Harlenation

Expecting Nothing

2013-12-02T09:28:00.002-08:00

The first Cocoa Jackson Lane single is done and we feel so relieved but so confused... Why so excited? I have released singles before, I have seen them travel wide but I have also seen them stall right in the middle of a streaming highway. Trampled in a stampede. History would have taught me not to be excited and to expect nothing.

If I expect nothing I cannot be disappointed if nothing comes. I will be happy if only our dearest whanau and friends enjoy it. I am thankful to be able to write, record and produce music with Camilla, without any other pressures involved. We are fledglings jumping off a cliff, trying to create enough momentum to stay airborne. We work hard, we struggle to improve, and we do. We get better and we create success.

The mystery and uncertainty of what is to come lies in the eyes of the media. The most powerful player in my own game. The queen that reduces me to a pawn. How the media perceives this song will have a direct impact on the distance it will travel. If someone else has vouched for it, people feel brave enough to show that they like it too. Nobody wants to like the band that sucks, because people feel identified by their tastes. We wear bands like badges of honour, communicating to the world how we position ourselves in society. The good thing about that though is we often like to vouch for the underdog, because we relate to the underdog.

Triple j used to be the underdog, but really it's a watchdog, only letting certain people (the majority either white or male and most commonly both) through to the other side. We are neither of those things, so I don't expect the watchdog to let us clamber over the gates. When looking at the history of Triple J (playlists and presenters) it has been heavily male oriented and generally focused on Australian youth culture of barbecues and festivals, thongs, inflatable pools, beach, green and gold, and fashionable mainstream rebels. They like artists that exemplify these things too, so when they put my music next to this they don't see the cookie cutter fit or think their people would want to listen to it.

The same goes for the limiting nature of genre generally in Aus (compare with NZ, UK, USA). If you don't fit into the rock, pop, hip hop, folk, or indie hipster categories, or you combine styles together, you're not likely to get rotation. If you dare to break free of these genres and low and behold... create your own... you have just written yourself into a blind spot.

That's why Community Radio is our saving grace, they are open minded, supportive, and welcoming to new finds and fresh styles, in fact, they gloat discoveries. The more hidden, the more valuable. Eccentric, eclectic, in search of quality and treasure. Community Radio celebrates diversity.

Our philosophy is aligned with this. We would rather stay true to ourselves in the underground. To stay true to ourselves we have to trust ourselves, and our ears. This is why you need a good team, and why Camilla is amazing to work with. She is fully committed to the best result and giving her all. If she stumbles upon something that she doesn't know how to do she researches it and figures it out. She isn't stumped by missing knowledge, she is motivated by acquiring skill. She does not settle for habit. If a particular element needs a different approach she will find that way. She won't automatically sail the same route, she will read the stars to navigate, and I will be an observant passenger. Until it's all hands on deck again, then I very well may be getting bashed about by raging tides, swallowing salt water and being whipped in the eyes by my hair, dreaming of dry land. It was her birthday this week, 24yrs young. Off to a flying start!!

So here we go, sailing out to sea with songs in hand and the stars in sight, with a cargo full of invitations and a fridge full of beer. Are you coming to the party?

SINGLE RELEASE JAN 14

In Search of Souls

www.facebook.com/camillacharlesworthmusic

@CamillaBassKilla

I used to be jealous of success

2013-11-11T22:55:00.000-08:00

I used to be jealous of people who found success. I felt cheated in some way, as if it was unfair that they had success and I didn't. Sometimes it seemed as though I worked much harder than they did yet still didn't make anywhere near as much ground. It made me think of my family and the generations before me, working laborious jobs, hours on end, and still struggling to make ends meet. I looked outward into the world for things to blame; not having money, music education, equipment... There were so many things that didn't match up. How could I always be on time and dependable, yet still not experience success at the level as artists that were careless and unreliable. I would vent to my friends... 'howwww are they blowing up right now?!' (The most disappointing thing about being jealous is it taints and distracts your enjoyment of their art.)

How ridiculous. What a jaded outlook, and what a poisonous feeling. Envy drips into your security, similar to what I imagine Chinese Water Torture to feel like. It hurts. It is constant, and each thought is so small, as small as a drop of water, but when it lands it feels like a piercing ton has cracked open your skull and your emotions, spilling and splayed, are as obvious as they are obscure.

Then doubt comes hurtling in after, and self-doubt is immediately coupled with disappointment in yourself. Maybe I can't sing as well as her. Maybe I can't write as well as them. Maybe my music isn't worth the recognition, maybe it is never going to take flight. Maybe I need to leave music behind and 'get a real job'.

