Some people won’t be pinned down. Just when you think you got them comfortably pigeon-holed into one area of your music collection, they spin their creativity on its head and send your iTunes playlists into a frenzy of confusion. Is it EDM? Is it Rock? Is it Emo/Trance/Poptronica? How do you put all of that together and still come up with something that simply blows you away with every note ……… meet JES.

Beatsmedia recently caught up with JES to find out more!!

http://planetjes.com

Beatsmedia: As an artist who achieved her first vocal recording at age 16, was music the career you always envisioned for yourself? Was there ever a time when you could see yourself pursuing a different career path?

JES BRIEDEN: I actually first recorded a song at age 14 called, “Wasted On Your Love.” I don’t think I even had a boyfriend yet. It’s so funny, but no, I never did see myself doing anything else. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. It was a big dream for me, but as soon as I recorded my first song, that was it. I was amazed at the whole process and the outcome, that I never thought about not making it my life. I had wanted to act and I went on auditions a lot, but I didn’t really enjoy the feel of the acting scene. I still love to act, but it is singing and writing for me all the way.

Beatsmedia: Growing up in New York City, what were some of the earliest challenges you encountered breaking in to the EDM scene?

JES: When I was in New York City, I wasn’t doing dance music, I was mostly doing pop-rock oriented style songs. I was always going out to clubs, but I didn’t know anything about the dance scene other than the words to all the songs and dancing to them all night long. I am continually leaning a bit more about it even today. I think it’s always the same challenges in music no matter what style. I went out to shows, searched the trade papers for band auditions, met and worked with many different producers. You have to just get out there and live the music. I struggled to find that “in,” but the more I went out and met different people, the more I expanded my work, and within time I got a break. I have been working to elevate that ever since. You have to keep pushing until you connect with the right people and create a scene where you can create the music you believe in.

Beatsmedia: Dance music is quite mainstream in Europe, but it sits somewhere between underground and mainstream in the U.S. Out of all of the regions of the world where you’ve played, which ones in particular have the greatest connection with your music?

JES: Well the great thing about EDM is that it is so far reaching. It’s finally sort of come into its own time and is so popular all over the world. I perform all over and find there are so many regions that I connect to. I recently played in the Middle East and I’ve been there many times and I love it. The crowds are wonderful and warm and very into dance music, so I always feel a special connection to all my friends there. I am in Mexico as I write this, and again the crowds are overwhelming with love. I always have great shows in Asia and really connect with the people there. I love that there is no barrier with language in music. It transcends the language and I find even if the fans don’t speak English, they still sing with me and we communicate just fine.

Beatsmedia: What is most special about playing on home turf, and where is your favorite city to play?

JES: I think the most special thing about playing on my home turf is that I can invite my mother, sister, and my best friends to come out and share the night with me and they get to see me perform…which is rare. I played at the Hammerstein Ballroom with Tiësto in NYC and I had them all there. It was so incredible because half the time, they don’t even have a clue what I’m up to. [laughs] I also spend half my time in L.A. and I like to play there too, but it’s so funny, I have so many friends there, I get nervous when I play in L.A. One of my favorite cities to play in, in the U.S., is Denver.

RELEASES

Beatsmedia: One of your most well recognized productions is “As The Rush Comes” with Gabriel and Dresden as Motorcycle. Can you tell us a little bit about how this project came about?

JES: Well… one night I was out in a club in L.A. singing with another DJ and this very eccentric and funny guy started chatting me up. That is how I met Dave Dresden…appropriately late at night, in a club while singing a song. We hit it off. Fast-forward to the following weekend in San Francisco at Josh Gabriel’s studio and a whirlwind weekend of recording and out of that session came “As The Rush Comes.” The whole idea of progressive dance music was sort of new to me so I was very inspired by the sound of it and it was a good time for all of us. From that song, we formed Motorcycle. After trying out a bunch of names that one just fit and the rest is history.

Beatsmedia: The three of you formed the outfit “Motorcycle”, with numerous iconic releases to follow. Any plans to re-ignite this alias in the future?

JES: We don’t have any plans to reunite. I think we have all moved on from that time. As cliché as it is sounds, one door closes and another one opens, but I know we still have our connection, so if the time is right, you never know.

Beatsmedia: Your career has seen remarkable far-reaching appeal, including performing alongside Beyoncé on “Top Of The Pops” in England. Do you think artists today are too quick to pigeonhole themselves as either “underground” or “commercial”?

JES: I think the artists don’t necessarily pigeonhole themselves as much as the industry does. With the Internet and wider access to music, I think most artists feel more freedom to create, and the palate is much wider now. Still, to get that music to people you still have to package it somehow, and find ways to promote it. So, if there weren’t some commercial effort, most people would never hear your work. Sometimes, it seems like the one difference between the commercial and underground status is the way the artist gets their work out and how the music fans experience the music.

Beatsmedia: What do you feel it takes for a production to have such remarkable crossover interest?

JES: A great hook doesn’t hurt … but that’s such a good question. I guess I’m still trying to figure that out! I think sometimes a song can just be in the right place at the right time and really capture a mood that people are feeling. It comes to be a part of that time or scene, and when that happens, the success of the song can just snowball.

Grab your Copy

Beatsmedia: Your latest album Unleash the Beat (Ultra Music/Magik Muzik) is due out for release this month. What can we expect from this release?

