Think for yourself: Jillea, musician
Name:
Jillea
Age:
23
Title:
Singer/Songwriter
Hey Jill, you’re doing some really cool things out there in the world and we all want in on it. Let’s get to it!
*We know your official name, but what do your friends call you?
Hahaha This ones funny because my friends that go way back refuse to call me Jillea at all costs they just giggle, but industry friends only know me as my stage name and feel weird saying Jill! So I get a bit of both.
*Where are you from?
Originally i'm from Quispamsis New Brunswick! Born and Raised.
*Where are you now?
I’m currently Living in Toronto, but you can often find me in LA songwriting in the sun.
*Tell us about how you got from point A to point B.
In December 2013 (the 19th to be exact) I won a Singer/Songwriter competition called ‘It’s Your Shot’ for undiscovered talent by Slaight Music. That year they were partnered with Universal Music Canada. They called me when I made the top 5 and said “If you’re willing to move to Toronto, then that really changes things for us” and no questions asked, I was gone!
*Now tell us the rough stuff
The Rough Stuff is definitely trying to make your mark in such a competitive industry, it can really get you down sometimes when things fall through but there's usually something bigger and better on the way when that happens. Haters can be rough too, people lying about you or tearing you down. You just have to remember your end goal- and they aren’t invited.
*
What got you through what you didn’t think you would get through?
Songwriting literally heals my soul, to go into a session and get all of those emotions out not only on paper with lyrics, but with melody and chords.. It's a very personal process. I used to write sad songs when I was upset but recently I’ve challenged myself to channel that energy into writing upbeat songs when I feel down, to keep spreading the positivity back into my life. You’ll hear that side of me with a song called ‘Strut’ Coming out shortly!
(Side note:: incase you want info on strut)
Strut is about someone trying to bring you down but it having the opposite effect on you, making you fight harder and be stronger. Turning Pain into Power! Everytime I get a new hater ( and I’ve had my fair share over many years ..lots of inspo on this one ) I just say ‘Haaaaay’, smile, wave, and keep strutting on. The song is so upbeat you can’t possibly be sad when you’re singing it, and I think that's the best part. I’m not gonna write a sad song about it, where would be the fun in that?
*What’s one thing people probably don’t know about you?
I can beat anyone in a thumb war, don’t know why, don’t know how. But I have skills.
*Do you have any mentors or go to people that have helped you?
100% My Teams at Slaight Music and Universal Music Canada, when you’re a teenager you think you have everything figured out. I got thrown into the music industry so fast. I remember after winning the contest and moving to Toronto I thought ‘Yeah! I know how to write songs this should be great!’ but ohhhh man there is SO much more that goes into being an artist than just the songs. They have to be the
right
songs, at the
right
time, with the
right
Team etc. There was a time when I found myself impatient and one of my mentors from Slaight said “It’s not ready yet. You have to Wait, Trust me.”
The song they told me to wait on for Radio release was ‘Miss America’, We never did go to radio because everyone kept telling me you only get to play it for the station programmers once, it has to be perfect. Fast forward a couple of years since writing it and the official Miss America Remix is going to radio in May! Moral of the story being- Listen to people who know more than you! They’re where they are for a reason. Soak up all that information. Knowledge truly is power.
*What are your guilty pleasures?
Jalapeno Cheetos, Reeces Pieces ( Not Cups ) and an unhealthy Diet Coke Addiction **Cans only, never bottles. And never pepsi.. Sorry pepsi :(
*Where is your secret getaway spot?
My makeup vanity! There is something so therapeutic about switching on that ring light and just taking the time to make yourself feel great. All my stress just leaves. You never leave the make up table feeling bad. The last glance in the mirror when you're looking fierce is just the extra confidence boost I need to slay my work day.
*What’s your favourite social media platform? Why?
The Graaaaam. Instagram has always been my go to platform, Maybe it’s the selfies, maybe it's the endless supply of memes you can send back and forth in chat. There’s just a mystical quality about instagram that draws you in, you think you’ve been on it for 5 minutes but its actually been 5 hours.
*Your house is burning down, which 2 things do you grab? (do not say phone and computer)
Soo.. funny story- I have 5 cats. I always find myself thinking Wtf am I going to do if there's ever a fire in my building. And there was !!! on my floor - a couple doors down. The firefighters told me I may have to evacuate and I thought how am I going to get my cats down the fire escape I can’t leave them here. So my brain goes ‘Duffle Bag. Yes. Put them in 2 duffle bags.’ who cares if they're uncomfortable right? I’m just trying to save the little fluffers.
