Spotlight on Jacqueline Blouin

So please tell us, what was your inspiration? Why did you start writing your own songs?

First I started to sing after songs, just as other singers began. I sang basically everything, Johnny Cash, George Gershwin and others. As a child I sang in musicals and in hotels.

Additionally, I always liked to write. Short stories or small poems... everything. However, when I wrote the poems I always had a small melodie in my head, which kind of matched it. The more I learned to play the piano and the guitar, the connection between words and melodie just developed naturally. It was not a conscious process, it rather just happened like this. Also, I believe that a twelve year old girl does not think too much about results which was really good back then.

So what do you think now when listening to your first pieces of composition again?

Oh god, I really had to laugh when I listened to some of my first songs... I wrote about love as if I was an old, wise women but I had no clue how real love felt. When I was twelve I also sent some tapes to some labels that had been recorded in the bathroom. They probably had a lot of fun listening to them.

My lyrics became a lot less naive and maybe even less optimistic. Just as the small girl developed, my music developed, too. The harmony changed. Still I think it is really great, that I just did my music my own way, without worries or thoughts.

Most of your songs are rock. Does rockmusic mean something special to you? Do you prefer it over quiet songs?

I listen to rock, and I like Indie and Alternative Rock most. Also I like the 60's a lot and the music inspires me day by day. However, I would not say, that I rather liked an uptempo-song over a ballade. It depends on my mood....

My  newest songs are less rock, sometimes there is even some folk or country in it. I also love the simple acoustic sound. So at the moment, I am kind of turning away from rock'n'roll - but not from it's lifestyle!

I think I can be more honest without so much unnecessary, over-produced stuff. Therefore I rather focus on the basics. I hate too many effects in a song which makes it impossible to understand the lyrics.

Some stops in your life were Los Angeles and Berlin. Please tell us about your time there, your education and your experiences. What made you the person you are today?

When I was 16 I wanted to move to New York by myself but of course, my parens would not let me. So we had that arrangement that I would graduate from high school in Zurich and would have all my freedom afterwards.

One week after my exams I moved to L.A. to study acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute. In L.A. I wrote a lot of songs, visited many, many concerts, met crazy people and was just inspired. I find L.A. a magic city and I really had an unbelievable, sometimes very hard and wild time being there. To finance everything I worked as a model.

For the last 2.5 years I have been living in Berlin and studying acting and music at the European Theater Institute (ETI). Even though I am very happy in Berlin I want to return to L.A. or New York some day. I don't think I can stay too long in one place. At some point I need always new input.

Tell us about your last album. What does it say? Where can we buy it?

My last album is called "3 p.m. in the morning" and it tells true stories of my life. I do not really have a 9-till-5-liferythm... I work at night at lot.

That is how I came up with the title. The songs are almost two years old and I have changed again since then. That is why I see the album from a rather distinct perspective. Two songs ("Along the highways" and "Promising fool") were played in the US on 162 college radio stations! Last summer I went to New York to promote the album.

You can buy "3 p.m. in the morning" in the itunes store. The stores in Germany will have to wait a little bit longer, but they will sell my new songs soon!

You are using our e-chiffre-system in a prefect way and received quite some positive feedback from the producers. What is your method? How do you use the whole potential of e-chiffre?

E-chiffre is great. I have received many very interesting jobs through StagePool. My trick is to write a little personalized note, depending on the search criteria, something like why I am perfect for this job. Additionally I send articles or MP3, if they ask for it.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2009?

I really want to sing at a Major and produce my new album as big as possible. One of my greatest dreams is to be on a tour! Also I will finish my acting school in summer 2009. A lot is supposed to happen!

Thank you very much for the interview. We wish you the best for your future!

More about Jacquelin see jacquelineblouin.com.

Pictures: Mike Meyer Photography / Schubalu 2008 / Nightcatcher Photography / Sevensens