Jill Desiree Talks ‘Broken’ Single, Musical Memories And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: David Olivas
Born in Australia, raised in Indonesia, and educated at the Berklee College of Music, vocalist Jill Desiree has released her new single ‘Broken’. She spoke to us about the track, her musical memories and more:
When did you begin songwriting?
I began writing songs during my last year of college. I finally saved up enough money to buy my first keyboard. At the time, I had just lost someone special to me, so the piano was like my confidant and best friend. The first song I wrote came out of my being in denial of the loss of my previous relationship. It was almost like it was my way of keeping that love alive through the music.
What is your earliest musical memory?
I was about three years old when I first heard a Whitney Houston album. My mother played the tracks “The Greatest Love of All” and “You Give Me Good Love.” I fell in love with the sound of her voice, which is so powerful yet feminine. She is one of my idols. I still listen to her often to marvel at how technically perfect the timbre of her voice is at even a high-range belt.
Your single ‘Broken’ is out now. What was the inspiration/story behind the track?
During the time that I was writing the melody and lyrics to “Broken”, I was obsessed with listening to two albums: Erykah Badu’s “Baduizm” and Rachelle Ferrell’s “Individuality.” The way that those two artists combined funky grooves with sophisticated jazz harmony inspired my writing process.
I was single and in my early 20s and was quite naïve about dating, at the time, I tended to invest much of my love, time, and effort early in relationships, thinking that the future would always be rosy. I was wrong… repeatedly! The lyrics were drawn from the pain and frustrations I felt with my relationships at the time. It’s not about anyone person in particular. The song is an intentionally laboured metaphor for the love I put into those relationships that I felt was not reciprocated.
I left the tune unfinished for years until I reached out to one of my producers, David Olivas to help me complete it. Dave and I are both big fans of the music of Marcus Miller and the track we came up with was loosely inspired by his writing style. The basic chord progression we landed on was sort of a play on “Footprints” by Wayne Shorter, but the funky way we imagined Marcus Miller might play that tune.
Where did you record the song and who produced it?
We recorded the rhythm section live at Tritone Recording Studio in Glendale, California. Our engineer, Tally Sherwood, www.talleysherwood.com, did a fantastic job. The session was produced by my good friend Katisse Buckingham, who is also a heavy woodwind session musician in LA. After we tracked the basics, Katisse arranged all the horn parts and played a phenomenal tenor sax solo on the track.
Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?
In March of 2020, the band and I were rehearsing just a few days before the session. The early concerns about a looming COVID epidemic were all over the news in California. By the evening before the session, I could hear neighbours in my building coughing all night. We were starting to hear rumours of an impending lockdown in California, so we weren’t even sure the session would happen. The day of the recording was a little scary. Between every take, the musicians in the band were getting texts about virtually all their upcoming gigs being cancelled. But, amazingly, the recording of the music itself went off without a hitch! The guys were such pros. Every time the engineer hit record, they were laser-focused on the music. We knocked out five songs in just a handful of hours, which is pretty amazing for only one day of rehearsal. Just one day after the session, all of California completely shut down.
Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?
I own a Chandler Limited REDD Microphone. It is my favorite condenser mic; it captures all types of vocal tones, timbres, melismas, and powerful belts. I recorded all of my upcoming singles with this mic.
Who created/designed the single artwork?
I made the artwork myself! I’m a hobbyist camera girl, so I’ve got a Panasonic Lumix G9 camera. I asked my producer, David Olivas to take the picture, under my direction. I took one of the shots where Dave didn’t have his finger in front of the lens ; ) and played around with it in Photoshop.
Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
- Happiest: My single, which was released in September of 2023, is titled “Sounds Like Music.” The lyrics to the song are comical and the groove is so funky. I am not sure if it reads happy, but it reveals my fun and witty self.
- Angriest: “Broken” is a no brainer for me at my angriest.
- Most Reflective: “Whatever Happens,” released on my EP Cover Story in 2021, was probably my most reflective song. It’s a beautiful song by the great Bill Withers. It’s one of those songs that has such an elegant simplicity to it. I think it will hit home for anyone who has had a great partner in life. The lyrics and melody are so perfect. I love singing that tune.
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
- At my shows, I try to connect with as many people as possible on an emotional and musical level. I write my songs mainly for myself, but I try to put a little something in there for both the music nerds and the folks that just want to groove, dance, and have a good time. We live in somewhat divisive times, so I hope that, through my music people can connect with a little bit of the joy and love that makes us all human.
- The second half of my “agenda” is to spotlight what is great about real live music, made by real live musicians. I have the joy and privilege of recording and performing with some of my absolute favorite players in the world. These cats are masters of their instruments and the art of creating sound. The passion they put into every note, and the virtuosity with which they play their instruments is something special, particularly in a time where so much music is created on computers. These folks have devoted their lives to the time-honored tradition of expressing actual human emotion, live, in real time, on their instruments. I want people to experience that.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
Shure Beta 87A Supercardioid Condenser Handheld Microphone, this is my go to performance mics, it works very well with my voice.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
Sydney, Australia. Outdoors, beaches, hikes, foodies, marsupials
How do you look after your voice?
I believe in a holistic approach to taking care of the voice. Since my instrument is inside my body, I take great care of every part of it. First and foremost, I prioritize sleep and eating a non-processed diet. I exercise 3-5 days a week. Before gigs, I warm up my vocal cords and drink room-temperature water to hydrate.
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
I’m not really qualified to compose a film score. I was absent the day they were teaching that at Berklee. LOL. But, if I were to score a film based on a novel. The novel would be Alice in Wonderland because I love the nonsensical nature of the story and how it shines a spotlight on the contradictions society glosses over in everyday life.
Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin and Rachelle Ferrel
Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?
Playing live in the UK/Europe is on my wish list. I plan to play at festivals hopefully in the near future.
Do you have any future music releases planned for 2025?
Yes, I have several singles coming up
What makes Jill Desiree happy and what makes you unhappy?
Playing live gigs with the funkiest musicians! What makes me unhappy is not having enough sleep.
Feature Image Photo Credit: David Olivas
Jill Desiree’s single ‘Broken’ is out now.
For more information visit the Jill Desiree’s official website here: https://jilldesiree.com/home
