JENNIFER ALVARADO: ROCK THIS WAY
Jennifer Alvarado is a singer/songwriter from Vale, North Carolina.
Her first EP project titled ''Playing with Fire'' was released in April 2021. She is currently working on a country pop album titled “Songbird” that will be released in Summer 2022. “Songbird” is a two part collection of songs that shows Jennifer’s growth as a writer and is sonically much different than her earlier projects. Her second single from the “Songbird” project, titled ‘’Rock This Way," will be released in June 2022. Her music has a country sensibility with a pop current running through it. Her voice is smooth and passionate with a sweetness and power that merge seamlessly into satisfaction for the listener. Her sound is a mixture of country, pop and blues that reflect an eclectic blend of influences.
She has been recognized locally for her songwriting and was named ''One to Watch'' by Nashville Songwriters Association in Spring 2021 and Spring 2022. Her songs “IDWYB” and “Filthy Water” were Top 10 Finalists for “Best Pop Song” and “Best Modern Country Song” for the Spring and Summer 2021 World Songwriting Awards. She was just recently named the “2021 Country Artist of the Year” by Indie Star Radio. Her song “Curious” was a Finalist for "Best Pop Song" for the Winter 2022 World Songwriting Awards and won "Best Pop Song" for the Indie Songwriting Awards in Winter 2022. Her song “Rock This Way” was just named “Best Pop Song” and “Best Overall Song” by the Indie Songwriting Awards in Spring 2022. She is currently nominated for five International Singer Songwriter Association Awards, including “Female Vocalist of the Year”, a Josie Award for Female Music Video of the Year for “Filthy Water”, and a Carolina Music Award for Country Female Vocalist of the Year.
Thank you for letting us interview you! Let us in on your new music! When did you record it? JA: “Rock This Way” is actually a song I wrote about three years ago and shelved it. The rest of the songs were written during the Pandemic or early 2021 and I started recording this project in September 2021. Any writing traditions you have when you're in that mode? JA: I tend to not listen to a lot of new music when I am working on my new music. I still listen to some of my favorite classic songs, but I try to keep the studio creation process clear of any outside influences or ideas. Any other traditions you have when you're in your recording process? JA: I try to keep an open mind when writing and recording. Meaning, I don’t try to stick to a bunch of established rules. I also try to avoid trying to fit into a certain genre when creating. I instead try to see what organically works with the song. What challenges come with recording? JA: I think the biggest challenge is not letting someone’s opinion sway what I feel is right. I used to let random people listen to songs before they were finished. A lot of times their negative comments would make me second guess myself and I would even make changes that I would later regret. I have learned to keep my circle of influence very small. I trust my producer, my husband and a couple really close friends to give me good feedback. Who did you collaborate with in the studio? JA: My producer, Ricky Rodriguez, helps me put my projects together, but I tend to write most of my songs by myself. I usually take a song in with a rough scratch and then we just start building. He has a team of musicians, or I invite my friends, that then come in and record drum parts, bass, etc. Ricky is also a phenomenal bass and guitar player. I actually ended up playing mandolin for one of my upcoming songs and I’ve laid acoustic scratches. Any recording stories you have that you'll remember forever from this music? Please share one with us! JA: This project has been more fun from a creative perspective. We basically decided to not limit any options for instruments, samples, etc. So because of that, there have been several songs that we know are strong as soon as a simple scratch has been recorded. What do you want fans to appreciate about your artistry when it comes to the new music? JA: I hope that by finally embracing my own story and musical voice, others can learn to find confidence in theirs. We all have a story to tell. I think sometimes we are afraid or ashamed to share our stories, but you don’t know how your story can in turn help someone. After the new year we typically forget about our resolutions, have you kept yours when it comes to your music making? JA: I actually don’t make resolutions. I set goals and focus on mantras or words. My word for this year has been “courage” and my verse for this year has been: Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Give us your link for the music to stream, stream, stream! JA: You can listen to the new EP here: https://songwhip.com/jenniferalvarado/songbird-part-one Thank you for chatting with us! Where can our audience go to follow and support your stellar music journey! Social Media Links are as follows: Direct Me Page - https://direct.me/jenniferalvarado Official Website - www.jenniferalvarado.com Spotify Artist Profile - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0bM0RX6zTNn5MuKdpb92xU?si=d7Xr7cSlTkqcXXivm_9sIw&dl_branch=1 Instagram - @jenniferalvaradomusic Tiktok - @jenniferalvaradomusic Facebook Music Page - www.facebook.com/jemmusic12 Youtube - youtube.com/jemmusic12 Reverbnation - https://www.reverbnation.com/jenniferalvarado Twitter - @guitardiva12 Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/jem1984