Jen Island Talks Debut EP, Instruments And More

Your new self-titled EP is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the EP?
It sounds simple, but I wanted my debut to sound like me. I’ve been through a couple of stages of writing music. I’d write nothing but sad acoustic songs for a few years but it started to feel a bit stagnant and I wasn’t whole heartedly enjoying playing them. I approached writing the EP with the thought of wanting to bop around in my tiny studio with my head bopping to my own songs. That sounds quite self indulgent but tracking layers of hazy electric guitar is just the best and it feels like me.

Where did you record it and who produced it?
I recorded the EP via my home studio set up when I was living in my parents spare room. I was renovating my dilapidated flat at the same time. When I’d finished stripping wallpaper all day, I’d go back, light some candles and record. I produced the EP alongside my good friend Jack Hudson, a real talented writer, producer and engineer.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?
We didn’t have recording sessions per say as I recorded most of it myself. Sometimes though, I’d get lazy and not bother recording the vocals that really needed recording. Jack would be straight on the phone to me telling me that he needed those particular vocal stems for editing and we had deadlines! I got a lot of tough love from him and definitely deserved it. We’re cool now ha!

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
I grew up in a place called Iver Heath. It’s technically in Buckinghamshire but of course, people have never heard of it so I’d say it’s 5 minutes from Uxbridge, end of the met line, west London? And they’d be like ‘oh yeah cool’. That always seemed to do the trick.
Describing Iver Heath in 5 words:
In
The
Middle
Of
Nowhere

Do you have a specific songwriting process?
I will mostly always write the music first. I feel like I need the music behind me to be able to write lyrics. The tone of the music sets the tone of the lyrics. I don’t think I have ever approached writing a song with a theme in mind. It feels very unnatural to me.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals?
I have lots of guitars but my Fender Jag is always my go to along with a range of pedals. I use a Polara reverb pedal alongside the DD7 delay. Definitely my favourite combo on stage.

Do you have any live plans for 2024 in the UK and Europe?
I plan on doing some UK shows for sure.

What was the inspiration/story behind your single ‘Tell Me Everything’? What was the thought process behind the music video?
I dated someone I’d met online once and the song plays off of that metaphorically.
‘I saw your picture in a magazine, I cut it out or so it seemed, you were mine tonight and I was yours alright’
It’s based around the anticipation and optimism of a new love. A hopeful fantasy of them being the one.
The video is a random collection of scenes during the making of the track.

Who is in the band on the EP?
No band, I play everything but the drums. I had two very lovely drummers step in and help me there.

What music do you enjoy listening to? Do you have any recommendations?
I love such a wide range of music. From Etta James to Mazzy Star. Mostly hazy, dreamy guitar based music is my go to. I’m really enjoying listening to an artist called Ellur at the moment. Beautiful stuff.