Interviews: Jaelyn

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Post-Hardcore/Progressive Metal band Jaelyn from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

The band name is my first name. This whole thing started out as my solo project. I have been in hardcore and metal bands for 25 years but I had never done anything by myself. I wanted to try something that was just me. COVID gave me the time and opportunity to try it out and I'm happy to say, it is still going well.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

When I started writing for this, I didn't really have any genre in mind. I just wrote and what came out of me was this. Every time I write a song, this is just what comes out. That is most likely why people say they can't really pin it down to one particular type of music. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing though.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

There was no band to start off. It was just my solo project. Once I wrote and put out a full first album, people around me started saying that I should actually form a band so I could play out. That is when I started looking for members to actually play the music live. There is still no real band to this day as I am going to be using revolving members for a while at least.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

As far as my favorite bands, I am pretty much stuck in the late '90s and early 2000s as far as my music taste. One of my all-time favorite bands is a band called Into Another. I would have to say they influenced me quite a bit in the style that I write today.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

All of my songs are pieces of a story that I wrote many years ago. They all take place in a universe in the distant future. Good versus evil, freedom versus oppression, and light versus dark; are all themes from the epic space opera that my brain came up with. Each song tells a little bit of the larger story that will be told over a series of albums while having personal meaning to me as well.

6. Where was your last gig?

My last string of shows was a small tour up into the Upper East Coast of the United States.

7. Where would you like to act?

I will play pretty much anywhere that will have me. I would never say no to a show or a concert. One of my favorite parts of doing this is performing in front of people. It drives me and gives me purpose. Every show is different and special no matter how many people are there. I would play for one person or I would play for a million people. Both shows would be equally amazing in my mind.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

It's hard to really nail down the style of music that I do. Some would say progressive metal while others would say hard rock. Yet others would say there are other things in the themes that don't really match anything. So, I'm honestly not sure. If I had to say a band I would probably say Coheed And Cambria comes the closest to the style that comes out of me. I would love to be able to play with them some day.

9. Whom not?

I'm not really one to turn down any shows, however, I would absolutely refuse to play with any hate-filled bands or artists that use their platform to spread hate and intolerance about the LGBTQIA people. If they are white supremacist or Nazi-related in any way, you can bet I would absolutely refuse to have anything to do with them.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I suppose when I first started playing in bands many years ago in the mid '90s, I was scared to come out on stage and play. It has everything to do with confidence in what you are doing. If you know your parts well enough, all you need to do is focus on what you're doing and not who you're doing it in front of. Don't worry about messing up on stage. Everyone messes up. It is part of a live performance. If people insist on you being perfect then I would tell them to just go listen to the record.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

As I said earlier the band Into Another was a big influence on me. After that, I would say. I like pretty much every genre of music though. It's rare that I can't find something I like in whatever I'm listening to. I would not limit myself in that way. There is so much beauty and talent all over in every genre.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

I can't say that I have then asked for anything that would be considered weird. I guess I'm too boring and plain. That being said, let your weirdness flag fly and ask me for anything you want. I can't guarantee the answer will be yes but it never hurts to ask.

13. What do you think of your fans?

My fans are the reason why I keep going. They are the reason why I push myself to write and perform. Without them, what would be the point other than an outlet for my artistic expression? Of course, those types of outlets are good but having people looking forward to the things you are doing means the world to me. There isn't much I wouldn't do for the fans.

14. What do you think of our site?

I think it's a great collection of artists and insights into their work. So many times these days, websites and blogs simply state what a band or artist is doing rather than getting it from the artists themselves. I admire that you try to delve more into who an artist is and what makes them tick.

15. Something to add?

Thank you very much for your kindness and the opportunity to do this interview and spotlight one of my songs. It means the world to me.