JJ WILDE – In-depth interview with Canadian rock star
Photo credit: Victoria McEwan
Ralph Beauchamp
J.J. Wilde is an amazing Canadian rock singer who has been on my radar for a while. I have been exposed to her energetic music since I listened to Sirius XM’s The Verge show in Canada. She released her first EP, Wilde’s eyes, firm hands 2019. ruthless 2020. ruthless It even won the 2021 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. J.J. Wilde Just released her latest EP, The Best of Me (Part 1).
WildeHer music is fiery and her personal style is downright ruthless. Think young Joan Jett with modern nuances. She takes no prisoners. Her tracks all share sublime arrangements and cinematic propulsion. but The Best of Me (Part 1) Shows another side Wilde. The songwriting is more complex and orchestrated. new EP Revealing a more mature artist with excellent textures and unique beauty.
The Best of Me (Part 1) Opening with the breezy “Arizona,” it features tenacious vocals and layered guitar riffs. “Best Of Me” has a laid-back country-rock vibe with a Sheryl Crow-like rhythm, and “Hands” brings emotional depth. you can feel it Wildeintonation of the national anthem. This is my favorite track on the record. “Say” rocks with an infectious rhythm. WildeThe voice was high-pitched, with fiery eloquence. “Bad Side” is brash, full of rough vocals and lava rhythms. Wilde has released a new single titled “Options” and is releasing it again Wilde Make new progress. The song has a pop sensibility and edgy beat. Wilde Will not be type converted. She is a free spirit.
J.J. Wilde It is an honor to be interviewed by AMP for this in-depth interview.
AMP: What made you fall in love with music?
Jie Jie: I’m a music lover. I started getting into it at a very young age. My family is very musical and my brother was a big influence on me. He had a gift that if he picked up any instrument, he could play it. I have other family members who have played as well. That totally sparked my interest in becoming a musician. Also, my parents are both music fans and they played music loudly in the house. I guess it’s just a product of my environment.
AMP: Who were your early inspirations?
Jie Jie: My first foray into music was largely based on my father’s taste. He is British and came to Canada when he was 14 years old. So he exposed me early on to artists like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Elvis Costello. My mother’s favorites were Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon. She also shaped my musical influences. From that point on, I started developing my own preferences, like AC/DC.
In my teenage years I became more folky. I discovered Damian Rice. Also, Adele and Amy Winehouse are my influences. The humble mouse is another. My inspirations do vary. As I got older, I started to appreciate other genres besides rock. If the music is good, I will listen to it. This is a big combination.
AMP: Can you walk us through your creative process?
Jiejie: 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 rely on that special feeling when I’m not thinking about it. I can be doing any mundane thing and suddenly a melody comes into my head. Then I run to my guitar and pray that I remember what happened when I hit the record. I don’t usually get full songs. Most of the time, it’s just a melody or a chorus. Later I went back and finished it. It was this initial spark that started the whole process.
AMP: Do you feel like your new EP and single have evolved musically compared to your previous work?
Jiejie: Yes I do. This is the goal of any artist. As an artist, you should be constantly evolving and growing. As we expand as humans, our music should reflect that change. Obviously, it’s comfortable to stay in the safe zone, but I like to push the boundaries. By moving forward, you learn what you are capable of. A lot has happened in my life since I first posted, and hopefully that change has changed my art.
I also try to change genres more. My earlier songs were a bit raw and brutal, but my new songs are a new step forward while still having energy. I enjoy playing the softer side of music, which is new to me. My voice and life are constantly changing.
AMP: What themes are embedded in your songs?
Jiejie: This is constantly changing for me as well. The only constant is personal growth. I’ve been on this path since I was a teenager. I’m constantly trying to find myself, figure out why I’m here and what I’m doing. I think a lot of people feel this way. Once you think you have it figured out, life throws you a curve ball. I find that my music reflects those curveballs. Navigating life’s path is a constant struggle, and that feeds entirely into my songwriting. Themes of self-empowerment, recklessness, mistakes, and chaos are all woven into the soul of my music. It’s all about life.
AMP: Is there a band (past or present) that you would love to be in?
Jiejie: I’m a huge fan of Tom Petty and I thought it would be a great band to be in. I’ve never met him or seen him live, but he seems to be the coolest guy. I can’t imagine sitting in that van not being fun. Another band is Kings Of Leon.
Also, I would love to play pool with Amy Winehouse. She is one of my favorite people of all time. We were playing a gig in Camden, England, and I noticed a big photo of her on the wall of this pub. It turns out this is the bar she frequents and when she can’t pay the bar bill, they make her work the next day. Just sitting there is like being in heaven.
AMP: What do you hope your fans take away from your music?
Jie Jie: I think art is subjective. Music is art and it affects everyone differently. For me, I just want them to feel something and feel connected in some way, and hopefully I can help them overcome some of their illnesses. That’s what music does to me. Whether happy or sad, my songs are the soundtrack of my life, and I hope my songs can join the soundtrack of others so they can continue to walk their own path.
AMP: When you’re not on the road or in the studio, what do you do in your down time?
Jie Jie: I like hiking. I am a passionate outdoors person. When I walk my dog in the woods, I usually get drunk. Enjoying nature helps me reduce stress. It’s the only time I don’t have thoughts running through my head. Just hearing the rustle of the wind through the trees keeps me focused. I know it sounds corny, but that’s what I really like.
AMP: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Jie Jie: Jessie Reyez would be a dream to work with. She’s such a strong badass woman. That would be my number one. Bob Dylan would be another thrill. Just being in the same room with him was incredible. He could compose poetry out of anything. I would love to watch him work and write songs.
AMP: What’s next for JJ Wilde?
Jiejie: I know I just released an EP, but there’s more music to come. My new song “Options” just came out and it’s leaning towards the next project. It took a few years to create this new music and now it’s all out. More music and more shows. I won’t stop.
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