Jenna May Visits Section 36 Music!

Photo Charlie McIlwrath

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Jenna May visits with use to talk about her newest single "Little Thoughts", how it feels to perform live, and more! I'm sure you'll love hearing everything she has to say.

So, let's see what happens when Jenna May visits Section 36 Music!

Your recent single, “Little Thoughts” is absolutely incredible. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you! I started writing this song last summer when I was questioning if a friendship might have reached an end. One of the main aspects of the song is the idea that even writing the lyrics, or just thinking the words in my head, was so unbearably difficult and unthinkable. What’s ironic is that while I couldn’t get myself to say the words out loud, I also wasn’t medically allowed to sing them as I wrote the song because I was recovering from TMJ surgery. (Ha!) After I finished the song, I was so nervous about playing it for my friend because I feared having that difficult conversation, and didn’t want to hurt her. But I did play it for her, and we talked and we cried. In the end, this song is what allowed us to start patching the wounds so we can re-connect and move forward in our friendship. 

Do you have a favorite lyric from the song?

I love this question! I’m a bit torn between two lyrics: “I can’t keep playing telephone across the town” and “Does the silence cause the sinking?” I really love the lyric about the telephone because I love the metaphor, but it also helps tie the theme together of the song being about a childhood friendship. “Does the silence cause the sinking?”, though, has such a tragic eloquence to it. 

What do you enjoy most about performing in front of an audience?

If I’m really honest, that is something I’m still trying to figure out. Performing has always been difficult for me because I have such massive anxiety. I think what motivates me to keep building and growing as a performer, though, is the desire to share my work and hopefully have someone in the audience connect to it. The more I perform, the more I’m learning how to enjoy it.  

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Taylor Swift, of course - the way I think about my music would be entirely different without her influence. In different ways, the same can be said for Ariana Grande’s influence on me. Right now, I am constantly and endlessly inspired by Gracie Abrams and Aaron Dessner, which I think is really helping me discover what path I want to go down in my music. In general though, I’m super drawn to poetic lyrics. My mind is at all times contemplating deep thoughts and emotions, especially pertaining to my existence and the universe, and that all heavily impacts my songwriting.

What would you say is your biggest challenge with your music career?

Photo Charlie McIlwrath

The biggest challenge in my career right now is probably a lack of confidence. It takes a lot of work to be your own biggest fan when you’re also your own biggest critic. I think most, if not all, artists can relate to that. 

What are your immediate music goals?

I’m looking to build a solid base in my career, and focusing on making and releasing more music! I have some songs I’m really excited about. My biggest goal at the moment is to keep growing my audience and reach as I create and put out that new music. 

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Let's see if we can help with that goal, and ger her audience to grow!  

As always, I want to thank Jenna for visiting with us, and for sending along the pictures to accompany the interview.

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. I would follow her on Instagram, and Spotify as well as visit her website to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again Jenna, and good luck reaching your goals!