Young Entertainment got to chat with X Factor star Jennel Garcia. Jennel has only been around for a few year, but she’s taking on the industry strong. Here, Jennel talks about her experience on The X Factor, who she is as an artist and what she wants the audience to take away.
Young Entertainment: How did you get into music?
Jennel Garcia: I didn’t really get into music, music got into me. I can’t say that I remember the day when I wanted to sing because that’s just how and who I always was. It’s just a God given talent and passion that I was born with. I used to hum the entire melody to the Barney and Friends theme song before I could even talk.
YE: How would you best describe your sound?
JG: My sound is a very colorful type of pop/rock. For my upcoming EP, I used all authentic, real instruments that were manually played to keep that classic feel to the songs. I got a few tunes that are really punchy for that rock aspect but I also have a few you can even dance to, so some are very pop as well! Lyrically, I’m just an emotional young adult singing about my life. I think my sound is also fun mostly because it’s relatable.
YE: How was it going from The X Factor to being a part of the industry?
JG: The transformation my life made going from The X-Factor to the real world was really intense. TV is extremely different from the music industry and I think that’s something that the audience looking in doesn’t really grasp. It’s difficult staying in the public eye going from global television to being and independent artist who’s only platform is social media after the world just watched you so conveniently from their couches at home. The music business is hard to be in when you’re fresh out of high school, so you have to just roll with the punches and keep moving forward. I’m still learning new things three years later.
YE: What was it like on The X Factor? What’s your favorite memory and why?
JG: I loved my journey on The X-Factor. I can honestly say I didn’t really take it seriously when I auditioned because I never thought that I would have ever made it on the show at all. I don’t think I could ever really choose my favorite memory. I had such a great time the whole time I was there that choosing one moment that was my favorite would be impossible! Although, I did love seeing how proud and excited all my family and friends were. Seeing them so happy for me was priceless. I’m so blessed for such a wonderful experience so soon into my career as an artist.
YE: What has been the hardest part of the job?
JG: The hardest part of my job is being consistent. It’s hard staying on top of you’re 3-10 zillion social media pages, it’s hard to spend every dime you make on making more content when you only have pennies, it’s hard finding trustworthy people to partner with and work with to keep moving forward, it’s just all really hard honestly. But when things go right and fans tell you that they support you and you get good feedback, it’s all worth it. It’s so rewarding.
YE: What was the music video process like? And what was your favorite part?
JG: The music video process is exhilarating but exhausting! I had SUCH a grand time filming my first music video, I felt like a princess! It was a 13 hour shoot of non stop filming. The crew working on it were such troopers, I love them all. I really can’t say I had a favorite part of the process though. I loved going to California, meeting new people, collaborating with fans as my extras, getting glammed up, working with my director. It was all such a exciting, collaborative, creative process. I enjoyed all of it!
YE: What would you like the audience to take away from your music?
JG: I just want the audience to be able to play my song because they can relate to it. I want people to love the music and turn it up when they hear it, but mostly I just want it to be relatable. I want to be there for people when they feel like they don’t have anyone.
YE: Who would you say has been most influential in creating your sound?
JG: I’m not really sure who influenced me mostly while creating my sound for my EP. When I was in the studio, I was really big into The 1975, Paramore, and a classic 80s feel. I think I grasped as much from those sounds as I could and put it all in one. For the ballad on the record, I was aiming for My Everything by Ariana Grande. I love that song, I love the emotion. So one night after a long day in the studio, I sat at the piano and I wrote a ballad and it made it on the EP.
YE: What has the fan experience been like? Do you love it?
JG: The fan experience is so amazing. It’s one of the best things I got from being on The X-Factor. I love getting recognition and love from all different types of people all over the world. It’s an amazing thing for an independent artists or any artists really!
YE: Which is your favorite song to sing live? And what’s that like?
JG: My favorite song to sing live is my audition song, Paris (Oh La La) by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. It’s fun and sexy and a powerhouse song and I feel most comfortable singing it. I feel like that song has become a part of me.
YE: What can you tell others pursuing the same career? What are some do and don’ts?
JG: I always tell new artists that you just have to keep moving forward. As for do and don’ts: Do your BEST always and believe in yourself! Don’t rely on anyone fully 100% but yourself. You’re the captain of your own ship now so you have to take control.
YE: Is there anything you would have done differently? And if yes what would that be?
JG: There’s a lot of things that I would have done differently if I had known what I know now. I know a lot more about the business. The way I handled certain situations and the way I didn’t stick up for myself at times when things weren’t going my way and I felt I wasn’t being true to myself. I know how to approach situations better and three years ago I didn’t really know right from wrong. But I don’t think I’d want to go back and change anything. My journey has happened the way that it was meant to happen. I was meant to be on the show at 18 and fresh out of high school without really having a clue about the industry. I’m just thankful and I have no regrets!
YE: Who would you like to work with in the future?
JG: I would love to work with Steven Tyler. I just would love to sing with him someday. I think he’s got to be my favorite living vocalist. He’s a legend!
YE: While growing up what was your favorite song that you couldn’t stop listening and singing along to?
JG: Growing up I really never had a favorite specific song. I loved all types of music and artists. I always loved Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Le Ann Rimes, Ricky Martian. I loved singing and dancing to whatever I could sing or dance to, I loved it.
YE: What are you currently listening to?
JG: Right now my favorite songs to listen to are:
