JERRY WILLIAMS INTERVIEW
Hailing from Portsmouth, Jerry Williams combines her talent in songwriting and singing to deliver honest and personal stories from her various life experiences. The unsigned artist brings forward her soft, sweet vocals in her newest single ‘Babe’ and acoustic versions of the tracks from her year old EP ‘Let’s Just Forget It.’ Jerry’s gentle and playful lyricism pieced together with her one of a kind vocals makes her a voice to remember. Be sure to check out mine and Jerry’s chat below.
LB: Could you first talk about your first experiences with music and how it turned into something you wanted to pursue?
JW: I’ve always grown up with music around the house, I [was] always making shows and I loved listening to what my parents listened to, which was Coldplay, David Gray etc. I love Avril Lavigne and Busted as well and one day it just clicked in my head that ‘I wanna be like them’. I just went from there really and I discovered I loved making music and playing guitar.
There have been several milestones in your career, including being a recipient of several awards and touring for Vanessa Carlton and more recently Billy Lockett. How has touring alongside these names been a learning experience for you?
It has been eye opening to how all these things work. There’s so much to it. The travelling, sound-checking, getting ready, making sure you have time to eat, meeting people after the show, packing down your equipment. It’s definitely taught me what stamina and organisation you need to have. You need to look after yourself.
Has touring with them been different at all to your individual dates?
Yes. I’ve played in front of different audiences and gained new fans from people who may not have ever discovered my music!
Do you look at those milestones and see how far you have come?
Of course! When you’re in the midst of everything, you’re only looking forward. But when you take the time to look back at everything, you realise how much you’ve done and all the little baby steps to get where you are.
Do those steps help you in continuing your development and progression?
Yes definitely. It’s all experience and every little onion layer is so valuable.
Can you talk about the collaborative process with Dan Brown and what makes the process between you two so seamless?
We just understand each other and we both have the same visions for songs. We love experimenting with sounds and are not afraid to try things. He lets me write my own lyrics and he helps where I need it. It’s perfect. We have a laugh as well.
What is the biggest thing you have learnt from him in terms of creating music?
Working with Dan has taught me to not be afraid to go bold with a song. Over the years of working with him, I’ve become more and more confident in my ideas and I’ve learnt to go for it. Even if it sounds stupid, we always give it a go.
Congratulations on all the success of ‘Babe.’ You talked about how ‘Babe’ was made during a confusing period for you. Did making it feel therapeutic to you?
Thank you. Yes definitely. I love it when songs write themselves. It came out so easy because every word meant something to me. It’s special when that happens.
What was the feeling of putting it to the world like, especially because of the meaning it has for you and the intimate way it was done?
I felt super proud!! I wrote it, recorded it and produced it all on my own in my room. The first song I wrote this year. It’s nice to show that side to your songwriting. Every story is different, therefore so is every song.
Can you talk about the importance of telling stories that are based off your personal experience?
It s a great release of emotions and it makes your songs relatable. It’s so much easier to write a song if you’ve got something true to sing about. I love listening to songs like that.
How is it to hear reactions from others about the music? Does it feel special to you, because they are reacting positively to a part of you and your experience?
Yes! It’s always lovely when people respond to your music well. You work so hard on it and you want people to love it as much as you do. I will love the song regardless but it’s always a little buzz when other people appreciate it.
Lastly, can we expect any upcoming releases or projects?
Yes, I can’t wait to get new music out there!! Keep your ears peeled.