Today we’d like to introduce you to Janeen Scott.
Hi Janeen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Music has always been a part of my life. I grew up in Illinois, singing in choirs and playing flute in school band, and got a guitar for my twelfth birthday. I began writing songs in high school and jumped at any opportunity to perform. Music was a significant hobby in college, and it was the vehicle for forming quite a few of my close friendships. I’ve been a part of several bands since mid-college and into adulthood. For the most part, it’s just been friends playing around, and then coming up with a band name because we booked a one-off gig. Those projects were all a blast, and there’s a freedom that comes from knowing that everything you’re doing is just for fun.
I’d never considered music as a career, and in my early adulthood, I pursued a career in nonprofit which led me to the AmeriCorps VISTA program based in Spartanburg, SC. I had never been to South Carolina, but in 2012 I moved down “for a year.” I did end up moving back to Illinois after my AmeriCorps term was over but felt constantly pulled back to this area. While I’d been working here, I’d discovered the creative community of Spartanburg, the sites, sounds, and history of the region, and I’d formed rich friendships. I had started showing up to jam nights and open mics and was immediately welcomed into the community and it felt so special.
In Chicago, I had opportunities to play every once and a while, but the saturation and pace of things in a city that size made it difficult to really plug into a creative community. So ultimately, I decided I wanted to be somewhere that allowed me to pursue my creative passions in a way that I enjoyed. I love the collaborative, friendly nature of the scene here compared to a large city. There is so much talent in this region, but it doesn’t feel competitive in the same way as a larger city. I felt like I could make the music that I wanted to make with people that I loved, and balance it with the rest of my life.
Music has become a more serious pursuit in the past few years. I met my current Howl in the Valley bandmates, J.Stephens and Michael Krell, in early 2018, and since then we’ve played in multiple states and recorded two EPs, and we’re currently in the studio working on our next release. I also began to find my voice more as a songwriter, and have written for Howl as well as for my own solo project.
This year I’ve been taking my solo music career more seriously, and I’m very excited to keep pursuing this alongside what I’m working on with the band. The styles of the two projects are pretty different – Howl in the Valley is a folk-rock trio, and most of what I write for my solo project has more a contemplative indie singer/songwriter style. This summer I released my first solo track, a song called “Been Here Before” and I am really excited about it.
I’ve been writing songs for the majority of my life at this point, but I’ve never been able to share them beyond my live performances. Getting to fill the song out with a variety of instruments and have it on a platform that can reach anyone feels like an important step. I’ll be recording more this fall and look forward to continuing to write and release as both Janeen Scott and a member of Howl in the Valley.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s always something to calibrate in music, as with most things. When you play with a band, you need to consistently check in to make sure you’re on the same page, have the same creative vision, can handle the same tour schedule with your other life priorities, etc. On the other hand, when you are a solo artist it can feel like you’re creating in a vacuum.
That is one reason I try to stay plugged into the songwriting community by going to live music as much as possible and participating in songwriter nights – it’s helpful for me to keep that motivation to have something new to share, and to bounce ideas around and work them out in front of an audience who understands the process.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a singer/songwriter, and I think the defining characteristic of my music is its authenticity. A lot of the human experience is the same – love, loss, self-discovery, etc. – so even though we all get to those moments and emotions in our own way, I find that when I share about my life, people tend to relate. With that being said, I usually write songs as if no one will ever hear them. I don’t want to censor emotion, because usually, the pieces that I’m nervous for people to hear are the parts people connect with the most. I just think about what draws me to a lot of my favorite musicians, and it’s their ability to move me.
I love beautiful songs, and I love hearing the truth, so that’s what I try to do. And then I find that these really specific anecdotes or really raw emotions are the moments that people mention to me later, and even though they felt so personal, that’s where we can relate. It’s really exciting and a beautiful connection to be able to make with people.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
It’s interesting to think about that at this point in my life, especially after how much the world has shifted in some really significant ways over the past few years. When I was younger I would have said travel and adventure, and those things are still true. I’m constantly curious and I love to have new experiences, but I’ve come to value contentment a lot in the past few years.
Having a steadfast community that encourages me, sees me, and loves me is so rich. I like having a home base that I can rely on and relax in. That makes me feel safe and valued, and it gives me space to explore creatively. I also love a waterfall hike, good falafel, and sea otters.
Contact Info:
- Website: janeenscott.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/janeenscottmusic
- Facebook: facebook.com/janeenscottmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC85zQn6pmo2yehxI7kAzgkQ
- Other: janeenscott.bandcamp.com
Image Credits
Chandler Crawford, Zach Parks, and Julie Anne Smith
