Interview: Jean Watts Discusses Her Etherally-Charged Single, ‘Feel The Same’
Singer-songwriter Jean Watts’ music can best be described as an eclectic combination of beautiful but dark. But the alluring songstress also proves she’s a force to be reckoned with. Case in point, her ethereally charged single, “Feel The Same,” which is equally as evocative as it is addicting. With a hauntingly infectious groove, soulful vocals and an accompanying music video that’s one part symbolic metaphor (complete with car explosion) and one part action film, Watts sings of taking back control in times of deep despair.
In addition to “Feel The Same” Watts is currently preparing to release even more new music that will be followed by a proper round of touring.
I recently spoke with Jean Watts about “Feel The Same”, her creative process and much more in this exclusive new interview.
To those who might not be familiar, how would you describe your sound?
Jean Watts: I’d describe it as beautiful but dark. Anthemic, but also real and inspiring. I want it to touch a lot of sensitive areas in a special way. That’s what I strive for with every song.
What attracted you to the song, “Feel The Same?”
I was in a session, working on my own tracks, one day when my producer showed it to me. Usually, I don’t partake in tracks that I didn’t write or have a hand in producing but I loved this track so much and felt it was a perfect fit with everything else we’re about to put out. I love the meaning behind it.
What’s your songwriting process like?
There’s never really one process. Usually, I’ll be in a session where we’ll just start with the guitar or a piano until we find a chorus. That’s when I’ll start building melodies. Then we’ll get a vibe for the song and will start talking about how it makes us feel. We start getting deep, with everyone talking about the topic and what we’ve been through. That’s when the lyrics start happening. It’s a magical thing when you work with a lot of brilliant people. A genuine collaboration of art that comes from nothing, and then being able to show it to the world.
There’s a lot a metaphor in the video for the song. It’s ethereal. Was that your intent?
I originally had a concept in mind for the video but then the directors came to me with the idea of blowing up a car and I was like, “YES!” [laughs]. It was a fun process putting it together. We filmed in Utah and had a pyrotechnician who worked on the Transformers films come in for the explosion. I love the story behind it. It starts in a hard situation where we get into a fight, he leaves me and then I finally hit my breaking point and blow up the car. Metaphorically, it was a liberating feeling. The gratification of taking back control of your life and what’s been tearing you down.
Are there any other projects you’re currently working on?
Right now we’re working toward an EP and are about to release a new single on June 28 called “Evicted.” I’m excited about this one too!
Do you have plans to do any live shows to support the new music?
I want to do a proper tour right after the EP is released. I’ve been writing a lot the last few years and there’s an itching in my soul to meet people, perform and have that one on one connection.
Was a career in music something you always aspired to have?
I’ve been singing and dancing for as long as I can remember. I was in choir all through high school, did drama and plays and also did choreography for cheerleaders. Music was always a part of me but I never thought of it as a profession until I started hitting the end of high school and everyone started talking about what we wanted to do with our lives. That’s when I realized it was something that was in my core. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.
