Born and bred in Romania, Jewelia is a singer-songwriter and music producer living in London. Infusing indie-pop with piano-driven melodies, Jewelia has a unique fairytale sound. We speak with this songstress about her new single ‘Millennial’ and much more!
Why did you decide to enter the music industry?
I’ve been singing and writing songs since I was little – in fact, I believe I wrote my first song when I was 7. When I was 13 I became interested in production and started teaching myself to record and produce my own songs. Music was always something I was very interested in, so there was simply no other way!
Can you tell us about your new single ‘Millennial’?
‘Millennial’ is track number 6 of Project2020. Project2020 is a self-challenge I’ve given myself at the beginning of the year and it means that every month in 2020 I will write, record and release a new song on the 20th of each month.
What was the recording and writing process like?
The song was produced by me and my partner in our home studio. I wrote the song and did a basic arrangement of it in Logic, with the beat and the main melodic elements. Then he came and recorded the drums and guitars. We got some external help for the mixing and mastering.
Does the single have any significant meaning?
Being a Millennial these days often means being in your late twenties and unable to buy a house, stuck in a cycle of paying high rent and unable to save. Most young people nowadays also don’t get married and have kids young like previous generations. These are all milestones of adulthood that we are pressured to reach as we approach thirty. I have been feeling some of this pressure lately, especially since I feel like I should have life sorted out by now; but in fact, I feel like I’m only still at the beginning of a journey trying to figure it all out.
Linked to this, ‘Millennial’ also talks about the difficulty in coming to terms with the natural process of ageing and the expectation that come with it. I might look slightly different but on the inside, I’m the same.
What do you hope people take from your music?
I hope this speaks to other people in my generation. I cannot be the only one feeling like this! Also, if they listen to ‘Millennial’ and get interested in listening to some more of my music, then I’m more than happy!
What is more challenging – melody or lyrics?
It depends. I would say the lyrics. I come up with chord progressions and melodies almost instantly, but I take much longer to labour over the lyrics.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
This year, with Project2020. In fact, I started this challenge as a way to keep me motivated. I figured that if I have a deadline every month, I won’t look for excuses to not write music and I would force myself to find the time and make it happen somehow!
What does the rest of the future hold for you?
In the near future, I have a couple of music videos coming out. I’m hopeful that I will finish the project successfully and, once done, release the songs in some kind of physical format.
In the long run, I can only hope to reach more fans and hopefully, when things go back to normal, organise a small UK tour.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Yes! If you want to keep up with my musical journey this year, go to www.jewelia-music.com/project2020
I’ve also set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with extra costs related to recording, mastering, videos, etc. The link is on the same webpage. If you can contribute with anything it would be very much appreciated.
Other than that, stay safe and well, and thanks for checking out my music!
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