So my two items would be:
1)Duffle bag of cats #1 &
2)Duffle bag of cats #2
#DoubleFisting
*What’s your favourite quote?
Serious Quote:
This too shall pass
- it’s simple and probably a little overdone but nothing lasts forever, for me when I think of my job and the stress that comes with having an unconventional career it’s nice to think that every problem will eventually work itself out
Silly Quote: literally ANY line from Mean Girls. It defuses any situation or awkward silence in life. #ImAMouseDuh
*What keeps you up at night?
I can’t turn my brain off! I'm constantly trying to fit everything I need to do into one day when it really requires two, I think that overly ambitious people often take on too much in fear of missing out, but we need to give ourselves a little more time! Maybe 12 hour sleeps are luxury I will have in my 30’s, it looks like the 20’s are all about the grind. Who knows. I’m still figuring it all out lol !
*What puts you to sleep?
Ugh.. I hate to Admit that I own a lavender scented Build-a-bear but.. I do..
Her name is Wonder Bear and she’s awesome.
*
What’s your favourite thing about yourself?
I think that self-acceptance and expression is one of the most powerful tools you can give yourself, If you love yourself, and truly love yourself not just say it but
believe
it. No amount of hate from anyone can ever take that away from you. Okay, someone calls you fat? Someone says you have weird armpits? (actually happened once, I swear. Armpits.) Then you have the ability to go nahhh not today haters! Self Love is the best Love !
*What’s your favourite Netflix series?
I’m so obsessed with ShadowHunters, it’s unreal. I think it's the mix of Fantasy and Dom Sherwood to be honest. He has one blue eye and one brown eye.. Cmon ladies he’s like an adorable husky how could
you not.
*What’s a normal day look like to you?
I do need some structure in my life because my schedule is very random, so twice a week (Mon+Fri) I volunteer at Meals on Wheels.
My day is wake up 9am, Mint Chocolate Protein bar on my way out the door. Done Volunteering at 11, grab the first DC (Diet Coke) of the day and make my way down to Slaight’s Studio doing my make up in the car- write a song from scratch with my producer Ari which usually takes us about 1-3 hours of writing & 2ish hours of vocals+Harmonies (which is my fave part). Head home, pop in a Lean Cuisine because I’m too lazy to cook. Finish the night off with some Hula Hoop while I respond to email and update my socials with my daily postings. & Def a couple more Diet Cokes thrown in there somwehre.
*Did you picture your life the way it is right now?
Omg absolutely not, I dreamed of living this life since I was singing into a hairbrush in front of my mirror at the age of 3. Dreams are a great starting point but they don't get you all the way there. Hard work, Dedication, Patience and a lot of faith got me to where I am today. If you want a profession in the performing arts you have to get really comfortable with the word
no
, you’re going to hear that all the time. But I never let it define me, or stop me. I remember thinking I just couldn’t stand the unknown for one more second while I was trying to get discovered- trying to decide if it was all worth it. Then slowly things started to move. We got a Top 40 Radio Single with my debut song Shattered and thought holy shit. We did it. Then Music Videos on Much Music, Hosting the MMVA Red Carpet, Performing for 20,000 people at We Day which was a defining ‘It’s Real’ moment. Somedays I actually just cry because I know how fortunate I am to receive the gift that Slaight & Universal gave me when they picked me. It really is a group effort. I’m extremely grateful and proud of what we’ve accomplished from the beginning. I’m a memorabilia hoarder just so I can keep every single detail of the journey! haha
*What’s your schedule like in the next few months?
The Miss America Remix is going to be on all streaming services Friday the 21st! After that we have the lyric video shoot, Then the Mid-May radio release date for Miss America.
THEN Another Spotify/Itunes release of a song called ‘Strut’ as a teaser for my upcoming project in between filming of my official Music Video for Miss America this May/June.
Somewhere in all that I’ve joined a running team with Faze Magazine & I’m working on a new cosplay. SO, we’ll see how it all goes! But I’m SO excited to be sharing new music with my fans, that means more live shows!
*Where can we find you on social media?
All of my Social Media Platforms are @WhoIsJillea these days I’m on
,
,
,
,
& Snapchat !
xx
Photos taken by Allie Beckwith, in Toronto, Ontario