Introduction
Hey, I'm Jenny Scara, originally from New Jersey and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. My journey into music is a bit unconventional. I was a music-loving jock, primarily focused on soccer during my early years. Music was a passion I pursued casually until things changed in high school. As I got my first guitar and began writing my own music, my talents became evident. I eventually played soccer at Illinois State University while continuing to write songs, gaining confidence as my teammates appreciated my music. Graduate school further fueled my music journey, and here we are. My love for music stems from the electric thrill of creating and sharing it with others.
Musical Style
My music is a bit challenging to categorize into one specific genre, which I think is a common dilemma for many artists. I'd describe it as having an indie rock/pop vibe. My musical influences are diverse, ranging from classic rock to late 2000s pop, alternative, indie, folk, EDM, soul, rap, jazz, blues, and funk. I was involved in concert band and jazz band, so I have a background in classical music and standard jazz as well. My family's holiday music choices leaned towards swing singers like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. I even had a phase of being into Math Rock.
I've always considered myself a "jack of all trades, master of none." I tend to dabble in many different areas of music, pulling inspiration from various genres. So, while my songs might fall under the category of indie rock, you'll find elements influenced by artists like Anderson Paak, Thundercat, Tame Impala, Griz, The Strokes, and more. It's almost as if every song I create has a little something for everyone, regardless of their musical preferences.
Inspirations
When it comes to inspiration for my music, it often stems from other musicians and what Rick Rubin calls "The Source." It's hard to pinpoint a single source of inspiration; it can vary from song to song. Sometimes it's a feeling, other times it's a set of songs I heard recently on Spotify, or it could even emerge spontaneously while I'm playing guitar with a friend.
During my early days of learning the guitar, I was drawn to folkish songs by artists like The Lumineers, Margo and the Nuclear So and So's, and George Ogilive, whom I discovered on Soundcloud in 2015. At that time, I was also listening extensively to Young the Giant. These influences left their mark on my music. Over time, my songwriting has evolved into a mix of various inspirations, resulting in a genre-blending approach.
One memorable example of inspiration striking was during my graduate school days. I was reading liberal political theory articles (my master's degree focused on Politics and Government with an emphasis on American Politics and Political Theory), and I found myself frustrated with the way the business system in the United States operated. I questioned why we make the act of going to work so miserable when, essentially, we're forced to do it for survival. This frustration led to the creation of my track "Leave Me Be," which is a departure from my usual style, leaning more towards punk rock. It's set to be included on the EP I'm releasing early next year.
Songwriting Process
My songwriting process is quite unconventional. There isn't a fixed process that I follow. Instead, I often feel like I need to get out of my own way to allow inspiration to flow. This concept aligns with Rick Rubin's idea of "The Source," where creative ideas originate from a kind of magical source for artistic expression.
After meditating daily for over two years, I've noticed that the quality of my songs improves as I progress in my meditation journey. It's about becoming better at getting out of my own way and letting the music flow naturally. Often, a song begins with a vocal melody that seemingly comes out of nowhere. These melodies are born without conscious thought, and sometimes they don't even have words; just a melody with gibberish attached. However, when I experience that electrifying sensation I mentioned earlier, I know I've found something worth exploring further.
For example, the vocal melody for the beginning of "Bottom of the Ocean" first came to me when I was in the bathroom washing my face. I immediately grabbed my guitar to write it down. The songwriting process then progresses with the development of chord structures and the overall direction of the song. Lyrics usually come last. In my songwriting, it's less about what I'm saying and more about how I'm saying it. I take inspiration from artists like Eminem and slam poet Shane Koyczan. Each line needs to feel good when I'm singing it, focusing on the phonetic flow rather than just rhyming words. It's about the sonic experience of the lyrics in conjunction with the topic of the song.
Career Highlights
Looking back on my music career, I'm most proud of simply starting the journey. When I was 15, I used to write songs in my room but was too afraid to share them with anyone. My desire to pursue a music career was hindered by insecurity and a fear of judgment. However, when I started graduate school, I also unintentionally embarked on a self- improvement journey. I began daily meditation, took cold showers, exercised, maintained a clean room, ate healthily, journaled, and most importantly, eliminated negative self-talk.
The transformation was incredible. My self-confidence soared, and I stopped undermining myself with derogatory language. While I still reflect on my actions and how I can improve, I never engage in negative self-talk. This newfound self-respect allowed me to take the leap into pursuing music seriously, and I'm extremely proud
