"The moment I decided to take my interest in Chinese music more seriously and take the plunge into learning a traditional instrument was when I felt like I began to have my own unique voice."
TRAKTIVIST is essentially a collection of stories & storytellers through art. Through these interviews, our aim is to give each artist the ability to provide a glimpse of their art, dynamic experiences, and life perspectives.
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Jett, aka Jett Kelly. I'm a singer, songwriter, and guzheng player.
Tell us about your project as Jett Kelly.
I initially began the group for my graduation recital at CalArts. I had just begun to play the guzheng and explore traditional Chinese music, and I wanted to experiment using the instrument and Chinese sounds in my composition in a way that wasn't "fusion" or "world". I think non-western instruments are often undermined and limited to those genres.
In five words, how would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard it?
Cinematic, visual, textural, intimate, and ethereal. Its been and continues to be difficult describing my sound distinctly, since I feel I don't quite fit in to any genre. I'm influenced by everything from Patsy Cline and Ella Fitzgerald to Deerhoof and Patrick Watson, so in other words, a wide range of music. I definitely place emphasis on vocals, as most of my training has been with voice.
Tell us a story of transformation; musical, identity, or something that has played a key role in change in your life.
I listened to a lot of pop and R&B growing up, so being exposed to different kinds of music beginning in high school was really important. When I started training in opera, I feel like my voice really opened up, though I knew it wasn't something I wanted to pursue. The most drastic change so far was definitely going to college and having everything I thought I was and wanted ripped down so that I could build something else up, something stronger. The moment I decided to take my interest in Chinese music more seriously and take the plunge into learning a traditional instrument was when I felt like I began to have my own unique voice.
Describe a place, either geographically, socially, or emotionally that has driven, or continues to drive, your creative process.
Music for me started out as a very intimate experience. It was definitely a form of escape for me growing up. I want to balance the intimacy of my music with an outward expression of it, the latter being a relatively new feeling for me. Women's issues are an integral part of my drive to express myself.
I'm also interested in presenting a different voice in the mainstream. There are comparatively so few Asian American voices in the entertainment industry.
How does the “Asian American” identity play out in your musical universe?
Being Asian American, and specifically an Asian American woman is definitely at the core of my artistic expression. I've always been thinking about my identity in that way - the novelty of being mixed, and what my notion of belonging means. Music is part of my path to defining my own Asian American identity as well as relating to others.
Featured Music:
Upcoming Event:
➼ Friday, March 11 at 8 PM - Jett-k EP Release/Going Away Show! @ The Virgil
➼ Monday, March 14 at 9pm - Opening set for Fell Runner at the Bootleg Theater
Discover more about Jett-k:
http://www.jettkelly.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jettkwongkelly/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/jettkellyofficial/
https://twitter.com/iamJettKelly