Jessie Daniels shares her noise
07-03-2006
by Brenten Gilbert

Maybe you've heard "The Noise" on the radio - perhaps even Radio Disney. As an eighteen-year old young lady, Jessie Daniels has already laid the groundwork for a career in the industry. With the release of her self-titled debut, Daniels is set to make her mark on the music scene, both Christian and mainstream.

CMCentral had a chance to catch up with Jessie Daniels in the middle of a three-week promotional tour supporting the album release and we talked about the album, her past, Radio Disney and more.

Below is that conversation. . .

CMCentral.com (brenten gilbert): So how are things going today?

Jessie Daniels: Things are going great today.

Very good. Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself to start things off.

I'm single. My name is Jessie Daniels. I'm 18 years old. I'm from Long Island, NY and I love music, obviously. I've been working for a really long time in the business - I started when I was about eight years old. Since I lived in NY, I was in there all the time auditioning for anything and everything from musical theatres to TV, film, print, modeling, whatever. I have some cool experiences under my belt. When I was about 12 I decided to get into music. I really wanted to get into Christian music. I felt music was the best way to express who I was or am.

. . . and you put together a EP . . .

I did. In April of 03, I really started to work in Nashville. I was working with a few people who put together a six-song EP and I just sold it independently on the website. After being an independent artist for a while, I finally signed with Midas records in September of 05 and my first single hit in January and now, my record is out.

Very nice. So how different was it recording the EP and recording this full length?

I worked with different people - my producer was Scott Davis for this new record. I think it was a lot more personal to me. Also I've grown as a person and an artist. Fifteen compared to eighteen. I feel like I've lived a lot more. I've had a little more life experience. I just think that the lyrics are more raw and honest. I think hopefully it offers courage and hope to others. People can identify with it and relate to it in that and I hope that they do that.

The lead single is called "The Noise". . .

Yeah, my first single is called "The Noise." It did really well on Christian CHR radio.

. . . and it's about hearing God despite all of the distractions going on around you?

Yeah. The verse I like to rely on is Psalm 19:14. It says, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight." Obviously, wherever I am, I want to be where God wants me to be. I want Him to lead me in the right direction. I know I'm not going to make it anywhere if I do it all on my own. So that's what the song is about, trying to block out all of the distractions just to hear God's voice and hear where He's leading me.

So what is the noise going on in your life right now?

I guess right now, it's just day-to-day activities. I'm on the road a lot now and it's been really hectic. It's hard sometimes to just find five minutes to sit down and read your Bible or even just pray, because you are so busy. If you have five minutes, you either want to sleep or eat or do something else. When you find that time [to spend with God], it's special and I think God appreciates you doing that for Him.

There are a couple of songs on the album ("Human Being" and "What Happened?") that talk about the changes that took place in your life once you became a Christian. . .

For me, I noticed a change in my heart. When Christ is in your life, you have this overwhelming love for everything, for people. I'm just grateful and thankful for that.

Can you share a little bit of your testimony?

Growing up in NY City - it's not a very Christian area. I grew up in the Catholic church and I knew about God all of my life, but I didn't have a relationship with Him. When I first came to a Christian church, I felt the presence of God there and it was so strong that it was undeniable. It was a strong, comforting feeling. At that point, I just decided that I wanted to commit my life to [God]. Shortly after, I was realized that God's really blessed me with this talent and decided that I wanted to use it for Him. So I might not have a specific instance, but all the experiences I go through are a testimony to my faith. The lessons that I learn just make me a stronger and better person.

It's all just a growing process. You're also pretty big on Radio Disney right now, how's that working out?

It's working out great. I have a great relationship with them. I've been choosen as one of their "incubator artists," which is their new artist feature. They are really good to me. They like artists with an obviously positive message for the kids. They really took to my music and the fact that I'm a Christian. Maybe I couldn't be too blatant about my faith, but I'm real and relevant with it. I really think I can reach people with that.

Not at all. I think being from NY, it's kind of normal for me to talk about my faith openly, but also in a non-offensive way. You don't want people to shut you out or to think that you're a complete freak. I know that I'm not but still it is a different kind of approach. I don't feel that it is watered down at all there. I just use different ways to explain [my faith].

How well do you think music works as a way of sharing the Gospel message?

I'm so thankful for my music giving me a platform to talk about my faith. I think it totally fits in because it's another way to praise God. And again, I felt that music was another way for me to express myself and my faith is one of the biggest parts of my life. It's a way for me to not only share about God but how I feel about Him and other things in my life.

People have compared your sound to Kelly Clarkson and others in that vein. What do you think about that? Is it frustrating?

I think everybody gets compared to somebody and hey, if it's Kelly Clarkson - obviously, she's doing really well - I'm going to say, "Hey, thanks for the compliment." My music is obviously pop rock, but I hope that it is a breath of fresh air and refreshing to people. I'd like it to mean something more and be different.

I have to ask you about boys, because there a few songs that talk about breakups.

(laughs)

What is your worst breakup story?

I don't really have a specific story, but I think that a lot of young girls - whether it is a crush or a long relationship - have been in that place. I really felt that there wasn't a Christian or a positive role model talking about [break ups] at all. It meant a lot to me knowing that God made my heart whole again and helped me through my tough times. I hope that those songs make young girls - or even guys - say, "Hey, I felt that way, too, but look at how much hope she found." Then they'll hopefully see what else is on this record.

Okay. Now for a couple of light questions to round things out. Since you are so big on Radio Disney, which Disney character do you most relate to?

(laughs) I'm going to have to say Piglet.

Piglet, why is that?

When I was younger, I had a friend who was more like the teddy bear type and I was more like the little munchkin so I guess I was always referred to as Piglet and I just took to it.

You don't say, "Oh Dear" a lot?

(laughs)

Judging by your press photos - and I love the hat you're wearing in a lot of them - you're a pretty stylish person. . .

Oh, thanks. I try, but I don't think I'm that good. . .

Which fashion item would you say is essential to your style?

I don't necessarily have one specific item that I wear all the time, but I've kind of taken to arm socks.

Okay.

I don't know if that makes sense, but you take checkered or patterned socks and you cut the feet off. Then you wear them on your arms as an extension of your t-shirt or jacket or whatever.

So what books have you been reading lately, if any?

Actually in the beginning of May, I started My Utmost for His Highest, a daily devotional by Oswald Chambers, a very insightful man. It's been really cool. I haven't really read any books for leisure much though.

Okay, so the album is out, what can we look forward to from Jessie Daniels?

You can check on my website, JessieDaniels.com or MySpace.com/JessieDaniels. For more info, keep updated and sign up for the mailing lists. I'll surely send stuff out when I've got my summer schedule going. Other than that I'm just going to be me and do what I do best and hopefully sell some records and share Christ with a lot of people.

Are you doing a lot of the festivals then?

There are some coming up.

Any closing thoughts before I let you go get your lunch?

I have a favorite quote, "In order to make a difference you have to different. Maybe not in the clothes that you wear or what you look like but different on the inside."

Is that an original Jessie Daniels thought?

It's not completely original, but I've kind of made it my own.

(laughs)