Leah J Jones

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Leah J Jones

Elements of Water

Leahjjones.com

What is your upbringing?

I grew up in a town south of San Francisco. I am a Bay Area person all the way. I grew up singing to my sister when I was 6 years old, she had songs she would ask for and I would sing to her.

How did you discover music?

I don’t remember not knowing music. I have always been open to newer music, so these days I seem to be following a lot of music that teenagers follow just because that is the newest sounding music available. I have always dwelled on the acoustic side, focusing on very competent singers with exceptional lyrics.

How did you start to write music?

I use to try to write songs that could become famous and got stuck. It took listening to other artists and taking songwriting classes (Ira Marlow/Monkey House in Berkeley) a couple of years and a few tragedies before I found my voice and realized I could put words together that are meaningful and heal others in the process. It wasn’t until I took a hard look at ways to approach a song that gave me so many possibilities for a strong song that I would love enough to record. At some point, I found that I would wake up in the middle of the night with a melody and a song concept in my head, and I would sing it into my phone so I would not be able to forget it by morning. Upon review of the melody in the following days, those are always songs that are unique and interesting for pursuing a whole song, they tend to have a good hook that makes me want to pursue finishing the song.

Describe your music.

Acoustic Americana. I use to think that I was strictly a ballad singer until I met Gawain Mathews (Gawain Mathews Music Studio, San Pablo, California) who helped me realize that I have the ability to cross into a more rocking sound instead of only ballads.

How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

I got my first guitar, a Yamaha, around 1990. I no longer have this guitar because a 6’2 then-boyfriend fell on it and crushed it. He made it up to me by gifting me a ¾ Taylor travel guitar, somewhere around 2001. I currently prefer my Takamine circa 1994 guitar that I have blinged out with my name, or, my newer Breedlove Companion 2020 Black Widow Special Edition guitar. I am not a big person, so getting around with a smaller guitar is easier than with my larger full-size guitar. I learned this from Emmi Sunshine, who would play smaller instruments that were closer to her size instead of trying to work with a larger guitar (ukulele, smaller guitars etc.), I love her style of bluegrass music and applaud her original music she is publishing. I love that she travels around with family and provides music to everyone on her path while uploading updates on Facebook as she settles in on her off-performance days. Way to go, Emi!

What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?

I just answered above. I do love to play my Ukelele too this came from Breedlove as well.

What was your first performance at like?

Sweetwater, Mill Valley, back in the day when they did a lot of open mics. I remember being petrified and my fingers shaking on my frets and had a difficult time facing an audience. Having a glass of wine helped the process, but I didn’t want it to be about the wine, so eventually I managed to mess up often enough and survive and get great feedback even on what I considered bad performances, and I lived to tell about it. I have since learned that when you are scared, your vocal chords tighten up and you don’t sing as well. Also, that to play/sing well, it is not about the performer but it is about a gift to the audience. If you are scared, it is less of a gift. Once I realized that I got out of my head and just played.

What makes a good songwriter?

Perspective. I think what didn’t work when I first learned to write songs was that I thought I had to write something that sounded great and I struggled to make a big bang with a song. Once I learned that it takes having a message that you have a conviction on, this is what matters. Are you saying something valid that makes sense for you but applies universally? Does your music heal? I would like to think that the songs I write are about me healing through a time and place and my hope is that someone hears something in that for them.

What is the process of writing your music?

I love waking up in the middle of the night to a song as noted before, but there are times when it is totally inconvenient that a song comes and I am in the middle of something else, but words keep flowing. I have to be better at honoring those times when songs write themselves, it is a moment in time that if I don’t take it seriously, it dissipates and is forgotten. I also can’t write a song just for the sake of writing a song, it has to have its own life and inspiration.

Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?

I am a member of ASCAP.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

I would like to say it was called “Marshall”, about the town and a place I went to play music with other musicians and before I called myself a musician. No, I did not record it. I have a kind of recollection about the song but not well enough to develop it, maybe someday I will.

Tell me about your upcoming album? And how was it to write your album through the age of Covid-19 And how could it help heal people?

