that way. Just when you think you have things figured out, life throws you a curveball. I find my music reflects these curves. It's a constant struggle to navigate your life's paths and that totally comes into my songwriting. Themes of self-reliance, recklessness, mistakes and messiness all find their way into the soul of my music. Everything is a matter of life.

AMP: Is there a band (past or present) you'd like to be a part of?

JJ: I'm a huge Tom Petty fan and I think it would be a great band to be in. I never met him or saw him live, but he seemed like the coolest guy. I couldn't imagine being in that van and it wasn't fun. Another band would be Kings Of Leon.

Also, I would love to shoot the pool with Amy Winehouse. It's one of my all-time favorites. We played a show in Camden, England and I found this bar that had a big picture of her on the wall. Turns out it was a bar she frequented and when she couldn't pay the bar tab, they made her work the next day. Sitting there was like being in heaven.

AMP: What do you want your fans to take away from your music?

JJ: I think art is subjective. Music is art and it hits everyone differently. For me, I just want them to feel something and feel connected in some way, I hope I can help them overcome some of their pain. That's what music does for me. Whether happy or sad, my songs are the soundtrack of my life, and I hope my songs are added to someone else's soundtrack to continue their journey.

AMP: What do you do in your downtime when you're not on the road or in the studio?

JJ: I like to hike. I am an avid outdoorsman. I usually get stoned walking my dog ​​in the woods. Enjoying nature helps me decompress. It's the only time my mind isn't swimming with ideas. I am fully present listening to the wind rustling through the trees. I know it sounds cheesy, but I really like this.

AMP: If you could collaborate with any artist (again past or present) who would it be and why?

JJ: Jessie Reyez would be a dream collaboration. She is such a badass strong woman. That would be my number one. Bob Dylan would be another thrill. It would be incredible to be in a room with him. He can make poetry out of anything. I would love to watch him work and write a song.

AMP: What's next for JJ Wilde?

JJ: I know I just released an EP, but more music is coming. There's my new song, “Options” that just dropped that leans into that next project. It's been a tough few years building all this new music and now it's all coming out. More music and more shows. I do not stop.

Views: 41