J. Antonette is a New York based country singer songwriter. We got to chat about her EP “Paper Trail”, her movement NYDoesCountry, and her upcoming show on March 4th at Rockwood Music Hall. Check out the interview below!
upfrontNY: How does country music make you feel?
J.Antonette: Ultimately it makes me feel at peace in my soul. I’ve performed/recorded different genres of music in the past, but Country has always had my heart. I grew up with it. It is my roots.
upfrontNY: When did you know that you wanted to pursue music as a career?
J.Antonette: Believe it or not, I never wanted to be a singer. I was glued to the idea that I only wanted to be a writer. I’ve been writing since I was a young girl almost as a form of therapy. I hated to sing in front of people when I was a young. My family would make me get up and perform at family functions and I hated it. I was so insecure about it. I really decided this was going to be a life long career after I got my first backup gig signing for Melissa Etheridge. It opened my eyes to so many things about myself and music in general. Being on a large stage and seeing the impact that her lyrics and voice had on people forever changed me.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your EP Paper Trail?
J.Antonette: The “Paper Trail” EP was my first country collection of songs I’ve ever released. It was my entrance into the world of country music. It was an amazing learning experience and so much fun working with some of my closest friends. I titled it “Paper Trail” because I started writing it while traveling throughout Europe for one month. I wrote different songs in different countries. When I came back to the U.S., I showed my producers and we finished them up. I left a paper trail of melodies and lyrics all the way back to New York.
upfrontNY: Do you have a favorite song from Paper Trail?
J.Antonette: If I have to choose, I would say “Hello, Goodbye.” The lyrics are a literal conversation that I had with an ex at a party. The lyrics and melody flowed out of me after I left the party. I brought the idea to my good friend/ co-writer, Stephan Hovsepian who help me turn it into what you hear today!
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your song “Let Me Love You”.
J.Antonette: “Let Me Love You was my first pop single! I love this song! It will forever be my baby. The start of everything! Much like “Hello, Goodbye” this song was about the same ex, but this was when we were in the “love” phase. I love singing this song and I usually still sneak into every performance!
upfrontNY: Do you have a favorite song, lyric, or quote that inspires you?
J.Antonette: “The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.” – Bob Marley
upfrontNY: You have also toured as a backup singer for Melissa Etheridge and you performed as a backup singer for Michael Bolton. What were these experiences like?
J.Antonette: It’s such an incredible experience to perform with the musicians that I grew up listening to. Melissa’s tour was something I just fell into. I never planned for it or auditioned for it. It was the beginning of my professional music career. Before that, I was a writer, who hid behind lyrics because I was too afraid to be the lead. That tour, although short, taught me so much about myself, my strength, and what it would take for me to move forward. Singing with Michael was great too! I’m good friends with a few of the people in his band so we had such a fun time. It didn’t take me long to learn the music since I used to sing them in the mirror with my hair brush as a girl! He was such a pleasure to sing with.
upfrontNY: You created a movement #NYDoesCountry. Can you tell us about this?
J.Antonette: NYDoesCountry is about letting the world know that country music (or any type of music for that matter) can come from anyone anywhere. When I was writing my “Paper Trail” EP, I was faced with this stereotype that I wouldn’t make it unless I moved somewhere southern or sounded a certain way, dressed in daisy dukes etc. I said “Screw that.” I’m going to be who I am. I love everything that is classic country, but I am so proud to be who I am. I’m proud to be where I come from too. Country music is changing. There are so many talented people all over the world NYDoesCountry is my attempt to show some amazing country talent that NY has. Let’s not forget that the state of New York is HUGE! I’m for a very small country town in upstate NY.
upfrontNY: You have a show coming up on March 4th at Rockwood Music Hall. What is the best part of performing for you?
J.Antonette: Every time a perform I grow. I grow in confidence. I grow in self love. I connect with people. It’s such a terrifying yet wonderful experience for me. I like to share a bit of myself with the crowd.
upfrontNY: What does 2019 look like for you?
J.Antonette: 2019 looks like a year of touring, co-writing and beyond! I have a brand new single, “Something I Said” coming out very soon along with a whole new bad ass country EP with some of the best Nashville has to offer.
NYC FAVORITES
Favorite NYC Music Venue: Rockwood Music Hall – It offers amazing sound and I have not only great memories performing there (upcoming show there on March 4th at 8PM), but watching incredible musicians there as well!
Favorite NYC restaurant: I’m really on a Ramen kick this month so I’d say any Ramen restaurant!
Favorite season in NYC: Fall in New York is the absolute best! The foliage is amazing!
Favorite thing about NYC: There is such an energy about NYC. My favorite thing is the diversity. Diversity in food, music, culture, and fashion. You can be whoever you want to be any day of the week.
Favorite NYC experience or memory: I have so many, but this past summer I had the chance to see one of my favorite bands “East Pointers” in Central Park. It was an amazing show!
Follow along with J.Antonette on Instagram: @j_antonette and Twitter: @jtonez
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