My first album, called “Elements of Water” was written in about 2.5 years, the actual studio time process was 16 months – not constant but when I had new material, I would lay down base tracks to develop later. The songs on this album are relevant to anyone who has lost a pet (Sentimental), been frustrated in Covid-19 (No Isolation), had a difficult breakup (Apology Not Accepted), birthed a child in a global pandemic (Sienna Love – daughter to a bass player I know in the town of Sonoma), experienced fires anywhere (Darkness), lost a best friend (Under Sail), broke up with someone and then had them say they miss you months later (I hear your heart), had a relationship that felt like they were being played (Towers), played music at a Moose Lodge (I am a Moose) etc. Every song is a perspective that people tell me has helped them in some fashion.

You just released a video “Under Sail”. Can you tell me about the backstory of the video?

This song is dedicated to one of my best friends, who passed away in 2018. He was an avid Sailor, taught Captains level sailing classes in his business “Smart Captains” and to me was safer on water than on land (his driving tended to scare me a bit). It made sense to film on water because that is where we spent our time, San Francisco Bay.

What is your favorite track on your album? It depends on the day.

I am proud that after hearing the songs so many times, that I can still listen to all of them without feeling like they have been overplayed. I am especially connected to Under Sail because this song had so much meaning for my friend’s family and friends. Runner up would be “No Isolation” based on a dream I had where I was on stage with Christian Slater and we were playing music in a dark theater for a packed audience. I was so happy, then the next day woke up and was back in Covid, anxiously checking the news for the latest updates. This is my escape song.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash,[or (in North American usage) pound sign. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.

Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?

My friend who has a number of albums out, Jeff Desira (Weathervane (album), Summer to Fall (album) Three on a Tree (video), explained the importance of reaching audiences that I wanted to reach via hashtags. Thank you Jeff, solid information. I think they help if you want to reach a specific audience such as the sailing community for “Under Sail” People are not forgetting that hashtags are a part of music.

Digital vs. vinyl?

I am fascinated with CD Baby and the process for streaming with lots of different partners. This has been my first launch. The second was a video for Under Sail. Next, when the artwork is complete, I will be producing CDs, I know, old school, but believe it or not, CDs have been requested. Next, I will be producing a video for “No Isolation” because it is very relevant now with the global pandemic. Finally, yes, Like Brandi Carlile Bear Creek vinyl album, I am motivated to do vinyl for fun. Then, I am going to get a vinyl player so I can play it properly.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

“Survivor” by Passenger. This has been stuck in my head for a week now, and I think it is because normally songs are stuck in my head that are relevant to how I am feeling about the world or my place in it. I feel like I am “surviving” Covid 19 very well, given the isolation and conditions that mean I don’t play live like I did in the past. I love the sound of his voice, the lyrics are important and the message is clear about surviving life and love.

Both (Pfizer and BioNTech) and Moderna have conclude Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the both vaccines, it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?

If someone is an “anti-vaccer” they are going to wait until it is inconvenient to NOT be vaccinated, such as, they cannot fly, they cannot use a hotel if the regulations say you have to be vaccinated first. Those who want the vaccine seem to want both first and second shot of the vaccine to make sure it does its thing. I think we have 2 camps and both may have valid points, but if we want to bring down the numbers, we have to act like a global community and do the work (vaccinate) so we musician types can go out and provide our music to the world, or the teachers can go out and safely teach etc.

If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

In many ways, I think that Covid 19 has made artists more accessible. Not necessarily richer, but more accessible. People like Bonnie Raitt who did a concert in her living room, a place no one would imagine going pre-Covid 19. I happen to love Joe Bonamassa, since participating in Guitar Workshop Plus and being asked to sing one of his songs with my fellow classmates. He has been a Rockstar in providing concerts online and merchandise. There is more available on him these days probably because of Covid 19. “Live Music” may look different in the future, maybe it is digital and streaming, but I don’t think I would have ever concerned myself with adding an 8-second clip of my Under Sail video onto my Spotify for Artists Canvas (like I saw Taylor Swift do on her beautiful song “Willow”, if there were no pandemic.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

Writing music, kitchen demo and remodel because of a burst pipe just before Christmas 2020, grieving the loss of my father in January 2021, publishing “Elements of Water” and managing my career in the wine industry, selling wine and spirits labels. Learning about original music release.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

I am a busy body. I have lots of hobbies such as gardening, quilting, drawing, cooking, reading, love to read, learning how to work my Cricut Maker machine, if you have any tips, I am open to them.

