Getting To Know... JVLEE

Following up the release of her much-loved debut single 'Rush' earlier this year, US singer and songwriter JVLEE is back once again with her sweeping sophomore release 'Mojave'.

Produced by Xyan, 'Mojave' is a melting pot of alt-pop, neo-soul, RnB, and rock, all wrapped up in a pulsing little package. Filled with uplifting aesthetic, brooding production, and her own haunting voice at the helm, her newest gem is a rich and atmospheric return from an artist heading for great things.

So with the new single out and about, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

The first instrument I fell in love with was the guitar, acoustic and electric. I was always fascinated as a child with the different types of melodies you create from it.

What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?

There have been many inspirations behind where I’m at today in this point in time but the most prominent has to be the people in my life right now and the people who continue to ride with me; without them and their non-stop words and acts of encouragement, I wouldn’t be here today.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

I was always in awe of the oldies music such as Motown, the blues, soul, and jazz when i was in my teens. It was the way i could hear their passion, pain, and happiness come from their voices, I was truly astonished and awestruck. It was real shit.

What do you find is the best environment to find inspiration for your music?

I’ve never really actually took the time to learn the beauty of writing your own music when i was younger. I actually started seriously this year. i was really different in the beginning of 2020, so different it’s crazy. I wrote my first song “Rush” and some other songs that aren’t released yet when i was at another low point in my life. I was going through the blues and i pretty much locked myself in my room and pulled up some youtube beats and the words started flooding my head and I started writing and then came “Rush”. Out of the darkness came beauty. So essentially, pain is what has most inspired me to write.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

I’m definitely listening to some underground upcoming artists right now. Such as Greentea Peng, Eliza, Brandon Banks and of course a little of Ari Lennox, Willow Smith, and Erykah Badu.

How many of your songs have you written about people you wish you’d rather forget?

Some of them are about people and some of them are about other things.

What has been the funniest moment in your career so far?

Most unusual thing I've learned is this industry is not easy or sweet. It is hard work and you have to be careful with who you work with and how you go about things.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

If i could open a show for anyone it would definitely be Willow Smith. She’s a unique singer to me and i feel like it’d be a vibe.

If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?

Tricky question. Continue working and eventually move onto other things. i don’t know what they would be yet.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

“It’s a sin if you don’t go out and pursue this gift you were given.” Made me realise I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by.

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JVLEE's new single 'Mojave' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.