JES: This release is my debut mix album. I wanted to be the DJ on this one! I wanted to start out with some of the classic songs I’m known for and then bring it into the present. I included some new unreleased songs, some unreleased mixes, and then mixed them up. I will release this as my series because I could have made this as two CD set or more…

Beatsmedia: As your fourth artist album, how do you endeavor to stay creative with each new album?

JES: One of my biggest problems is that I just have too many things rushing though my head all the time. I’m always a couple of steps ahead of myself with ideas for songs. As long as I keep listening to music and living, the ideas keep coming. I definitely push everyday to get better at my writing and singing. I do have to really dig deep to find inspiration and something to say, but every album is a new beginning and that is very exciting in and of itself.

Beatsmedia: Can you share with us one unique aspect about this album that makes it unique from your previous three albums?

JES: This album really sits in EDM. On my other albums, I didn’t restrict myself to the “dance sound.” I framed them according to how I feel they should be. This album is purely dance, but I really liked having a specific direction with it and creating that journey.

Beatsmedia: What is your favorite track from the new album and why does this one stand out so much for you?

JES: Always the loaded question. I really like this song I did with Ronski Speed called “Can’t Stop.” I debuted it at a show to see how the crowd would respond, and they went wild, so that is a good sign. I also love a song called “Back To You” that is about being on the road. But then I also love “Before You Go” and “Fascination.” I’m into them all, and man, that is hard for me to say. You know you work on many songs and the ones you love make it onto the record.

Beatsmedia: When and where can we pick up our copy?

JES: It is coming out worldwide on June 20th 2011. I’m also having a remix contest for the title track, “Unleash The Beat,” with prizes and a release with me on Black Hole Recordings. I am asking the fans to help me finish the record. You can sign up and get the stems at unleashthebeat.com with remix details and rules there. I am very excited about this and look forward to hearing all the remixes.

Beatsmedia: Congratulations on also recently winning the 2010 International Songwriting Competition in the electronica category for the second year in a row! As the world’s leading global songwriting contest, can you tell us a little bit about what this honor means to you?

JES: Well, songwriting is so interesting and has always meant a lot to me. It’s definitely nice to be recognized in any way for your work and these accomplishments keep me going. So, to be recognized for the craft of writing songs is of course a great honor. I am thrilled to be included with such great global talent and recognized among them, especially knowing many of the judges are fellow artists and songwriters. I was especially happy that my song “Awaken” won. “Awaken” is a special song because it holds a lot of meaning and that they picked a song that has a great message, as well as a great beat, made this award even better.

HOBBIES AND OTHER INTERESTS

Beatsmedia: Late last year you completed the Honolulu Marathon to help fight AIDS. How important are philanthropic pursuits to you and why have you chosen to get on board with the battle against AIDS specifically?

JES: I have been given so many gifts in life and I am in a place now where I can help others, so it’s very important to me now to get involved in many charities. This specific charity for AIDS is a great organization with so many amazing people involved in it. I became so enamored with their strength and what a lovely group they all are. They work so hard that I wanted to be a part of it. I really enjoyed the marathon and raising money so much, I can’t stop talking about it. As someone who is not a person who chooses running as their sport of choice, I have to say I am a runner now and so addicted to it. It was one of the best experiences of my life and that we raised $600,000 dollars in the end was a beautiful achievement. I have also worked with The Wounded Warriors Charity and have performed at L.A. Pride. I am now involved with a charity to help children and I have worked with the homeless too. I think in the business I am in, in which you can get very self-absorbed, it’s nice to make sure you keep yourself connected to what we can do to make things better for others.

Beatsmedia: How can we make a donation to this cause ourselves?

JES: You can visit their site at http://apla.convio.net/ but also look out for my new site for the Awaken campaign coming soon. http://www.awakencampain.com for more info. Also check out this video:

Beatsmedia: With a hectic tour schedule and continuous studio projects, how do you find the balance between work and play?

JES: It is very hard. Still something I wish I could do better and I am working on it. I’m having a good time though! I like to work and when I’m not working, I get bored and find more things to do. The business works at such a fast pace I tend to move with it and I don’t do much of anything else now but I am certainly trying to fit more free time in.

Beatsmedia: With 24 hours off from the world, what would be your ultimate way to unwind?

JES: It would start with a nice massage outside on a quiet beach…a little time relaxing with a book, then swimming. Then, maybe a horseback ride on the beach, another massage, and then some sleep!

Beatsmedia: We hear your birthday was just the other week! Happy Birthday! What did you do to celebrate the special occasion this year?

JES: Thank you! I had just arrived back from a long trip with a very big time difference. I did take the day off and went to sit on the beach. It was beautiful. I went to have a birthday Mai Tai out on the deck of this gorgeous restaurant overlooking the water but I wanted to rush back because my friends were going to take me out. When I got home, I passed out and woke up in the morning. [laughs] I missed my party but got some sleep. [laughs]

Beatsmedia: Finally, what tour dates have you got coming up? Where can we catch you behind the mic next? You can always keep up with my latest shows in the touring section on my website:

JES: I’ll be in L.A. for a couple dates, then we are off to Asia for a tour. I am heading home to NYC for some East Coast dates and then heading back to the Middle East. You can always keep up with me on Facebook on my fan page, facebook.com/jespage, my twitter.com/official_jes, and also on my website planetjes.com for all my dates.

For more information, visit www.blackholerecordings, www.ultrarecords.com, www.planetjes.com.

Posted in: Featured, Interviews | Posted on June 18, 2011 by Beatsmedia