JD...this is an interview Jillian did a week or so ago for www.wchradio.i8.com which is an Internet radio station that has Neverland on its playlist.  We are told that her interview will be posted on that site soon.
Hope you're having a nice weekend!
Rob
In a message dated 12/9/2003 10:43:58 AM Eastern Standard Time, wchradio@yahoo.com writes:
1.  Is this your 1st CD?
Neverland is my first solo CD but it is my second CD. I worked with David Kirby on a project called elucido which is a IDM progressive electronic album.  The CD we did is called Beta and you can see more about it on my website at http://www.jillianann.com/elucido.html
2.  How long have you been in the music industry?
I have been lurking underground and getting my education and making observations for a few years. I am like a cat. I often find a dark corner and watch for some time to see what is going on before I make my moves. I got a bit of a push to move into it by the one who stopped caring, who was someone who helped me speed up the process of understanding the nature of the industry.
3.  What inspired you to get into music?
Music to me is the language of the soul.  Music is my air and music saved my life. I grew up alone and isolated, but music filled me with hope and understood me.  Music was my friend.  Music gave me the ability to feel things that the rest of the world was telling me were wrong. Music gave me freedom. I got into music because that is where my heart is and so I had to go.
4.  How would you categorize your music?
I would like to create a new category because I am tired of all the old ones. It is emotional and it is human.  It is my soul speaking.  I am over the mold game, the fit into a label game, and the all music sounding the same. I make music to break rules, not to make them.
5.  How did you come up with the name for the band?
It's my name and, well, I got sick of thinking of names and changing names and adding and figuring out who owned it, so I just used my own name.
6.  How many poeple are in the band?
It is me,  I am like a Trent or a Prince. I do it all and then I bring in David Kirby to do his magic as a producer. He comes in and takes my record and adds icing and candy to it. But I write all the music, the songs, the lyrics and I play all the instruments. I am the band.
7.  How did you decide the style of music you wanted to play?
By the way I feel.  I can write everything from classical to pop to metal to hip hop. I would rather take elements from all places and make something new than to do what has been done over and over. the one who stopped caring opened my eyes to pop and why it works. I tend to use the way pop music is structured as a a skeleton for my creations but then as opposed to building things in a usual way, I do what most people would never think of doing. But then again most people have not explored music to the depth or the detail I have, so they do not understand that there are millions of ways to make music, not just the usual standard way which we seem to adopt as a do or die policy.
8. One of my favorite songs is "what?"  And how did that come about?
Vapour: I was walking home and thinking of someone I love who has issues with not accepting love, and how it seems that those who seem dark are often the most loving yet the world tends to judge them and put them down. This makes them often feel guilty and ashamed and then they end up feeling no one could love them. I had had a very intense night the night before which involved the person telling me I couldn't love them and it was all a lie, and then I felt myself breaking down because I do love them, but I felt as though it was years of lies and abuse and anger that I was up against caused mainly by people lying, judging and using that person and not loving them. So the song came from the pain and hurt of seeing those I loved and hundreds of people destroyed or harmed to the point that they can't accept love because of people judging them, lying to them, using them.
Little space is also a fave.  It is about war and about how if we would give a little more and not take so much we would have much less of it.
9.  Why did you go the independent route?
The major labels are in a state of flux.  I want to make sure people can get my record. I wanted creative control, and all the A&R people I knew who were artists, supportive and those I trusted lost their jobs.  Music to me is my baby. I will let it grow and develop and will pay my dues.  There is no rush for me to go to a major. I want to make sure the music gets to the people and doesn't sit on a shelf. When there is someone who understands me and my vision and supports it, who is a gatekeeper at a major and that I trust and see truth and integrity in, then I will go there. But music is like my baby, and I want to make sure the daddy (so to speak) will take care of it and not abuse it.
So I am speaking with and meeting many people. But I would rather feed it myself than put it in the hands of  someone I didn't trust 100 percent.
10.  Can we expect anything new from you in 2004?
Of course! My next album is in the works.  It is darker, more intense, more a reflection of the current state of the world. It deals with many issues and many topics from love to religion, drugs to being controlled. It is a culture commentary and I will be making a full length film/visual to go along with it. I am looking to finish the record this spring or summer. The next album will be heavy and intense, but still beautiful.
I am also working on a film called "life in motion."  You can see clips on my website. And for all of you, I am creating an online digital community that will be up in January where artists and fans can all connect and if we all work together, we can create a nice little space to spark a fire from.  The website is www.MentalSanctuary.com and it will be open in January, so bookmark it and come back when it is ready. I am also acting and modeling when I can. And dj'ing,.  So needless to say I am a very busy thing.
Thank you for asking:)
11.  Do you have any advice for new artists or people thinking about getting into the music business?
First and foremost, go get the books Hit Men, All You Need to know about the Music Business, The Artist's Way, and Fit for Life.  If you want to continue your education, also check out Artist Management and How to Start and Run Your Own Record Label. Then, go and get books on how to create your own home studio. I highly encourage you as an artist to learn how to write, record, and produce your own music. Also, if you are a singer, invest in a vocal coach. It makes a huge difference. Learn how to make a website, learn how to connect with others and learn everything  you can about every aspect of the music business, including the business. If you think you will survive without knowledge, you will find you will become dinner for the first wolf that is hungry. Also, I reccomend putting out an album or two on an indie label to get to know the game and then move up. I believe in understanding something before you do it.  Learn the business as well as how to make music inside out first. The labels no longer do artist development, so you need to develop yourself. The books I mentioned above will help you.  So will going to music conferences. You can also learn by observing artists like me and others who share not only the art but the process. You will not become a star over night. And having an inflated ego anywhere but on the stage will hurt you in the long run.  Remember that everything you do will come around to you so if you show respect, you will earn it.
12.  Were you excited by the message from the Grammys?  How did you feel about that?
It's funny. I suppose I am not much effected by praise and/or when people tear me down. It was amazing to get that news and I was happy to be recognized.  I am really excited about next year. I made the record in my bedroom with no budget and I did it all alone. I even got my own producer to make it to that point.  It just makes it easier for me and my art to be taken more seriously. People often assume because I am a former model that I am dumb and that I don't do anything but sing. That's not true. I write, produce and arrange my albums and work with a producer I believe in.  That is my secret treasure because he is amazing but wont sell out. It was nice to be up against those who had millions behind them and who are all just creating to sell. It gives me hope that change is in the air and that the industry will open up to more progressive artists and give artists more of a say in their art. If someone like me makes it, I open the door for many others to follow after me. So, getting that far was a spark in my mind and helps me get through when times are tough.
13.  Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes.  That all of you need to keep your ears and eyes open for David Kirby, the one who stopped caring, Larry Carlson and come join the family in JANUARY and become part of the virtual community at www.MentalSanctuary.com