This is why jealousy is poison. You can so easily sicken yourself, to the point where you can't remember why you started chasing this dream at all. You sabotage your own career with jealousy. That is why I cannot be jealous anymore, because I have to do music. It's not a choice, it's a need. An insatiable craving, an all encompassing passion. My life will not be fulfilled if I leave it behind. I must follow it through the jungle, with my machete, and cut down doubt and fear and carve my path. I must make my way. I cannot be stopped. I cannot be tortured by my own thoughts. I remember lines that have soothed my soul. The Leonardo's Bride hit Even When Im Sleeping (below), at the end when the majestic Abby Dobson sings 'don't be afraid' with such conviction, offering up an eternity of comfort. I find comfort in thinking that she too has travelled this path, with her machete.

Now I cannot feel envious of others. I can only feel strong in myself and stick to my path. Staying true to myself is all I can do. I can give my blessings too, to those who reach success, and I can feel comfort that somebody else found their way. Somebody else did what I am trying to do. I can feel camaraderie, and inspired by their success to keep going, keep going, keep going...

And if they take me flying on the magic carpet, see me wave.
If our communication fails I'll reconnect it, I want to rave.

I have started a new project Cocoa Jackson Lane, with the amazing Camilla Charlesworth. You won't find any poison on this record, just feel-good remedy. Single and Video out soon!

NOV 26

www.facebook.com/cocoajacksonlane

Awesome Photography by Alex Humphreys

www.facebook.com/HumphreysPhotography

fun things to report :D

2012-08-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

hi! whats been happening... HEAPS !!

1 so many of my sonicbids applications end up somewhere in the ether other than in a helpful place. but some things work out! i was recently selected to attend The Seed Management Workshop, held in the beautiful Blue Mountains, which will hopefully fill in all the holes in my self-managed career and teach me how to launch this puppy (and other puppies) to the next level!

2 i have been nominated in the Maori Music Awards 2012 in 3 Categories, such an honour !

Best Female Maori Solo Artist
Best Pop Album
Best Urban Album

3 i just hooked up an endorsement with mono who's cases are slick, sleek, and WATERPROOF. this means hard-working musos like me who end up in all sorts of weather waiting for cabs, buses, trains, only have to worry about our ego's getting water damage. ps i want the wallet

massive thanks to mono!

4 i just played on Berklee Radio and although i missed my audition for scholarship (my bad) i had fun infiltrating the place with the sounds of my lush band :)

i also had fun doing an interview with Tony, who let me play a few of my fav songs from growing up!

spanish harlem - aretha franklin
who da cap fit - bob marley

and some other yummy NZ bands, sola rosa and electric wire hustle!

5 i monitor this page daily brooo, facebook link here AMAZONWATCH just go and like it
and keep up to date to make sure a$$$$holes dont ruin it for everyone. and by everyone, i mean every single breathing iota on this planet.

its very, very, very simple

Jess Harlen is Published by Native Tongue Publishing
jessharlen@gmail.com

What's Up

2012-02-07T00:38:00.000-08:00

aloha!

the album is finished and its slamming! kicking, popping, grooving... hissing... i cant wait for you to get this in your headphones and pumping in your car stereos.

steve scanlon did an amazing job mastering it, he is a total ninja in the studio with serious avatar ears. working with him was an awesome experience and i learnt so much just by listening to music in a more sensitive way than i ever have.. i notice so much more in other records now

meanwhile, a beautiful group of supporters paid for the mastering via Pozible.com which totally surpassed my expectations. i was hoping to raise $1000 to pay for mastering but everyone just smashed that out of the park and donated over $4000 in the end! the project was 442% funded haha freaking amazing!!

so that extra money will be going towards touring and getting merch etc printed, so keep an eye out for shows popping up around Australia (and hopefully 1 or 2 in NZ!)

i am currently working on artwork for the CD and conceptualizing video clips, there will be a short promo video out soon with a glimpse of the sound of the record..... hoping to turn some heads :) so keep your ears pricked for that too!

ill be uploading a video tonight of snippets etc :)

thanks for staying tuned and constantly showing your support, you support has made a significant contribution to the progress in my career!

this album is way poppier than the last one but here is a lil reminder of what has been, and what is to come! cheers to the journey! (and the struggle and the hurdles and the STRUGGLE)

Record Label: Plethora Records (Obese)

Publishing: Native Tongue Publishing

Bookings: jessharlen@gmail.com

Run to the sun!

