A new single from Jaclyn really pinpoints some hot topics and she does it with a bright and edgy sound that's packed with soul and pop overtones all with that message right there in your face which is very important. To make pop music is one thing but to make pop music with a message that's current. relevant and real is another thing all together.
"American Dream" is brutally honest and talks about the issues young Americans face today as they try and make their way in the world in the state it's in now.
Jaclyn has no issues hitting these points hard and it maybe because she herself is very effected by it and this caused her to become passionate about it.
Honestly more artists should be talking about things like this. It takes guts and that's what Jaclyn has. Well, that and an incredible voice.
"American Dream" is bursting with vivacious color and relentless heart as she belts out her thoughts in this emotionally driven way that really portrays that stress and struggle the song is about well.
This was quite beautifully woven and the way it's written has these classic songwriting elements to it that makes it even more addictive.
We find joy in listening to Jaclyn's songs. She always has such intense character and attitude. She's got this awe-inspiring presence and as an artist these are things you have to work at.
Of course, for Jaclyn it all feels natural. Like she was born with it all.
This single is powerful and makes a hell of a statement about today's society and how young people have to navigate through all this crazy struggle and difficulty due t the way the world and the country is right now especially.
With the release of such a great single, we wanted to have a chat with Jaclyn and talk about this more.
Here's what happened.
RAG: Okay so let's start with "American Dream". This single has an edgy soul to it! Where did this single come from?
The single was born from the frustration of what it means to live the “American
Dream”. The idea of the American Dream is a flawed and dated concept. This is not the
reality. This song is for everyone who feels let down by the system, whichever side you
are on. It’s the 99 percent of us verse the 1 percent.
RAG: So how did this all begin for you? When did you fall in love with music really?
Writing has always been an outlet of expression for me. I am a writer before I
am a performer. I started making up songs before I could write. My mom would tell me;
that growing up if something traumatic happened to me or I got upset I would make a
song about it. My first memory of music was the spice girls, Britney Spears, JLO, and all
the divas from the 90s and 2000s. As I got a bit older I began to discover and curate all
different types of music from 50s doo op to the 90s punk scene and all in between.
RAG: The video for this one was really cool! Did you think this up? Did it come out how you
expected?
Thank you, I am very happy with how it turned out. I wasn’t able to shoot a
video during the time of release so I hired an animator on Fiverr by the name of Evan
Snyder and he absolutely took my vision and went above expectation.
RAG: Who is in your headphones right now?
So, I’ve been obsessed with the artist “Eamon” for a minute now. Most people
know him from his song “Don’t want you back”, but his album “Golden rail Motel”
changed how I thought about music; speaking truths…pure poetry. I also love seeing
more rock bands come to the mainstream like manskin, Dorothy, and Dirty Honey.
RAG: What inspires you to write a song?
People inspire me to write songs, watching the world twist and turn inspires me
to write songs. I don’t write for myself anymore; I try and write for change. If I ever have
the opportunity to sing for the masses I am more conscious about the messages I am
trying to get across.
RAG: I'm hearing some great styles on this song. Who are some of your biggest musical
influences?
My answer will forever be Amy Winehouse. That woman changed the way I
saw a female pop star. She was so much more than that; she was a poet and
authentically herself.
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
I am currently back in school getting my Masters in Social Work. Both social work and
my music coincide with each other. Social Work has made me a better songwriter. It
has shown me how to be an ally, advocate, and promote social justice for all.
Would you say live performances are a big part of what you do?
Answer: I haven’t performed since the pandemic, but I have a show coming up on
August 24th at DROM in Manhattan. Excited to get back on the stage.
RAG: This single feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and
coming artists out there?
Break the mold, speak your truth. Also create your own path, and don’t wait
around to go viral, if you want to perform and if you want to tour make it happen on your
terms. Lastly, invest in yourself, even if that vision doesn’t make you a dime, do it
because you love it and need to let it out.
RAG: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
I have an upcoming show at DROM in the lower east side. I’m hoping to do
more live shows. And hopefully releasing some new music at the end of the year.
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
To everyone who listened and resonated with American Dream; thank you. I
hope the song opens you up and allows you to think about your life in a different way.
Too often we get stuck into routines of what the “right: thing to do is, that we don’t even
realize if that is what we really want. Create your own American Dream.