“When the music is honest and true, when it comes from the very core, it can only be timeless, because honest emotions are timeless.”
Cologne musician Jeannel introduces us to her single Mind Tricks, that deals with the beginning of a relationship and the emotional state she experienced when you give so much of yourself but cannot be certain of what you will receive back. The beautifully composed piece seduces and soothes. Jeannel can be catched live on three ocassions in Germany while supporting L.A. duo Inc. No World.
You wrote „Mind Tricks“ when you were at the beginning of a relationship. The moment when we feel so insecure and fragile, to say it with your words: „ Giving up so much and not getting that back right away, caused me to feel unconfident and full of doubts about myself.“ Does writing music help you to get over those insecurities at the end and you find answers for yourself in the process?
It doesn’t necessarily solve certain states of insecurity or situations of uncertainty for me, but it definitely helps. It’s like writing diary. The thing with insecurities is, that I think most of the times they arise out of a lack of communication. The fear of getting hurt. So you sometimes end up being even more insecure and hurt, and worst of all, unheard. Writing then is my way of communicating, even if only with myself. And it sometimes even helps me finding answers, yes. But most important is, I can put out what’s inside, so I know it somehow is being heard, in whatever way, even if only by the universe. Either way, it’s a relief.
How did the relationship you wrote about in this song continue?
It actually turned into the most beautiful and real but at the end most tragic story, since it ended in a very slow, painful and confusing way. I am still not understanding it.
“Even though certain experiences in life can be unbearably painful, at the end even the pain can be a gift, because you know you are alive, you know you feel, you know you love.”
Interhuman failure, the pain and the beauty that emerges out of it are things you like to deal with in your music. What is the beauty related to interhuman failure for you?
The beauty to me is, that in every failure lies a lesson, that you can either choose to face or to ignore. I think it’s astonishing how we are directed towards certain experiences in life in order to evolve. Even though some of them can be unbearably painful, at the end even the pain can be a gift, because you know you are alive, you know you feel, you know you love.
What music did you listen to as a teenager? You have a classical trained background so were you a lot into classical music?
I grew up with classical music, so it is something that I carry inside very naturally I guess. But I was really relieved as a young teenager when I discovered that there is more. I ended up listening to R’n’b only in my early teenage years. Aayliah, Ginuwine, Destiny’s Child, Whitney, Mariah. Tons of R’n’b Parties. I miss them so badly! Later came Rock, Jazz and even Techno for a while. I’m still deeply touched by certain pieces of classical music, but I feel that the possibilities of personal expression are very limited there. And I need that. I need to be able to speak my own language, because I need that outlet. Yet every language is based on its roots, so classical music is a big part of mine I guess.
Is it still possible these days to create timeless music?
I think it is. I think it automatically happens when an artist really finds his or her very own language, instead of going with the hype. When the music is honest and true, when it comes from the very core, it can only be timeless, because honest emotions are timeless.
“The thing with insecurities is, that I think most of the times they arise out of a lack of communication. The fear of getting hurt.”
You are supporting inc. on their German tour in December. What are your expectations and is there anything that you are worried or scared about?
The only thing that I am worried about is the driving from city to city. I don’t like trapped being in the car for hours. It’s exhausting. But for the rest I’m basically super excited to play my own music and to see them play! „As light as light“ is really one of the best records I’ve listened to in a while. I’m just happy and thankful about the honor of sharing the stage with them.
What are your goals for the next years?
My goals are being able to make music and being able to share it. To live and learn and to not let certain events in life drive me crazy. To nourish the outlet instead, so that I can take life however it may come across, knowing that the ground under my feet is always there.
www.facebook.com/jeannelhername
Images by Tamara Bertran