2011-11-30T20:49:00.000-08:00

Australia, Aria Awards gossip, Qld passing a civil unions bill, sunshine, bike lanes, im missing out on it all... wait for me!!

im escaping the Boston winter (take me to the tropics!) and coming to Australia to promote my upcoming album Park Yard Slang due for release FEB 2012, so shows will be popping up all around you, keep your eyes peeled!! the first one is at Miss Libertines the day i land, so please excuse the jet lag banter.. supporting Amir Sulaiman (i saw this guy on Def Poetry, killa) ill just be playing a solo acoustic set for half hr..

i was recently accepted into Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) and plan on beginning my studies there MAY 2012, once I have worked the release of my album.. why? sharpen my skills baby! need a grant to cover that ish, holla at me if you know of something..

more to the point, i will be headlining a show at 303 in northcote! (melbourne again, the rest ill get to you soon!) with a hot little band featuring Camilla Charlesworth on Bass and Alexandra Ortuso on Keys and epic BV's.
check poster for details!

i will also be playing BYRON BAY at the Beach Hotel on JAN 10, with a trio, couple of sets :)

cant wait to jump into that water!!

see ya'll soon xoxo

The Latest....

2011-08-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

2010 Jess Harlen released her debut album Neon Heartache produced by Mercury Prize winning Producer Plutonic Lab through Plethora Records. She went on to win Best Female Artist for this release at The Age EG Awards. Find film clips, reviews, interviews and other media below! Harlen is currently recording her second album Park Yard Slang and has just jumped off a world tour with roots giants Blue King Brown... Stay tuned..

Get The Album: Neon Heartache (Aus&NZ)

Jess Harlen in Blue King Brown, Germany

FILM CLIP: SINGLE: I GO

FILM CLIP: SINGLE: WATCH THE WATER

LIVE: ALBUM LAUNCH: Sold Out Show at NSC

ALBUM: REVIEWED: Stills and Quotes

VOCAL FEATURES

FILM CLIP: Muph & Plutonic FT Jess Harlen

AUDIO: Pegz FT Jess Harlen

FOOTAGE: Byron Bay Bluesfest Highlight:

Start at 3:11...

backing vocalist in BLUE KING BROWN

LIVE: Solo @ Montreal Jazz Festival

EPK: Blue King Brown

TV SPOTS

2007

2010

2011 (from 8:00min)

Bright Things TV S01 E03 from Bright Things TV on Vimeo.

more INTERVIEWS and REVIEWS from here and there...

Mentor Program

Scene Magazine

The Scene

The AU Review

The Border Mail

The Mercury

Soul Lounge

LINKS

facebook

myspace

Stay tuned, new album coming out Feb 2012...

ONLINE PRESS KIT AVAILABLE HERE

cocoa butter & an electric blanket

2011-06-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

im 27 in two weeks. i still feel 19 though, or something.. just a lil more jaded and easier to piss off. oh and also with 2 albums under my belt. you see, i finished the vocals to my second album tonight and caught a cab home in the cold and sat warm, feeling accomplished, watching the reflections of the colourful city lights on the wet pavement pass me by. im not sure how i feel now though. the house is quiet, my roomies are sleeping, i am alone and the cold is gripping the back of my neck, reminding me that im not really that comfortable. id settle for any kind of joyous acknowledgment right now. like a hug from someone that knows how difficult it has been to keep this afloat. like someone to crack a beer and cheers me. like some fool to high five me. instead i died my hair and spent too long in the shower. cascading hot water on a wintry night, is there anything more tempting?

now what

now i soak in cocoa butter and simmer down on an electric blanket. now i do my washing that has piled up in my neglect. now i go to that drs appointment. now i leave my life and go on tour with blue king brown for two months. south africa on tuesday..! now plutonic takes the reigns and sculpts the record into a masterpiece. cause he's a master. a fine man. a helpful and caring one. i meant, gangsta... ehemm

see what ive been learning lately, is it's not what you get out of people, it's the people you get son. the relationships you develop with people are the rewards. cause at the end of the day, like, especially midnight on sunday (the ultimate end of the day) if you aint got someone who loves you, you aint got shit.

so im sending my love out to all ya'll, cause no doubt thats the only thing that has kept me going with this, and here i am, 26 for another minute, with a couple of albums and a mexican wave of beautiful people around me. i just wish one was here right now.

night night

the second record..

2011-05-26T07:04:00.000-07:00

is on it's way.

it's too late to be this hungry. corn thins just aren't cutting it.

i've been in studio, having good days in the booth, having bad days in the booth (today - hence the impulse blog). the worst part of this recording process is, well, no there are 2 shit things about it.

1. it's currently my job, which isn't a paying job, which means i'm not exactly rolling in it at the moment - which always makes any situation a difficult one. huff.

and

2. the trains. public transport is rude. i waited 20mins for my train, in the bitter cold. caught it to the city, got off in some weird narnia exit of parliament station, then sprinted for my tram, taunting me from a distance, and just as i reached it it took off. it could have splashed a puddle in my face i was that close, and it was that inconsiderate. double huff. so i sat, in the bitter cold, for another 20mins. did i mention i got a fine for having my foot on the plastic bit between the seats?

inspector: 'have you got a ticket?'
me: 'yes' *retrieves ticket*
inspector: *hands back ticket* 'well i'm reporting you for having your feet on the seat'
me: :O

am i painting a clear picture? when peeps ask me what i do and i say i'm a musician, they always respond with 'what an interesting life, how exciting' etc. i think they think you just sleep in, or all day, and eat overpriced baguettes for lunch in rustic cafes, until it's stage time. perhaps they picture the 'tortured artist' scenario, where you drink cheap coffee, have artfully messy hair, own one pair of shoes and chase your dreams down the rabbit hole... giving up to the world light, even though you find yourself immersed in darkness and depression. buckley? drake? either way, people generally romanticise it.

its not romantic.

for the most part, it's laborious. there's always heavy shit to carry, stairs, asshole security, bands with ego's bigger than their hairdos that you have to share space with, or even worse, talk to. perhaps its a cold night, perhaps im particularly bitter because theres no chocolate in my house. or maybe im legitimately jaded. sometimes i wish for another life.. sometimes. but then there are reminders. speaking of which, pluto just sent me one. how on point is this dude

in other breaking news, im back on the tour bus briefly with blue king brown. off to the other side of the world to escape melbourne winter and embrace northern hemisphere summer. this also sounds glamorous. don't be fooled, i'll have my fair share of sleeping upright overnight in a van, traipsing the european country side. oh no, you're right, it does sound pretty romantic. aside from the sore ass thing.

bye for now

xx

ps. relax. im just whinging, so you can save the 'keep trudging on' comments. it's dosh i want. not inspiration. i have plenty of that. that's what got me into this mess in the first place.

inspiration = practice = writing songs = recording = no job = momentarily broke (= bitter)

Take 2 'I Go'

2010-02-06T19:54:00.000-08:00

so aside from developing a recent addiction to futsal, oh and sharing the bill with lauryn hill with blue king brown (raggafrikkinmuffin omg) ive also released the second single off my album 'neon heartache'.

give it a crack

fairy lights and tattoos

2009-08-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

i love both and i see them everywhere, especially in brixton beer gardens..

i miss my melbourne home. at the end of my bed is a vocal booth, and on the walls of the vocal booth are fairy lights. on the walls around my giant bed, home to an all-enveloping blanket, are pictures of new york, mexican beaches, new zealand, places ive been and loved. there are small buddhist reminders, paper rainbow prayer flags, a picture of the dalai lama, a picture of meeting him, artists. above the fire place are four framed prints of japan in different seasons. i cant wait to go. i am thinking of finishing my back tattoo there next year in spring when the cherry blossoms take over the street side.

i have just finished an enormous international tour with blue king brown. i saw amazing views of the world, met beautiful people that are too hard to describe. i succumb to the feeling in my chest, that only there, is the true understanding of what those places and people mean to me. there were awful times too, a lot of discomfort, impatience, loneliness, lasting hunger, sleepless weeks. i sat cramped in a van for way too long, and now have a numb leg that doesnt seem to ever feel right, unless im walking. apparently sitting for too long is unhealthy, and sends different chemicals through your body. id like not to have to work in an office again, knowing that.

i have been walking alot, all around london, with a good old friend of mine. i have been discovering new things about london that i love, old things that i loved, and reasons to come back. sweden had an unforeseen impact on me. i met a girl that i felt like i knew instantly. we didnt speak much though, bizarre, and then just like that, we were gone. good company is the greatest thing, isnt it? the country is breathtakingly beautiful. switzerland too. and i think i could live in berlin for 5 minutes. 5 minutes is a long time, lately. id also like to go back to amsterdam for a cafe pub holiday.

i went to pride, in brighton, which was so inspiring to see so many gay people having a ball and just totally feeling free publicly. 1000's of people! i always get a bit teary when i see PFLAG, and also the police in the parade and the fire fighters and ambos.. i know what a sook! but it tugs my heart strings. like, its brilliant to see all the colourful queers and rainbow people, glitter, wigs, fun, fake eyelashes, sequins etc.. and all those iconic gay images. but its also so re-affirming to see pride on the faces of people in their uniforms, government authorities, to see that they are heavily involved in running the world, and serving the community. of course we knooow this, but to see it, all at once, is awesome.

i have the album on the horizon. its been on my horizon for a looong time, but now i can actually see it, and its in my reach. plutonic is doing an amazing job in production land, and if you've ever produced tracks with old instruments and new sounds, and some solid gold collaboration, you'll know how exciting this feels right now. to make something! to love it. they dont often come together, but this time i like the landscape around it. im proud of it and i cant wait for you to hear it.