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A Conversation with Erika Jayne
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Dance/pop maven, Erika Jayne has parlayed an eclectic sense of style, drop-dead good looks, stage smarts, a bushel basket full of talent, and an insatiable work ethic into a performance career that has not only taken off, but is about to kick in the after-burners. Number 1 dance tracks, chart topping music videos, and song placements in movies are just the beginning as Erika preps the release of her new CD, Pretty Mess.
Mike Parker – You’ve been performing almost since you were alive. Your mom is a classically trained pianist; you took dance lessons as a child; you attended the North Atlanta School of Performing Arts in high school. Did you ever consider doing anything else?
Erika Jayne – Yeah, I thought I was going to be a veterinarian, but I suck at math. Then I thought I was going to be a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. I thought all of the those things girls think growing up.
Parker – What was the draw to being an entertainer? I know it looks glamorous from the outside, but it’s a lot of hard, hard work and a very uncertain career.
Erika – I always kind of had the performance bug since I was a kid; always asking to be introduced as I stepped out of the closet as a little girl so I could sing a song. I was kind of a clown.
Parker – You moved by yourself to New York while you were still a teenager to pursue your career as an entertainer. That was pretty gutsy.
Erika – Well, I had lots of friends from the performing high school who lived in New York, so it wasn’t like I was totally alone. I mean, I didn’t just pull up in a bus station, like Madonna. Of course it was intimidating, as New York City tends to be. I went on a lot of auditions; went through the newspaper; did everything everyone else does when they are trying to make it in the City. It was a lot of word of mouth. That’s how you did it. You just hit the street. I did a lot of walking because I was too broke to take a cab. But it’s all good. All that walking helps you stay in shape.
Parker – All the hard work is paying off. You’ve already scored a couple of radio hits and landed several of your songs in major motion pictures. And you’ve got a new CD getting ready to drop.
Erika – I’m very happy about it. It feels great to be able to wake up in the morning and do what you love.
Parker – What draws you to a song?
Erika – Two things; the sound and the visual pictures it creates through the lyrics. I’m a pretty emotional creature so when I write I draw from my own experiences - perhaps something I’ve seen that morning; perhaps the way I feel. For me, writing a song is never a chore. I like to express myself and writing is a great way to do that.
Parker – Comparisons to Madonna are frequent, and after watching a couple of your music videos, I’d have to say inevitable. Are the comparisons legit?
Erika – I’m a huge fan of Madonna. I’ve love everything she has done. I’ll just leave it at that. It’s funny. I’m in my studio right now, looking at a signed album of “Like a Virgin.”
Parker – You hail from the South, even though you live in LA. What do your Southern roots bring to you as a performer?
Erika – Charm. Southern people like to flirt. They can charm people. They have that charisma that makes them fun to be around.
Parker – Last words?
Erika – I had a great time making my new CD, “Pretty Mess.” I like the album. It’s a lot of fun. It’s about escape and fantasy and I think we could all use a little of that. Hopefully people will enjoy listening to it.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Erika – Love.
2. What makes you happy?
Erika – My family.
3. What makes you angry?
Erika – Injustice.
4. What is the secret of success?
Erika – Self love. Self acceptance. Confidence.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Erika – Jesus.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Erika – “She lived her life to the fullest, left nothing on the table, gave it all she had, and squeezed every drop out if it.”
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Erika – “You did a good job. You were a good person.”
For more info: Visit ErikaJayne.com
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Cirque du Soleil coach Michael John Ocampo
Miss March’s Alexis Raben
The Script Frontman Danny O'Donaghue
Obsessed Producer Will Packer
Sleepless in Seattle - the Musical Producer David Shor
Broadway Star Megan Hilty
Kings Creator Michael Green
Watchmen's Apollonia Vanova
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