ONE ON ONE: AN INTERVIEW WITH JENNA PEMKOWSKI!

JENNA, AFTER SPENDING A DECADE COLLABORATING WITH ARTISTS LIKE ZEDS DEAD, MEMORECKS AND DABIN, HOW DOES IT FEEL NOW TO STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT AS A SOLO ARTIST?

Stepping out as a solo artist feels really good and super empowering. It's fulfilling to build something from the ground up, putting together every piece, choosing who to collaborate with, and having complete creative control over the process. It’s been a lot of fun and a really rewarding experience.

YOUR NEW SINGLE ‘DYNASTY’ WAS WRITTEN AND RECORDED IN YOUR BEDROOM DURING THE PANDEMIC. HOW DID THE CHALLENGES OF THAT PERIOD SHAPE THE SONG BOTH LYRICALLY AND SONICALLY?

The circumstances of that time definitely influenced the song. Whatever you’re going through at the moment inevitably seeps into your work, and for me, the pandemic brought out more introspective and personal feelings. The lyrics are definitely a reflection of that period, and I think the lo-fi, intimate production mirrors the isolation and simplicity of creating music in that environment.

THE DIY NATURE OF ‘DYNASTY’ REALLY STANDS OUT. WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING REMOTELY WITH YOUR PRODUCERS, AND HOW DID THE VIRTUAL COLLABORATION INFLUENCE THE FINAL SOUND?

Working remotely with Jon and Jason was smoother than you might expect. I’ve known them both for so long and have worked on many projects with them over the years so it feels like we have an unspoken understanding at times. There were definitely moments where it was trickier to lock in a specific sound or vibe without being in the same room, but overall, things just clicked naturally.

YOUR MUSIC BLENDS INDIE, ALTERNATIVE POP AND BEDROOM POP ELEMENTS. HOW HAVE THOSE GENRES INFLUENCED YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS, AND WHAT DRAWS YOU TO THESE PARTICULAR SOUNDS?

I don't think I necessarily set out to mix genres - it just happens I suppose. I'm a girl making pop songs in her bedroom, there’s just naturally an intimate, raw vibe to it. I think for that reason describing the music as these genres feels authentic because it reflects the environment it was created in.

HOW DID COLLABORATING WITH ARTLISTS LIKE ZEDS DEAD, MEMORECKS AND DABIN INFLUENCE YOUR APPROACH TO MUSIC PRODUCTION AND SONGWRITING FOR YOUR SOLO WORK?

Collaborating with those artists has definitely played a role in shaping who I am as an artist. You learn something from everyone you get the opportunity to work with. I’ve learned a lot about my own creative process, how to navigate collaboration, how to balance compromise and staying true to your vision, while also embracing experimentation and flexibility.

WHAT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF TRANSITIONING FROM A COLLABORATOR TO A SOLO ARTIST, AND HOW HAVE YOU GROWN THROUGH THIS EVOLUTION IN YOUR CAREER?

I think it comes down to the fact that everything is on you. As an independent artist, you’re the one making it all happen—you’re not just the artist making the songs, you’re also the manager and the one coordinating everything that goes into putting it out into the world. It’s more challenging but it’s also a lot more rewarding.

YOU’VE ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT RECOGNITION IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY THROUGH SYNC PLACEMENTS AND AWARD NOMINATIONS. HOW DO YOU HOPE TO CONTINUE BUILDING ON THAT SUCCESS WITH YOUR SOLO WORK?

Those types of things are all fantastic and can feel surreal when they happen but they aren’t something I focus on too much. In the past, they seemed to happen more by chance, so I try not to make them the goal. I just enjoy making music and sharing it with people. It’s great that those opportunities help get the songs to more people who might not have discovered them otherwise, but the joy is really in the process of making them.

LOOKING FORWARD, WHAT CAN YOUR FANS EXPECT FROM YOU AFTER ‘DYNASTY’? DO YOU HAVE PLANS FOR AN ALBUM OR MORE SINGLES IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

I’m focused on releasing more songs and am always open to collaborating and writing with other artists.

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