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?

I watch YouTube because I can find whatever I need on a any topic. I can select the news I choose to see and I can find excellent guitar instructional videos to help inspire different sounds, or like last night, learn about crazing goings-on like the Centralia Mine fire that demolished a town in Pennsylvania.

Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.

The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.

How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?

I think it is a mistake that Facebook limits this kind of outlet to musicians. As is proven in all technologies, if you put a stumbling block in the road, people behave like water to work around obstacles and another method will show itself to be more available to artists. I was posting live FB streams but wasn’t disciplined with setting up the expectation and timing so there weren’t very many in my audience. I only did it a couple of times, so perhaps I didn’t exhaust this option either, however, it was a nice outlet for a while in Covid 19. I did it because I needed to do it, not because I wanted an audience necessarily. I wanted a way to help people deal with the obvious isolation of the pandemic.

How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?

Check out Joe Bonamassa, he seems to be doing fine. Also, Beth Hart, she is all over steaming methods. I was told that it was “not a good time to release an album” when I dropped Elements of Water on Christmas Day 2020. I countered with “There has never been a better time, people need something to help them through this time”.

Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means things like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.

I am so new to publishing music I don’t know if I have anything to contribute here. I did an album because I had to in order to achieve something that I always wanted to achieve in my heart. I think that if it is meaningful work for others, it will travel and reach the right target audience and help others. How do you put a price tag on that? Sadly, musicians can stream all day long without much financial benefit. The only reason we still have interesting music is that artists have to create. I only know a few artists that made a lucrative career out of music. I hope this changes to acknowledge the word that is done that helps so many people cope.

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

Why not? Or, I’m thinking more like a concert on my rooftop instead of the living room, or the garden, a concert in the garden in summer.

Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.”

Do you think this will help save the industry?

I am proud of all the musicians and venues that have participated in these valuable efforts to preserve entertainment. I think the average person has no idea just how many hours it takes to prepare music for a concert or album, no idea. It might, but I don’t think there is enough compensation for artists and their time that could even be put into monetary figures. Some people refer to the idea that musicians “play” music, so why would they need compensation for something that involves “play”. I hope these efforts do help musicians, otherwise, the general public/audiences will find that without music, the world would b flat and uninteresting. Most people would never consider being on stage, they don’t even want the option to public speak, but expect so much out of their entertainers. There is a famous musician who is in the news right now who is in conservatorship and her money is managed by a person who has no talent for creating the music but gets the glory of the fine lifestyle. Lots of people seem to prosper on the efforts of the original music community and entertainment.

Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artist. The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/relief-resources. Have you look into it yet?

I have not, I am thankful to have my day job so that I can fund my album releases. I will let other musicians receive the benefit of these important relief options.

In the past if a musician stopped doing music they find a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing? I have had a solid career for years in print sales.

I did it the other way around, I developed a career, sang on the side at house concerts, and wished I did more with music. I am at a level in my career and especially in Covid that creating music meant not being depressed about the state of politics, the pandemic, the isolation, etc, it was my salvation to put my frustrations into an album.

What is your happy place?

The bathtub. No serious, honor your rituals.

Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more? I’m not sure Tik Tok helps musicians to share their music in small bites of information like seconds of videos.

I have not considered this, but would use it for promoting concerts in the future if everyone can get back to live performance or to promote a house concert that is streamed. Remember, I am still new to producing music, I have a lot to learn.

Anything you would like to say in closing.

Thank you for taking the time to ask about my album and video. I am pleased to assist.
Also, I am about 5 songs into the next album, well, they are pieces of songs, but because the first album was so much fun, I am excited to get into the studio after having a nice break after completing Elements of Water.
I will leave you with one more item before I go…I am using my middle initial “J” because there is a musician named Leah Jones out in the streaming world and I don’t want to confuse everyone with my name out there and hers. If there is any confusion, I will probably have to go back to my “Baby Diva” roots, which is a nickname from my guitarist friend Armando Rosales when I was getting started performing live.