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MUSIC: Jianda speaks to U People

interviewed by Tika Milan

Cali native Jianda, a regular Pride, Open Mic and Feature performer, creates music that runs the gamut of genres including electronica, conscious soul, jazz and acoustic folk. In various venues, she primarily performs as a solo acoustic act but also improvs with DJs, rap artists and other artists. Her songs, “Always Nice”, “Happily Ever”, and “A La Ronde” were featured on February’s U People mixtape. Jianda sat down with me to discuss, being queer, singing in French and the inspiration of the California sun.

I loved your song, “A La Ronde”. What does it mean?

I wrote those lyrics quite a while ago. It’s basically about chasing someone, about unrequited love and she realizes the lover she’s chasing isn’t feeling it. A La Ronde is a French phrase that means going round and round. Or kind of a loop-de-loop kind of feeling. It’s one of those playful but deep songs, depending on how you’re feeling it.

Why did you choose to write that song in French instead of English?

Sometimes it’s just speaking the unspeakable. Sometimes it’s more inspirational to do something in another language and express yourself in a new way. I’ve always resonated with France and particularly writers from the Harlem Renaissance. There were a lot of people at that time who ex-patriated to France and I feel that that is articulating in some kind of way. Maybe not consciously, but I just know that it definitely has stuck with me spiritually.

Are you from Southern Cali originally?

Yeah I am. I spent most of my formative years in Orange County. As an adult I spent a lot of time in San Diego.

How does being in California affect your music?

Well I’m definitely entrenched by the beach and the sun and the warmth of the weather and the wide open spaces. I feel a connection with nature and ocean most of the time. Nature always understands and is always there for us.

How do you approach your music?

I’m always writing poetry and lyrics. I always have melodies going through my head but I try to make it a more organic process so when I go to the studio I flow.

I try to get an overriding sense that will infuse with the song and set my intention for every song. I want it to be a healing process I think that’s why I’ve taken a long hiatus from music because I really want it to be a healing thing for myself and others.

I’ve been performing at a lot of pride events, but I haven’t recorded in a while.

How many albums do you have?

I have one CD of self released songs buy my songs have been featured on a few albums. Maybe about seven total. I think I’m most known for my work with Om Records. I was on their Om Lounge 10 release which was a ten year anniversary for them. It was flattering to be featured on such a prestigious release. I’ve been listening to House, and Soul and Electronica for so many years. I feel like having my love for that music reflected back was very cool.

What artists influence your music? If at all.

It’s hard to narrow it down to a handful or artist. I think it’s more so genres that influence me. I’m really moved by deep house music.

There’s this folk singer named Elizabeth Cotton. She passed in 1987. She’s black legendary folk singer. Her spirit has been speaking to me for a long time.

For lack of a better word, I can say I’m queer. I’ve been in so many different scenes. I’ve been in the Goth scene, I’ve been in the LGBT scene. I’ve hung out with African-American women and men. I just feel like, particularly recently, I’ve been involved in projects for black lesbians. I have two singles that will be in some films, the first one is She Wasn’t Last Night” that’s a Griot Soul Film’s release. The director is Dareese Jones and then Faith Tremble has a film called Family. I feel like I have a heart for African American lesbian projects but I’ve had so much wounding by African American lesbians who feel that you’re suppose to be in a certain box. That’s why Elizabeth Cotton spoke to me because if you close your eyes she sounds like just a sweet little old lady. Some might say she doesn’t sing in tune and may not see the struggles she went through. ..she taught herself how to play music and she was a domestic. She wrote a lot of folk songs. Her spirit and her music really blows me away.

Lets go back to being queer. How does your queer identity come through in your music?

I was with my ex girlfriend for 3 years and that’s when I really started verbalizing that I’m a lesbian. And I think it was for political reasons. We were in a strong loving committed relationship and I wanted to commit to that word for her and it felt right at the time. And it still does. You can call me many things. We’re many things and we’re one thing. Since my partner and I have broken up, she decided that she was trans. So now, she is he so now the label lesbian doesn’t apply. I think how it affects my music is that I’m always trying to get back to that love…that pre-natal love where your just like at one with yourself and your connected to your mother and the earth and your father. Just this oneness. I feel like I’m trying to get back to that at some point and express that. I’m always trying to throw healing and calming vibrations out there. I’m a big softy.

© 2008 I Love U People.