Jen Awad is a treasure, a product of two different and interesting cultures. A musical combination of voice and power that takes us back to the nostalgic eighties. She is releasing her new single “Moonlight”, a sneak peek of her debut album “Existential Daydream” which is described by herself as a celebration of the mess that is life and the end of a really long chapter in her life.
We’re proud to bring you today an insightful look at this creative powerhouse, so we can all get to know her a little better on her way to the very top.
“Moonlight” was one of those songs that catches you from the very first moment and it fills you with nostalgia and a dramatic atmosphere. What does this song mean to you as an artist?
Moonlight is a song that was never supposed to be a thing. It was a bitter ramble I did on the piano about someone who broke my heart. He loved to show off how he moved on without me sending me pics of his travels. It was like salt on a wound. This person kept living their life while I was still living in the shadow of what went wrong.
Let’s talk about the video for “Moonlight” because although you get to feel the pain of the situation, it also turns out to be quite liberating. Who came up with the concept and what was the process of making it like?
I’ve been carrying the vision with me for a while now so when I wrote the treatment. It literally poured out of me. This process was special because I had a hand in all of it. I produced it, I assistant directed it, I created the schedule and creative directed it. I’m very proud of this video and I had an amazing team of friends who helped get this video shot in 8 hours. I met the director Joe Corea when I was having a late one and when I saw his reel I knew he was the person for me to work with.
Let’s talk about your beginnings in music Jen. Was it something spontaneous that you saw in your family or were you a kind of “outsider” in music?
I think I’ve always considered my elf an outsider lol. I think growing up in a family with 2 very diverse backgrounds gave little room for communication and vulnerability. Singing and writing songs was a way for me to confront people and situations that scared me growing up. It was a tool to vent and sing all the things I felt right to someone’s face.
Peruvian and Egyptian roots! A very particular mix, what has this cultural mix brought to your music?
It means I like my drums intense and my outfits LOUD.
Any specific artists from those countries you listen to?
Yes “Los Saicos” from Peru, the queen Yma Sumac and Egyptian shredder Omar Kroshid
How has been the musical journey from “Falling for me” to “Moonlight”? How has Jen evolved from then to today?
I def learned a lot in the process of recording and executing visuals. Take no shit, communicate your needs and trust your vision.
We are looking forward to hearing your album “Existential Daydream”. Tell us something, what styles will we find there? What will be the common thread of the album?
ED is a 70s/80s rock and roll wonderland. My producer Eric Jackowitz and I listened to a lot of ELO, Queen, Fleetwood, Supertramp and hot chocolate to execute that sound.
The 8 tracks on ED are a collection of songs id written throughout my 20’s when I was feeling my messiest. It’s a celebration of the mess that is life and all the characters that play role on it. It’s the end of a very looooong chapter.
Story: Mariana González Photos: Courtesy of the artist
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