| AE:
What inspired you to write "She," about a relationship
between two women?
JF: I wrote it after going to a U2 concert
in Buffalo, NY. U2 has always inspired me to be true to myself,
and the concert was just what I needed to get that song out
of me. Beyond that, the song was about a relationship I was
in at the time.
AE: Were you surprised that "She" became a finalist
for the John Lennon songwriting award?
JF: Yes, I was, although I shouldn't have been. I
think I underestimated society's readiness to hear that song.
I think it was embraced because the song does not have an
agenda, it is not militant. It's a love song.
AE:
How do your fans respond to "She" compared to the
other songs you perform?
JF: It
depends on the crowd I'm playing to. It gets different reactions.
Gay women always love that song, though.
AE:
You have mentioned that "She" is partly about "a
love that transcends labels;" can you expand on that?
Were you at all concerned that the song would label you?
JF: Being
real is where it's at. If you can't be real as an artist,
I see no point in doing this. What is your contribution then?
People will see me however they wish. I write about the things
that genuinely inspire me, and a relationship between two
women was simply one of those things.
AE:
Any plans to write more songs about romantic relationships
between women?
JF: My plan is to always write from my heart. So
if my heart leads me in that direction, then I will write
more songs about relationships between women.
AE:
Your first album, Everybody's Girl, was just released
in October; how does it feel to have it out there for all
to hear?
JF: Everybody's Girl was a labor of love,
a journey of self-discovery for me. So it feels great to finally
have it out there, to share it with others. I love the introspection
that's required in writing songs, but when that's done, I
can't help but throw it out there in the hope it may be therapeutic
for someone else, too.
AE:
Have you started working on a second album, and how do you
envision that one to be different from the first?
JF: Yes, I have started writing for my second album,
and I'm so excited about working the arrangements out with
my producer and my band. The next album will most likely be
deeper and darker than this one. I see it being more stripped-down
and sounding more like a band. I do, after all, have a band
now and these guys are like brothers to me. That makes for
a very different album than when you hire out studio players
as we did on Everybody's Girl. The new songs have
strong, hooky melodies, but very personal, intimate lyrics.
Call it dark pop.
AE:
What has been the most surprising result of releasing your
first album?
JF: Well, that nobody has come right out
and asked "Are you gay?" By the way, my answer to
that is that love transcends labels. And I really believe
that.
Learn
more about Jen at JenFoster.com
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