Jillian Ann Interview   4/14/04
Intro: Her recording hit me hard. I immediately had to share Jillian Ann's CD "Neverland" with all of my friends and playmates. My girlfriend and I listened to the CD all night long in the warmth of our satin sheets. It was a special evening. Now, I don't even have the disk in my possession. A greedy friend, jealous of its possession has got it all borrowed up and far, far away. I miss that CD already. 
Neo: Hello Jillian. How are you?
Good, busy, the usual.
Neo: Are you doing a lot of interviews lately?
Tons of them.  You guys have a lot of questions even after I put it all out there on my website :)
Neo: I hope that Neo-Zine is a different kind of audience for you. We cover all extremes of the underground, including the softer side. I feel that they are all connected in a way (at least in a non-conformist spirit.) Do you agree?
I agree completely.  It is all connected. Anything that is non-conformist tends to connect in one way or another way. The fetish world, the music world, the art world, and so on.
Neo: Could you please give a stylistic description of your music to the Neo-Fans?
Neverland is an avant-pop record. It is electronic music with classical and avant garde influences.  Beta is a progressive electronic album.  IDM meets Enigma meets dance. Currently, I am working on two albums.  Both are a fusion of a few styles with layers of vocals and violins and pianos. I want to push music into a new place and not just copy what has already been done.
Neo: Is there anything we need to know about Neverland in regards to theme or  atmospheric content?
Neverland was created to be a comfort album -- an emotional album, an album to make love to or to be played while creating.
Neo: Is "Neverland" making a splash on the mp3 charts? Are you getting any radio play?
Neverland is doing very well on the mp3 charts as well as on college radio.
Neo: Looking over your web room, I noticed a lot of home equipment in the pictures of your apartment. Do you do a lot of home recording?
I make everything in my loft.  All the music is recorded, mixed and mastered in there. Welcome to the year 2004 when you don't need anything but time, love and energy  :)
Neo: Speaking of your web room, do you do your own web work? Are you an internet junkie like many of us?
I do the html site and I have someone doing the flash version who is amazing. I am so busy creating that I don't do much surfing anymore. I am always looking to swap links with other sites though.
Neo: Do you prefer working on things from home privately or are you more into the public life you lead as a model and performer?
I enjoy both aspects. I like the solitude of being alone at home, but I thrive on being on the road, shooting and traveling.
Neo: Some of your web pictures include bondage / fetish interests. How do those things impact your careers as a model, actress, and especially a musician?
I enjoy making beautiful things and I think corsets and bondage are beautiful. I enjoy the fetish world in many ways because the people there are very open-minded and very free spirited. The fetish world taught me how to push my art to the edge and not to care what people think and that is something I have to live by because not everyone will like me or my work.  But I do what I want to do because I love it and I follow my heart and I learned that lesson in the fetish world. In many ways, I was put down for it, but I learned that people will always put you down and you can't live for other people.
Neo: I disagree with the way that your promotional materials downplay the gothic aspect of your sound. I think that it is one of the things that provide distinction for your sound. What is your opinion?
I agree so the next album I think will be a bit different.
Neo: How do you feel about comparisons to Enya, Kate Bush, Portishead, and Tori Amos?
I see the Kate Bush, the Portishead and Tori Amos, but I don't feel like I sound like any of them.
Neo: I understand that you used to be a b movie queen. Do you have any recommendations for a good b movie?
I never kept up with the scene. I went to shoots, did my work and came home. I didn't even know I was a b-movie queen till it was on the cover of magazines. But there are lots of them out there.
Neo: Tell us about some of your film roles?
I usually am typecast as a vixen, kitten, or vampire. As of late, I have been focusing on music, but I am looking to do more drama and more deep roles. I also enjoy acting and love creating. I am just finishing my own first movie which is all about the alternative worlds and technology.
Neo: Has any soundtrack work gone hand in hand with your acting or modeling?
Yes.  Much of it has happened because people know of me through modeling.  They find my music and then it gets used.
Neo: Have you had any formal training in music/ acting/ modeling (and can you tell us a little about it?)
I took piano lessons for a few years, but stopped because I didn't feel that I was learning anything new. I was a cocky little girl. Then, I learned all I could about modeling. I have taken ballet and jazz. I have been mentored with music directly from people who make it. I work one on one with people who are better than me, who I learn from. Currently, I work with a vocal coach, I have a media coach, I have a yoga teacher, and I teach the rest to myself. I learn faster on my own which is why I am not in school.
Neo: What projects are you currently working on?
I am working on a new site which will be up soon. I am working on a full length film which will be out soon. I am working on two albums -- my next solo record as well as a project with Sage (www.sagepoet.com , www.sexdrugsandsundayschool.com ) I am working on a live show which will be done and we will be playing out mid-summer.  I am also working on building a collective of artists (www.mentalsanctuary.com  ) as well as a model and photographers resource website ( www.theblackbookproject.com )  I am also writing papers and essays on sex, drugs and religion for a section on my site called zen baby. I thought about running for president, but i don't know if i have the time. I am painting a series of paintings for a gallery show and I am also shooting here and there.
Neo: Anything else you would like to talk about (free forum)
I discovered these books which changed my life:  Fit for Life and The Artist's Way. I turned vegan and haven't been sick in forever and mediation and yoga help me stay nice and balanced. :)
hope all is well.  Sending some love and thanks
Jillian
www.JillianAnn.com
www.mentalsanctuary.com
www.theblackbookproject.com
www.sexdrugsandsundayschoool.com
Thanks for the interview.