Drea Jeann An artist in motion

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Drea is a Bay Area native singer

Interview conducted on Feb. 07, 2020

by Dan Locke

Drea is a Bay Area native singer that’s been in love with singing since the age of 3. From involvement with musical theater, to choir, to opera singing, to touring with a jazz vocal ensemble, Drea has always made it apparent her love for singing is engrained into her very being. Vulnerability, honesty, and transparency about who Drea is and what she’s experienced in life are her highest held values when it comes to her songwriting. Her one wish is to share her passion with the world, bringing messages and spreading love through the way she knows best, through her music.

Dan Locke: You have been singing songs from the age of 3. How did you start singing and what has been your development of art over the years?

Drea Jeann: I started singing before I can even remember. It honestly felt just inherent. I started doing musical theatre shows and choirs and then developed to jazz ensemble with complex harmonies, soloing single performing for events, and even more musical theatre shows. Now it’s a whole new ball game with recording and performing my own songs live. Recording is super different from musical theatre obviously… but I absolutely love it!

How was live music in the Bay area while you were growing up? What was your first performance like?

I didn’t really venture outside of high school functions for singing and live music, but from what I can tell it’s pretty lively. I was more into the jazz realm, with competitions and whatnot. The first performance that I can distinctly remember was in middle school and I sang my first solo in front of a crowd of people. I was absolutely terrified. I sang “The House that Built Me” by Miranda Lambert

You wrote on your Instagram “I like to sing and write songs and sometimes they turn out pretty good. What is a good song?

A good song is something that conveys honesty and what I’m trying to say most perfectly. For me, it has to be personal, deep, full of emotion, and of course, sound good 😛

What has been your favorite song which you have written?

No Sympathy – releasing February 28th 🙂

You have a personal interested in cooking. What is your favorite food to cook and how do you prepare it?

I love cooking new things! I don’t stick to one thing as a go-to. I love to learn new recipes and constantly expand my horizons as a little chef 🙂

While you are touring, do you still do Yoga?

I haven’t started touring but I can promise that when I do I definitely will. Yoga is essential to my sanity.

Why did you decide to start using TikTok for some of your social media?

TikTok is still something I’m figuring out and navigating… but apparently, it’s the hottest new thing and I gotta keep up!

What did you mean “Stay Weird”?

I am honestly such a weird, goofy person. But I love that part about me. Not taking life too seriously and letting loose is so essential for me. I don’t ever want to change or lose that part of me.

One of your passions is musical theater. What Broadway musical would you love to star in and what part?

Without a thought… Eponine in Les Miserables. One of the most beautiful musicals and beautiful roles ever.

Tell me about “Come Back to Me”?

It’s a song about toxic relationships and the feeling of needing to stay in the relationship and be there for that person no matter how much you’re hurting individually… We tend to sacrifice our own mental health to accommodate how the other feels in relationships. It’s forgetting about oneself to stay in a comfortable place with someone who you know doesn’t treat you right, but you’re not sure how to walk away without losing yourself completely.

On the video how much training did you have before you did the video?

I did everything that one day! I was just told there was going to be a pool of water and I ended up learning how to hold my breath for longer than 30 seconds, see underwater with full makeup on, and use scuba gear for breathing while weighed down to a ladder under the water so I could sing the song through. Every time I needed air I would tap my lips twice and someone would come to give me oxygen. Crazy

Do you feel that shows like American Idol helps or hurts singers?

I always wanted to go on American Idol growing up… but from what I see there’s a small ratio that wins the show and actually makes it in the industry. I don’t have enough knowledge behind the process or what happens after someone wins but I can say I wish more people who won would go further with their careers.

Favorite jazz trio?

My favorite jazz artists are Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, and Michael Buble (although he’s more pop he has some great jazz classics in his mix that he slays)

Any plans to tour this year?

I sure hope so! I’m still new to the game and just started releasing singles so we are still lining up dates for performances…. But will be announcing soon those dates 🙂

How do you see yourself in five years?