NW Noise Interviews
Amy Jay - NWN Internet Interviews
Photo by John Waskey
NW Noise is pleased to present a May 2008 internet interview with a newcomer to the PDX indie music scene, Amy Jay. NW Noise had interviewed Amy along with artist Libbie Schrader at The White Eagle Saloon in early May 2008, but a technical snafu deleted the audio for that incredible, now lost podcast interview. Oops on us! Read below for some internet interview goodness from Amy Jay!
NWN
What can you tell us about your debut album which you’re currently working on? How far into the entire process are you and your team in regards to this debut album of yours?
AJ
I’ve been working on it since March 2006, and finally – there is an end in sight! The tracks are being mastered and I hope to have copies available this summer.
NWN
Who’s producing the record? What city and studio are you involved with in recording your debut?
AJ
I’ve been recording at Forster Sound down in L.A., and working with Paul McKenna, a great producer/engineer/mixer. He has won a few Grammy Awards, and has worked with artists like Sting, Tori Amos & Lenny Kravitz. It was extremely encouraging throughout this project to know that he had faith in me and respected me as an artist.
NWN
Have you decided on a name for the album yet? How many tracks will be on the record?
AJ
There are going to be 12 tracks – but no title yet. Picking a name is really hard!
NWN
Do you know what track will be the first single?
AJ
I think it’s going to be my cover of Patty Griffin’s Rain. It’s one of my favorite songs to sing, and I’m really happy with how the track turned out.
NWN
How did your long time friend, Libbie Schrader, get involved with your album? How has she contributed to it, and is there any advice she’s given you along the way that’s been valuable here in the beginning stages of your musical endeavors?
AJ
Libbie was living down in L.A. while I was working on the album, so we always got together when I came into town. I started playing her tracks during the process to get her feedback and she would hear little things here and there to add to the background. Libbie is an incredibly talented musician and I really value her opinions – and everything she suggested was awesome! She ended up coming into the studio with me and putting down background vocals on seven of the 12 tracks.
NWN
You had your first club gig at The White Eagle in Portland, OR recently. What were you expecting coming into this performance, and what were your reactions and thoughts at the end of your set? What was it like also accompanying Libbie on backing vocals in her set on a few songs?
AJ
I didn’t really have any expectations of the show, I was just excited to get up and perform some of the songs that have come to mean so much to me over the past few years! I felt like it was very well received and I’m looking forward to doing it again. Libbie and I have been singing together for a long time, and I’ve gotten up and backed her at couple of shows down in L.A. recently – it’s always fun, I love Libbie’s music.
NWN
You had a ton of family, friends and co-workers at your debut club performance. Can you describe the emotions going through you seeing your mother out in the audience, along with other important people in your life there cheering you on?
AJ
My mom has seen me perform lots of times, so it wasn’t unusual to look out and see her face. It was encouraging that so many of my friends and family showed up – but we’ll see who my real friends are when I’m asking people to come see my 10th, 20th, 30th and so on performance…
NWN
Can people expect Amy Jay to book more venues in 2008 upon the debut album release? If so, would you keep it relegated to the Portland area, all over the Northwest or possibly even the entire west coast?
AJ
I hope so! I think I will stick to the Portland area, at least in the beginning. I’m I no hurry to strap my baby to my back and hop on a tour bus…
NWN
Being a multi-faceted woman with raising a family, helping run a business and launching a music career, has it been difficult to balance all these areas of life?
AJ
It is definitely time-consuming…I think I have about 100 articles of clothing in my ironing pile right now and I can’t remember the last time I blow-dried my hair!
NWN
People might not know that professional golfer and University of Oregon alumnus Peter Jacobsen is your dad. How did he inspire, encourage and guide you into a life of music? For the viewers, can you briefly explain how your dad was involved in music and how all that rubbed off onto you?
AJ
He is such a music-lover, and a talented musician himself. Often while I was growing up he would get out the guitar, and I would sit at the piano and we would have a jam session. He also introduced me to a lot of my favorite artists such as Jethro Tull, Cream, Bruce Hornsby, the Eagles and Edwin McCain. I could really write paragraphs for this answer…
NWN
Being in a golfing family, do you play? If so, what’s your handicap? Do you ever get out on the course with your dad?
AJ
No, I’m not a golfer. And even better – I was never forced to play!
NWN
Do you have a favorite golf course to play at or simply be at?
AJ
I like to watch golf! I really enjoy Pebble Beach, it’s so beautiful right on the water and there are incredible houses to look at all throughout the course.
NWN
Which musicians, artists, friends, family members and whoever else have been an inspiration to you and your dream of a music career?
AJ
Wow, that’s a tough one to answer. I’ve probably been most strongly influenced by my dad, though the rest of my immediate family and my husband are extremely encouraging as well.
NWN
What’s currently playing on Amy Jay’s iPod these days the most?
AJ
I have a really broad taste in music – I like almost everything! I pretty much just don’t enjoy house/techno – probably because I can’t sing along. I always enjoy finding fun, new music that I can sing along to in the car – these days it’s Sara Bareilles. I also love Patty Griffin, Michelle Branch, Eva Cassidy, Nina Simone, Van Morrison, Jeff Buckley, Indigo Girls, G. Love & Special Sauce, Michael Buble, Cat Stevens, John Mayer, Ray LaMontagne and Maroon 5, but I also couldn’t live without Eagles, Sublime, Tenacious D, Jethro Tull, Alice & Chains, Tool, Nirvana and Soundgarden… see where I’m going with this?
NWN
Recount for me your view on venues that allow smoking. I loved both what you and Libbie had to say about this in the “lost interview”.
AJ
I mean no disrespect to the smoking community, but I think my response was, “disgusting.”
NWN
Do you have a “dream venue” you’d love to perform at someday?
AJ
I’ve thought it over and, since I grew up going to see live music in Portland, my dream venue would have to be La Luna. I was so sad when it closed – and turned into The Womb, or something like that?
NWN
Which artist currently tops your list as far as musical collaboration is concerned?
AJ
Hmm. That’s a really good question. To keep it current, probably John Mayer. He is such a talented musician. His live shows are incredible…his songs are great, but his blues guitar is what keeps me coming back for more!
NWN
Do you have a favorite movie? A favorite TV show? A favorite book?
AJ
Jeez, another tough one. I love a lot of movies, but I could watch Wet Hot American Summer over and over and over again. Also, I have to admit that I died a little inside when the writer’s strike caused Heroes season 2 to end early. I read a lot and love books, but my all time favorite story is A Little Princess. I dare you to read it and not cry!
NWN
Are you a cat or dog person?
AJ
Is it PC to say neither? I mean, if I had to pick it would be cats because that is what I grew up with, but I’m really allergic to both, so I currently run a no pet household.
NWN
Amy, thank you very much for visiting with Northwest Noise. When your album is released, we would love to do a podcast with you. If we can promise our podcast equipment is working (unlike at White Eagle), can this happen? J
AJ
Anytime…I’m happy to talk to you guys, on or off paper!
Thanks again to Amy Jay for her time with Northwest Noise.
Check out I Get By below from Amy Jay’s upcoming debut record due out this summer!
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