Diandra Interviews Emily Jackson: How You Define Your Talent

I like Emily Jackson, in part, because she is coming to her own. After 10 years of having walked away from a record deal, she is going to back music to come back to herself. An actress, that can be seen on the House of Cards, this past year has been about Emily finding out who she is beyond her talent and what others tell her to do with it. Such a journey of self-work became the basis of our interview and a subtle realization; your talent does not define who you are, but who you are defines your talent.

Diandra: What are the different aspects of yourself that you feel music summons compared to acting? How do you feel songwriting and acting are similar? 


Emily Jackson: As an actor I always struggled with making the emotion feel real to me, but whenever I was on stage, singing, I never feel like I had to “put on.”  I was myself.  That’s where I am most vulnerable because there is nothing to hide behind.  I try now to bring more of that person up on stage or into auditions because I’ve realized that’s all I have.  If I can be comfortable with that, the way I am when I’m singing, I’ll ultimately have more to offer a role.  You know, it’s funny.  When I write and when I perform, if I ever get self-conscious about the subject matter, or in general, I just pretend it’s not me and I’m playing a role!  Just to give you a healthy dose of irony. 


Diandra: What inspired “Oh Mother?”

Emily Jackson: The song began as a letter to my Mother.  I wanted to write about my relationship with her, but then it morphed into something else.  Even some of the lyrics that are specific to our dynamic are really me working things out about how I feel about myself, and how I feel about the world.  I think the core message is really that no one can prepare you truly and honestly for what life will throw at you.  You have to learn those things on your own.  


Diandra: Your moved from California to New York inspired you to return to music. What about New York inspires music to you, and was there a specific moment that made you return to music?

Emily Jackson: New York just keeps you in constant motion whether you like it or not.  I think being surrounded by that energy all the time just sparked something in me. I had this creative explosion right after I moved to Brooklyn and I just couldn’t stop writing songs. And, yes there was a specific moment.  I went to the Made in America festival a couple years ago when Rihanna headlined.  It had just quit my job, ended a long term relationship, and decided to go to LA for an indefinite amount of time, so a lot of change was happening and I wasn’t really sure where my life was going.  At the end of the night, Rihanna performed and it just hit me.  I should be up there doing that.  Then, a month later, I moved to Brooklyn and wrote “Oh Mother” – and now here we are.

Having left a major label 10 years ago, what have those 10 years taught you about yourself and how one’s love for music grows?

Emily Jackson: It taught me that my influences and love for art is constantly changing and THAT’S OK! It taught me to be gentle with myself and live life for fun. The life experiences I’ve had over this time have really inspired all the writing that’s happening now. Life is the material and nothing is off limits. It also taught me that following my instincts will always lead me to the best results, even if it’s hard to do at first. ( Me: #wisdom)

Diandra: What would be your advice to a young woman leaving her label, and trying to keep hope/ love for her art?

Emily Jackson: Just be true to who you are always- at all costs. And don’t let anyone compromise that for you. Perseverance is a really, really important part of any career, but especially in the entrainment industry where there’s so much ebb and flow. So always have the long-game in mind.
 

Diandra: What was the first moment when you fell in love with music?

Emily Jackson: I remember hearing the Les Mis album when I was very young, and I was obsessed. I memorized the entire album and would just perform it for whoever in my family would listen. I want to say I realized I could be an artist from an early age, because I’ve been performing forever – but I think it was when I got to CalArts and I saw that, even in acting, there were so many different avenues you could take to be a performer. CalArts really showed me what that meant.

Diandra: As an artist/ musician “starting over” again, what are the fears and joys you are feeling?

Emily Jackson: I am feeling more joy than anything. Oh Mother is a song that I am so beyond proud of. Proud of it enough that, even if no one heard it or everyone hated it, I wouldn’t care. I held nothing back and did it exactly how I wanted it and I don’t think I’ve ever been able to say that.

Diandra: What are the upcoming sounds, styles, and messages we can expect from your future album/ LP?

Emily Jackson: I’d say overall these songs are about me coming to terms with or being honest about who I am. The parts of myself I hate, insecurities, and feelings of failure. So, a comedic album. In the acting business you have to hide all of those fears and feelings when you go into meetings or auditions – which is sickly ironic to me. And I’m tired of that. It’s how I feel! It’s the truth. And it’s hard to express sometimes, but music has let me shout it from the rooftops.

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