Natalie Jean

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Natalie Jean- Natalie Jean is an award winning, multi-nominated singer/songwriter performer

Interview conducted on May 16, 2020

Natalie Jean is an award-winning, multi-nominated singer/songwriter performer. She is also a Voting Member in the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS). Natalie Jean is a versatile performer and singer. She sings and writes for many genres, such as Jazz, Pop, R&B, Blues, World, Rock, Country, Americana, Inspirational, Adult Contemporary, Alternative, and, Dance. She can also sing in French, Spanish, English, and Haitian Creole. Natalie Jean is mostly influenced by artists such as Lena Horne, Celine Dion, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and Ella Fitzgerald. She has performed at many venues in the MD/DC. She also has performed in LA, NewYork, Nashville, and North Carolina. She also appeared on WPFW, a Jazz station in Washington DC. She has been nominated over 100 times for her music and has won many awards. She has released six albums, Obsession, Natalie Jean, Lecons D’Amour, Unafraid, Haiti Mwen Renmenw, and Where Do We Go From Here?. She has also released several singles.

Dan Locke: What is your upbringing?

Natalie Jean: I grew up in a household of musicians. There was always music playing My father, Guy Robert Jean is a famous Haitian singer. My aunt Sandra Jean, formed the first all-female band in Haiti, called “Riske”. My cousin, Moses Jean, is a music producer. I was always surrounded by music. Believe it or not, Elvis was a big influence in our household. I used to watch Sanford and Son and wanted to be a Jazz singer after watching Lena Horne, in one of its episodes.

How did you discover music?

I discovered music through my father. He used to perform at many venues in the Washington, DC area.

How did you start to write music?

I started out by writing poetry. I have a book of published poetry. It was a great outlet for my emotions and experiences. One day, I decided two take a couple that I had written and created a demo.

You have won a lot of awards. How was it to win your first award back in 2015?

It was really exciting!! I had never won anything before. I always wanted to win something. It demonstrated that I was doing something right. It’s crazy because I never really thought I would be in the music industry. I often ask myself “how did I get here”.

You are a voting member of the Grammys. How does one become a voting member of the Academy?

Back in the day, it used to be a lot easier to become a member of the Academy. Now, it has become a lot harder. You simply go to Grammy.com and you fill out the application form. Membership opens up in March and you get notified in June. There are only three types of memberships, Voting, Professional, and Grammy U (students). You have to get two recommendations from people that are already members. But it does not guarantee membership. You have demonstrated that music is your full-time career, that you are serious about your craft.

How was the Grammy this year?

The Grammy’s are always a lot of fun!! However, this year, there was a lot of sadness because of Kobe Bryant’s plane crashing and killing all on board. We still had a good time. It is a long day. You start at 7:00 am and end at 5:00 am. It’s a great time to see people that you haven’t seen in a while and a great opportunity to network. Lots of events during the week before the show.

Tell me about your current release “Mother Earth”?

Mother Earth is a song from my latest album “Where Do We Go From Here?”. This album is a social impact/message album. I had several different focuses for this album, and one of them was the environment. I wanted to demonstrate what we all have done to damage the earth and everything inside.

You release the song Mother Earth. What were you thinking as you were getting the video together?

I wanted to demonstrate what we have done in many different ways. The fires that killed animals, the pollution in the ocean, glaciers are melting, the negativity, and showing that some don’t believe, despite the evidence. It’s interesting that during this pandemic, pollution levels have decreased and you can see skylines. It demonstrates how we all impact our earth.

Have you had the chance to work with Adrienne Nixon Basco, because you both were involved with the Josie Awards?

Nope, I have not worked with Adrienne. I didn’t get a chance to speak with her at the awards show. I performed at the 2019 Josie Music Awards Show. I’ve been nominated and won several awards from the Josie Music Awards since its inception.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

The streaming industry is unfortunately useful for marketing our music. I don’t like the fact that artists are not making what they should since it is their artistry. Streaming allows for us to get new fans, share our music, and hopefully chart one day. You have to look at the good and the bad. I know many artists that refuse to stream their music. But I do because it is a great way to share my music.

Digital vs. vinyl?

I prefer digital. Vinyl is very expensive. It is hard to get people to buy a single for $1.29. I think that vinyl works best if you are touring and you have fans that will actually purchase your cd. I won’t be creating CDs anymore. My singles and albums will all be digital. If a reviewer needs a cd, I just burn a copy.

Any plans to tour?

I was working on an idea for a tour, and then COVID happened. So, that will be placed on the back burner for now.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?

Don’t Stand So Close to Me, by the Police. It’s because of this whole pandemic/covid19. I think about what life will look like when all of this is over.

How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

I think that you will have people suffering from PTSD, and may not want to go out and be around large crowds. On the flip side, I think that the music industry will thrive once again. Music has the power to heal and move mountains. Music makes people feel better. I think that some people are going to hunger for music and are going to have a need for concerts. I also believe that there will be a boom in virtual concerts.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

I’ve been teleworking, watching music webinars, working out (in my house), creating music (I released a new Country single, Not Over You with Country artist Rory Gardiner), released two new music videos (The Forgotten and We Kneel), and I’ve been marketing my new releases.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

I never have time to read. So, I’ve been reading a lot more. Also, I’ve been going on more walks.

Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?

I did a Live Facebook performance the other day. I am considering doing some more of that. I’ve also thought about creating a Youtube channel about the life of an indie.

Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?

I think you can make a good living by doing virtual concerts. Those types of sites have been around for a while. It’s nothing new.

First, it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally, Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until the fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?

I do believe that this could happen. They need to get a handle on Covid19. I would love to get things rolling sooner than that. But in the end, it is better to be safe than sorry.

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

That would be an interesting concept. How much would something like that cost? It would have to be affordable. I would prefer a virtual performance.

How do you see yourself in the next five years?

In five years, I would like to for music to be my only profession. I see myself collaborating with amazing indie artists and making a difference in the world.

Anything you would like to say in closing?