INTERVIEW: JILLIAN DAWN
BY OLIVIA LEON
Nashville based singer-songwriter Jillian Dawn melds genres into music and is taking it to the stage on her latest tour of Summer 2022, For the Night. With five track EP “how simple this all started” released last year, the artist takes an acoustic dive into sharing her music with the world and connecting with listeners. In this interview, Dawn further delves into her inspirations, journey as an artist, and plans for the future.
Photos By: Susie McKeon
First off, what are you listening to this month? Any music favorites?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Blake Rose, OSTON, and Lizzy McAlpine. I’m really digging “Demon” by Blake Rose & I’m also highly anticipating Harry Styles’ new project.
Do you have any main inspirations for your music? Is there anyone within or outside of the music industry that has influenced your work?
Sara Barielles for sure. She is my all-time fav. Taylor Swift and The Killers are also two major sources of inspo for my work. I will also say my peers and collaborators are a huge inspiration to me; they consistently motivate me to write something better.
You first released music in 2016— how do you think you've changed as an artist since then? How would you describe your artistic style now?
I have lived many lives since then. I started writing music as a teenager who listened to top-40 and was heavily involved in musical theater; I think my early music projects that. When I got to college, I was surrounded by so many different genres and styles of music that I started to rethink my sound. I began writing songs that I’d want to listen to; songs that made me feel things to my core. I continue to use that method to this day, but I’d like to think that I get more polished with the years and experience.
With a newly announced acoustic tour this summer, you’ve also certainly grown your platform as an artist! How does it feel to connect to fans at venues again— especially after live shows coming to a halt during the pandemic?
It feels AMAZING. It is the best feeling in the world. The pandemic was hard for everybody, and for me, it put a barrier on sharing my art. Being able to connect with people and fans again is a breath of the freshest air and it feels so good.
Is there anything you look for listeners to take away from your music and you, as an artist, whether that's through shows or your music directly?
I just want them to feel something. I love songs that have both a musical drive and relatable message; songs you immediately go to when you’re driving in your car. My goal is to create that feeling for my fans.
Finally, is there anything you can tease about any upcoming plans for the rest of 2022? What are you most looking forward to?
I am so excited to be visiting LA for the first time in May/June! I’ll be playing some shows there and adding some other dates in new cities. As for new releases, I’m taking the rest of the year to really map out my next project. I’ve written some songs since arriving in Nashville that I am sooo excited about, but I want to make sure I do them right. That being said, I am really excited for 2023!!!
