Elonn: What is your real name?
Jessica: Jessica David
Elonn: Your Background?
Jessica: Canadian J to be more specific first generation Filipino born Canadian in my family.
Elonn: At what age did you get into the music industry?
Jessica: That’s a tough question? There is 2 parts to this answer really. Right when I got into high school I started paving my way I guess you can say. My parents were so supportive but really they were just as new to the game as me. I did the Filipino circuit for a while singing covers at different community events but really wasn’t for me … there was no avenues for me to perform the music I write but that’s another story on its own. I really wanted a break so at 16 I packed my stuff and moved out to Los Angeles for a while, did a lot of local show cases and television shows but saw a lot of obstacles because my image needed a lot of work. Most managers and agents didn’t know what to do with me, (laughs) there wasn’t very many Filipino girls in the music industry singing R&B.
Around 17 I put my money together from my part time job to record my first demo. I really didn’t know anything about the music industry back then but slowly started recording and writing. I consider that more when I stepped into the industry. After performing at local events I got a production deal from a local label I learned so much from that experience. It’s really when I started doing my own music that my eyes opened to Toronto’s music industry.
Elonn: Describe your yourself in 5 words.
People who get to work with me and know me well have nicknamed me ‘’Ms David’’ (laughs); I think it’s cute but 5 words =strong, passionate, feminine, professional and hmmm, silly!
Elonn: Who inspires you?
Jessica: My family has a big influence on me, especially my father. Want to talk about love…I have never met a man so selfless. Coming from literally nothing in Philippines and coming to Canada to have a beautiful family with a successful career as an architect is so amazing to me. People inspire my life on a day to day basis. I love meeting new people and learning about people’s experiences. They really inspire and help to keep me motivated. Obama’s accomplishments as of recent have moved me so much. After watching that man become president I realized there is nothing we cannot do if we put our minds to it.
Elonn: Do you have a website?
Jessica: www.jessicadavidonline.com;
Facebook: Jessica David; www.myspace.com/jessicadavidmusic
Elonn: Is your Album out yet and where can fans get it from?
The album is in its final phase and you can take a listen to some tracks on MySpace and very soon my website will have a voting poll where my fans can help me pick my single based on which one is most popular. So sit tight the album is coming.
Elonn: Young teenagers today are looking up to you, but there is always a bad side about been in the industry, Issues such as sex and drugs. How would you advice the young ones?
Jessica: Surround yourself with good people! Keep your faith and God close to you. No matter how busy you get maintain your relationships with your family and close friends, they help to ground you and help you see right when you can’t!
Elonn: Tell us about Your songs-
Jessica: “So easily” was the first track I recorded for my album. It was kind of bullied out of me (laughs) Producers tend to get to know your personal situations especially when you write with them. My first session in August he turned to me and said “ so do you want to write about your break up” I told him no but he played a beat he had made for me and when the hook came in I sang something that I had written a few days before that .. It sat on the track so well. It was a song that I wrote from a really honest place. I tend to do that with all my music I have realized that there is no point in making music that I don’t feel or relate to. I take time with each track when I write and try to tell a story of what I’m feeling.
Elonn: How would you describe your sound?
I’ve branded my music as “Urban Pop” Having a message in your lyrics is dope but as an artist you need to be able to reach people so I do my music with mainstream feel to it but my vocals are always soulful and genuine. Hence “urban pop”
Elonn: Which other artists have helped shape your sound?
Jessica: Vocally- Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight are two vocalists that have helped develop my sound; their emotional connection to a song is crazy!. I’m a 90’s kid so my first vocal lessons came from cassette tapes of SWV, Envogue, Atlantic Starr, Mariah Carrey, Karen White. I could go on forever, basically the 90’s era played a huge role in artistry. From an artist to artist perspective I LOVE Common sense. He’s had longevity in the game and even as times change he still manages to reach out to all kinds of people regardless of age, gender or religion. He’s always evolving. His lyrics and music have a way of captivating people and as artist and writer I respect that because I want to do the same and he’s nice to look at
Elonn: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Jessica: Touring and sharing my music on an international level. I’m working on my production skills. Also I have a sound in mind of what I like so who better to execute that than myself. I know how difficult it can be to learn about the industry so I want to actively help other artists find their way in the industry, so I see myself putting some of my energy towards that direction also.
Elonn: Any message for your fans?
Jessica: Thank you so much for your love and support and I hope you keep growing with me!
Thank you for your time and wish you best of luck. |
