Jayne Denham stops by THEAUSSIEWORD.COM.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
I grew up in a musical family and sang in our local church so I was on stage at a very early age, but it wasn’t till I was in high school that I knew I wanted to become an entertainer.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
I am always thinking of crazy ideas and often one word or a scene from a movie or a song will spark an idea that becomes a whole big direction and creative project. I love albums and the musical journey that you can create for people’s ears, so I am always creating more than just a song or a show but an experience.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?
I have been nominated for 5 Golden Guitars in my career so I do hope one day to take one home. Not having one has ever stopped me having a successful career, but it is on the bucket list to win one.
I also want to tour even more than I am to meet you people and loyal fans.
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
My latest song MOONSHINE is the first song & title track from my next Album, so I am excited to start rolling out more song this year. This year is shaping up to be my biggest ever for Festivals from Main stage Deni Ute Muster, Gympie Muster, NQ’s Rockin Country North QLD and many more so I am buzzing about all that and have a killer show to bring for the fans.
Tell us a bit about your latest release ‘Moonshine’ and how would you best describe your music?
I have always been the girl in Country music who likes to Rock and so Moonshine continues to deliver that style. Having Colt Ford feature was a huge thing for me as an Aussie to work with such a US legend and he sure did add something special to the song and video clip.
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
My brain is always going 100 miles an hour with creative ideas from writing to show ideas, video clip directions etc so I am forever writing down song ideas and if it the idea fits the direction of the next album, then off I go. But my strength is working in a team so I always turn up to song writing sessions with a clear directions for us all to aim towards and they love that this is my strength.
Success, what is the secret to it?
Just not giving up I think, I never what to be an artist who should have moved on to other things outside of being an artist so I always just keep walking forward and if a door opens I walk through it and give it a red hot go by working my butt off stay laser focused. Most of the time that door was the thing that kept my career going. Also you can’t get bitter about disappointment just shake it off and move forward because being in the music game is full of highs and lows so if you can try and ride in the middle of the waves it makes everything a lot more fun.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
I think getting to go to Alaska to film my video clip for ‘Black coffee and White lines’ with three of the Ice Road Truckers. Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think that would happen its one of the most beautiful places.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
Lainey Wilson, Tina Arena, Lee Kernaghan, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
Yes the new Album MOONSHINE will be out early next year & it is inspired by the music from the Prohibition era when Moonshining was a big thing its been fun to research its music.
The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself a few years?
I will tour and make music till I feel its time to do something else but for now I am focused on the new album and its release. I do see myself speaking and teaching other about the industry and what I have learned along the way. I have done a bit of that in the past as a Mentor at the ‘Academy of Country music’ so it will be nice to do more when the time is right.
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
Favourite thing is Performing and creating a fun live show.
Least favourite – getting up at 3:00am to get to the airport to get to a show on time.
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
I have so many talented friends in the industry so its hard to narrow it down but I have huge respect for what Lee Kernaghan, Amber Lawrence, Casey Barns, have achieved. I have seen their ups and downs and still they rise to the top with a good attitude & it has paid off.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
My second Album came out and about a year later digital began & so did social media. It was tough to rap your head around it all and the CD sales money disappearing. It was a tough time because I am the worst speller…ok so I didn’t pay enough attention in English only music class that was an epic fail choice lol so social media was hard for me & all the money from sales disappearing took out a lot of artists. But I somehow kept making enough money to keep going from live shows and smaller amounts of merch and CD sales. I still don’t make as much from digital as I did with thousands of CD sales, even a million streams does not get you much cash but the good news is your globally reach to new fans is awesome & what is exciting & is it grows daily so they predict if artists hang in there and keep building their global fans we will make more than we use to from CD sales because that was a one off $20 where as with digital it can become a daily income stream if people like your songs, the more they all play them the more money. So everyone – please have me on repeat THANKS lol.
How will you continue appealing to the international market?
Funny you should ask that question my first 2 albums were before digital music and social media so I was writing for Australians, but when my music blew up in the USA and I was invited to perform over there, they did not understand some of the things I was singing about like UTES for example so I had to change direction and write for a global market. I Love Aussie only music still but because of where my career took me I needed to pivot and it was fun to try and keep it me and Aussie girl but make sense to a global market. Christmas songs are the hardest but it’s a good challenge.
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
I have done it a lot and love doing it, it make a project so much fun to share the ride and in fact have a few in the pipeline now so might keep the wish list to a minimal to not jinx it. But Gretchen Wilson would be super cool to sing a song with. Maybe one day.
What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Figure out who you are as an artist, what your brand of music and image is and go hard become laser focused and never give up unless you feel you want to. I have learned you just never know who or what is just around the corner it’s a journey so enjoy it.
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?
I am on Facebook and Instagram most days so come say hi I love a good chat.
Any last words?
Hope you all enjoy my new song and video clip for MOONSHINE that we filmed with Colt Ford in Nashville.
Website: http://www.jaynedenham.com
Facebook: @denhamjayne
Instagram: @jaynedenham
Festival Dates:
Saturday 8th July – ‘Big Country Campout’, Riverwood Downs Resort, Monkerai NSW
Saturday 19th August – NQ’s Rockin’ Country, Mackay, QLD
Thursday 24th – Sunday 27th August – Gympie Muster
Friday September 29th – Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin NSW