LA-based artist Jordana Lilly returns with the release of her vibrant new single Locked Up, out now via Beardfire Music.
Combining R&B, funk and pop sensibilities, Locked Up is undeniably infectious from the offset. Jordana’s soulful vocal tone soars effortlessly over dynamic brass flourishes, contemporary rhythms and highly relatable lyrics in order to create a sound that feels both playful and poignant. Talking about the single, Jordana explains, “ironically, I wrote Locked Up before the world began its lockdown. It’s essentially about being stuck with yourself, and the journey to accepting that, then going so far as to celebrate it. Perspective shifting has saved my life and my sanity, more times than I can count. Maintaining positive mental health is all about doing the work – which is something I think then whole world is really realizing right now.”
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Jordana about the new music, technology, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
Jordana Lilly here – a pop/r&b singer-songwriter hailing from the Silicon Valley in Northern California. Steve Jobs went to my high school – growing up surrounded by the tech industry showed me pretty quickly what I DIDN’T want to do. It wasn’t until I graduated from Chapman University with a BFA in Theatre that I began to explore my musical interests beyond my love of musical theatre. Having trained as an actor, it peaked my interest to leverage the way lyrics can be a means of storytelling and vocals can be a medium of dramatic performance. My musical theatre roots bring the theatricality to my music. My deep love of jazz bring the riffs/fluidity/watery nature of my outros. My love of pop brings that sweet, dry, pop sheen, like a nice sauvignon blanc (I googled that, I don’t know wine other than white, red and pink. I just wanted to sound fancy). Like most, my music is an amalgamation of everything I listen to and everything I love. In Locked Up’s case, I think the combo is pretty unique and makes for an original mixture: musical theatre, R&B, jazz, and pop – usually culminating in sparkly, sultry, DRAMA.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
I’ve never NOT had a song in my head. I’ve always been a secret singer of sorts. When no one paid attention to me, sure, I could belt “And I’m Telling You” in a jiffy. Don’t get me wrong, I loved attention, but as soon as music notes were expected to come out of my face, shutdown mode activated.
It was my grandmother and creative idol, Marsha Lilly, who introduced me to the concept that perhaps my fear of singing in front of people was selfish. As I was preparing for RENT callbacks senior year of college, I lamented to her, admitting that I was terrified. She suddenly grasped my hands and said to me with startling intensity and tears in her eyes, “You were given a voice. Now why in God’s name wouldn’t you use it?” I remember that moment viscerally. That perspective shift was a gift, and it changed everything for me. My first time singing a whole song in front of an audience was senior year of college when I played Maureen in RENT. It was invigorating. Spiritual. The stage is my sanctuary, and this thing I was so afraid of was suddenly my tool.
I released my first single in October of 2017. I wrote the song the day after my grandmother passed away. I was notified of her passing several moments before stepping on stage as Portia in the Merchant of Venice. She was the first person I called when I was cast. The Portia I brought to this production was our Portia, Grandma Marsha’s and mine. The woman who taught me to value Shakespeare over tiffs with friends, to prioritize my duty of sharing my gifts over the act of catering to my ego, helped me through the show that day. The single is called “Step into the Light,” it’s about having the courage to be seen at the most vulnerable of times. It seemed only fitting that my musical career began because of Grandma Marsha. I haven’t stopped writing music since.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
Eryn Allen Kane, Jill Scott, Emily King, Nai Palm, Jacob Collier, Prince and Gabriel Garzon Montano are some of my all time favorites. Almost all of these artists whom I am utterly obsessed with have an affinity for complex syncopation and rhythm that keeps you on your toes, constantly building and releasing tension the way jazz does.
As a comedian, I find catharsis in relatability. Therefore really specific themes that are also deeply relatable really cut deep. For example, “Radio” by Emily King, about music being her savior and “Have Mercy” by Eryn Allen Kane, a heartbreakingly beautiful song shining a light on humanity at its core.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
Ironically, I wrote Locked Up before the world began its lockdown. Its spastically funk nature derived from its theme: the idea of being stuck on a ship in the middle of a dicey, stormy sea being a metaphor for the chaos of anxiety. It’s essentially about being stuck with yourself, and the journey to accepting that, then going so far as to celebrate that. Perspective shifting has saved my life, saved my sanity, more times than I can count. Locked Up goes through the process of the churning of the motors in your mind — by the time the bridge rolls around, we’re at that moment of epiphany, that moment of flipping the previous perspective of “I can’t believe I have to be stuck with myself for good. This is overstimulating.” to “I can’t believe I GET to be stuck with myself for good. This is overstimulating in the best way – this is a PARTY!” The upbeat, major musicality of the song suddenly transforms from ironic to completely fitting, and the rest of the song is a celebration. Of yourself, of your mind, of doing the work. Maintaining positive mental health is all about doing the work – which is something I think the whole world is really realizing right now, when confronted with a lot of personal stuff we usually get to hide from via our busy schedules and hectic lives. My mental health has definitely been an ongoing battle for me, especially during these trying times. But we’re all there. And I’ve seen SO much personal growth happening as a result of being forced to stop and confront every part of ourselves. Locked Up is about this ongoing journey of how we view the chaos in our head – it reminds us that being stuck with yourself is a cause for celebration. So basically a grand ole funky party!
What was the last song you listened to?
Singer-songwriter Grace Kay came out with such a gorgeous, ephemeral, uplifting cover of “Dancing Queen” about a week ago and I’ve had it on repeat since. The lush harmonies and Grace’s warm vocal tone immerse the listener in comfort. It’s like a perfectly warm bubble bath of self compassion and bliss!
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
There’s nothing like a good CD I can just pop in my car and listen from beginning to end. I wish I could be one of those people who only listens to Vinyl but alas, I don’t live in Silverlake and I don’t drink coffee.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I’m partial Spotify – I have no idea how they do it but Spotify’s algorithms know me better than I know myself. One time my Daily Mix consisted of NPR, songs from the Sarah Bareilles musical “Waitress,” and five minute tracks of different rain sounds. At first I was like “um Spotify wtf who do you think I am?!” Then I listened and it was strangely exactly what I needed and I was like “yeah, you’re right Spotify, sorry I ever doubted you. “
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?
The biggest challenge I think is to not to get discouraged when my music doesn’t extend past my immediate circle. The algorithm approach 100% works for me as a listener, but the back side of this is that if not enough people listen to your music right after it comes out, it’s rather difficult to garner enough attention to be considered for playlists and extend your music’s reach beyond your network/fans – which, of course, is the goal.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
Instagram & Spotify! Pop on by and say hello!
Instagram: http://instagram.com/iamjordanalilly
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cxkewEGMWCJdZZUZkZTgm?si=_Zpkgb0wSAKghTfJJI3MSg
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Here is a launch page for streaming Locked Up – https://jordanalilly.fanlink.to/locked-up
Also I released a full length album earlier this year – you can find all its links here! https://unitedmasters.com/m/smallcapitals
Don’t forget that these ~unprecedented times~ ARE challenging and you have a right to be feeling whatever you’re feeling and we will get through this and you’re killing it!
