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.

Tarrah Reynolds talks with U People

Interviewed by: Tika Milan

U PEOPLE: Your song “Where I want to go”, which is a beautiful song, was featured on February U People Mix. Where did that song come from?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I wrote that song when I was fasting. I was so clear minded. I don’t know if you’ve ever fasted, but it’s that feeling of clarity and I felt that I could just see things that I hadn’t been able to see. I was basically talking about paradise and heaven.

U PEOPLE: How long did you fast for?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I fasted for like 14th days.

U PEOPLE: What other things inspire your work?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I just don’t push myself. I just wait for it to come. I honestly try not to force it. When I do that, it’s so irritating. I’m never happy with what I come up with. So I try to be relaxed and let it come to me as natural as possible.

U PEOPLE: You attended Julliard and play the violin. How did the transition to guitarist and singer song writer come about?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: While I was at Julliard, what really opened me up and made me see there were other possibilities was when someone called me to be in a D’Angelo video. That was the first thing I ever did outside of classical music. It was the first professional thing I did outside of an orchestra.

U PEOPLE: What did you do in the D’Angelo video?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: Just played the violin. I was a big fan of his and to able to work with someone outside of classical that I loved just made me want to do more of it.

U PEOPLE: How do you find the balance between what you learned in school and what you’ve learned about your creativity outside of academia?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: Sometimes I complain about Julliard, but I honestly am so glad I went there. I have better technical ability and such a literal understanding of music. That really helps me when I go sing with other singer-song writers or rappers, getting it happens so quickly. I’m very grateful for my education.

U PEOPLE: You’ve played with a variety of people from Tamar Kali and Imani Uzuri to Jay-Z and Kanye West.  How are able to span over so many different musical styles

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I just really try not to have a specific style. Some people try to put me in a category, but I’ve never been one to focus on one particular style. I’ve never really been hardcore about one thing in particular.

U PEOPLE: You’re music sounds very jazzy and folk-y You kind of remind me of Joni Mitchell, but black. There is still soulfulness to it. How would you describe your sound?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: I’m a big fan of Joni Mitchell. Melody is very very important to her and she is very crafty with it. I really love when people take the time to create a beautiful melody. I make my music melodic and soulful and pretty.

U PEOPLE: So what do you have coming up?

TARRAH REYNOLDS: Right now I’m trying to do a proper recording. I have a lot of live stuff. It’s cool but I want to take it to the next step and have something more polished. I hope to have it finished at the end of the year.

 

 "I Want to Go"-February 2008 U People Mix [4:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Visit Tarrah Reynolds at www.myspace.com/misstarrah

Learn about the U People Download Music Mix Card here.
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Prepare for Valerie Troutt

 

 U People interview wth Valerie Troutt [6:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Valerie Troutt-Prepare for the future

Know more: http://www.myyspace.com/valerietroutt

Here is the work-in-progress documentary short inspired by Valerie’s new album “Prepare for a Future”

The Onliest

The Onliest featuring twin sisters Ganessa (Dez) and Tiffany (Zelle) James are one of our favorite groups to check out here in Brooklyn. They are also featured on the U People February Mix by DJ Lynnee. To give you a taste of their acoustic goodness check this impromptu performance video with them singing their spin on Rachelle Farelle’s “I Know You Love Me”; while chillin’ in the crib. Click image to for more info and link to their myspace page at www.myspace.com/theonliest

3 Questions: Red Summer

3 Questions is all you need to ask of artists who move us:

I first met Red Summer at Sistafest in 2004. I thought she was barely over 21 and come to find out she is a mother, grandmother, teacher, poet and fellow sister on the grind. Over the years our friendship has grown as she maintains her place on my short list of poets who do it for me. She flew all the way from Chicago just to help out on the set of my music video Make A Move and subsequently found herself in the U People documentary. She then donated the song “Stillettos” to the U People soundtrack and has sealed her place in my life as sister and peer. So it was my pleasure for her to be the first to answer the following questions:

1. When was the first time you experienced the sensation of love (outside the context of a lover); when was it defined for you?

my grandparents seemed, to me, to have a marriage of convenience. i never saw them argue or fight, but i never saw them kiss or hold each other either. when my grandmother was recovering from cancer treatments, she was very weak and the chemo left her skin in a dry, flaky state. the top layer would crumble under your touch. my grandfather came to the hospital and rubbed handfulls of eucerine cream into her skin each day to soothe her. one day, while watching him dutifully tend to my grandmother, i burst into tears. i realized that love is not what i thought it was at all. their love had embodied the vow we so readily take for granted. they took care of each other until death parted them.

2. What is the heaviest thing you ever carried and when did you put it down?

the heaviest thing i ever carried was obligation. i did so many things in my life because i believed that was what i was supposed to do if i was good or nice or worthy. i did things because my parents wanted it, my teachers or principal wanted it, my religion dictated it or i thought that as a woman, i was supposed to do it. putting it down has been a struggle that has lasted almost 10 years. in 1999, i refused to go into a new phase with antiquated notions and live another year unhappily or untruthfully. so, slowly but surely, i’ve been unlearning all of those ideas and creating my own reality.

3. When did you accept the title artist and how have you defined that for yourself?

i was raised to respect art. my mother surrounded me with musicians and singers and actors my entire childhood. i wanted to be… a school teacher. it wasn’t until i really started going to open mics and reading my poetry, that i began taking my writing seriously. i took my first summer off from teaching and traveled around the country doing open mics. then every summer after that was dedicated to giving myself back what i had been giving my students. my art is my therapy, it’s my testimony, it’s my confession and my revelation. i don’t know how else i would have been able to define who i am if it were not for my body of work.

[audio:stillettos.mp3]

Contact Red Summer at http://www.myspace.com/redsummer

 

 Stillettos: Play Now | Play in Popup