NAU NUA: JENNIFER HALL

Because the world is blue

Jennifer Hall presents her debut album In this (2011). “I just have strings, a few other things. My thoughts and ways, hopeful eyes and face. They call me naive, saying not to believe” as she sings in the song Green and blue. Obviously, she has more than the strings of her guitar, she has a sensitivity that goes far beyond her beloved green and blue colours. She has a deep blue ocean inside, the music of a woman than writes her inner views. “The world will still be green and blue after I sing a song for you but hope the colors seem as beautiful as you are to me”. But our world won’t be the same after listening to her songs.

Why are you “In this”?

Oh, it means “submersed in something present in a moment or time” so it seemed appropriate for this album.

Why was it so appropriate for this album?

The tunes are written from a very subjective view, no distance from the topics at hand, straight from the time and place of each song.

What does the passage of time mean to you?

As time passes it seems you can look back at things and see them much differently than how you viewed them before while in the midst of it.

Looking to some of your music influences: Patsy Cline, Rufus Wainwright, Jeff Buckley, Wilco... can we hear all those influences on your debut album?

I don’t really know. I can’t listen with an objective ear. I’ve had people say they can spot some resemblances to Jeff in the voice, some of Rufus in the melodies. They are far too kind.

The most of them are male singers.

True. I also really love Bonnie Riatt, Norah Jones... I’ve heard both of those too.7

And in music, what do you look for?

Honesty, sincerity. Something that catches me or moves me in one way or another. A great beat, wonderful lyrics, etc.

Do you really see the world in green and blue, as the title of one of your songs?

I suppose so, they are my favourite colors!

What do those colors make you think of?

Peace, calm, stillness.

"I just have strings, a few other things. My thoughts and ways, hopeful eyes and face. They call me naive...” is the opening verse of “Green and blue”. Happiness is in the little things?

For sure.

And what kind of strings do you have in your life?

They referenced music strings, guitar strings, but I have all shorts though!

For example?

I come with experiences and insecurities just as anyone does. I’m making peace with them though. It’s been a great time of change for me, this being a big one, making peace with the things that have happened, the events that make you who you are.

And who are you?

I’d say complex but I’m sure I’m not as excited as all that. Thoughtful, gentled spirited, passionate, a performer at heart.

We can hear that heart in the harder sound that surrounds the after break up hymn “When we were good” and the last verse says “Glad to be alone at last”. Is it an honest gladness?

Honest in ridding of “him”, a false sense of security in being alone perhaps a bit tongue and cheek.

“I keep packing up my things but your memory I still bring...Please leave”. In your words love looks more like a drug addiction. Do you think we are made for loving?

I think we’re made to love, yes, absolutely, the ways in which love is depicted in idea, the ways we would like to believe it lives. Maybe love is painful, fleeting but it’s beautiful and very real and necessary.

“I cannot guarantee to do no harm. We are not always as strong as we think we are.”.So do you really think life is pain?

I think life is inherently painful but surely not just painful, it’s a beautiful wonderful thing but pain is inevitable. We are wired in such a way that we feel and absorb and understand so much of the hardships and unfair things around us and it can be hard to see all of that. That is definitely a personal reflection.

Which ones are your personal “Oceans”?

It’s sort of about losing longing for someone. My relationship with my mother, the experiences I had with her.

Do you have a spiritual vision of life?

Yes, it’s ever changing though so I do often envision things but they evolve, change shift, etc.

What about the composing and recording process of your album?

It was recorded in Chicago, B Side Audio with Neal Ostrovsky. He was wonderful. I wrote the tunes for the most part with Noam Wallenberg, a friend and guitarist of band.

Were you looking for a concept for the album?

Not really when I was writing. I don’t really write with a vision.

Are you spontaneous in your writings?

I’d say so. It’s all from the same source so they must relate in some way.

If I asked you for a song to be written right now, what would you write?

I think it would be about where my head is these days, about change and self discovering, etc.

What would you love to discover?

My truth, to get reacquainted with myself, true self... The world around me, is this too out there for you? I think I may think too much.

JENNIFER HALL VÍDEOS here

Interview by Juan Carlos Romero