Happy Monday, readers!
Meet our new Music Monday artist this week, Jocelyn Alice.
Jocelyn Alice is a Canadian singer-songwriter that is ready to make a name for herself here in the United States. She’s enchanting and fierce with a vocal range that speaks straight to your soul.
“I started my career by playing in a few different bands,” Jocelyn told us exclusively. “I played in a band for about four years ago called Jocelyn & Lisa and then went solo two years ago.”
About a year ago, Jocelyn released her debut single “Jackpot” and literally hit the jackpot with it!
“Jackpot is a song about self empowerment,” she says. “People think it is about poker, but it is really just a metaphor for winning your dream life, knowing what that means to you, and knowing what you’re willing to do to get it. It was kind of a turning point in my life because it made me realize that this life can be anything I want it to be.”
The track is currently dominating the Spotify Canada charts with over 1.3 million streams. “I was not expecting it to do well at all. It went gold in Canada and was played on the radio all summer long. It was very cool experience,” Jocelyn shares. “Jackpot” was also featured on Spotify Canada’s Spotlight 2016 playlist, #9 on Spotify’s Most Viral playlist in the United States, #12 on Shazam Canada, and #13 on iTunes Canada. Watch the music video for “Jackpot” below.
CelebSecrets4U met up with Jocelyn Alice in New York last month to talk about her music and visiting New York City.
“I’ve only been to New York once! It was for like 24 hours… I had meetings the whole day flew out that night,” Jocelyn told us exclusively when we asked her if she’s ever been to New York. “I have 5 or 6 days here this time and I want to do EVERYTHING! I want to go to museums, eat food, shop, and even go see some live music and a comedy show. Maybe I’ll even meet a boy and fall in love!”
In our interview, the Canadian singer talks about her writing and recording process, where we can see her in the future, and why people should check out her music in the United States. She even revealed some pretty cool fashion secrets and fun facts about herself — make sure to read the full Q&A below.
For more information on Jocelyn Alice, make sure to follow her on Twitter at @IamJocelynAlice and visit her website at http://jocelynalice.com.
CelebSecrets4U: How would you describe your sound to our readers?
Jocelyn Alice: “I call it pop, soul, hip-hop because I don’t really know what else to call it! It really depends on the song, the day, and who I’m playing with. I hope to cross a lot of different genres. I’m very passionate about not putting boundaries around myself in that way.”
CelebSecrets4U: You write your own music, correct?
Jocelyn Alice: “Yes.”
CelebSecrets4U: What’s it like when you go into the studio and say to yourself “I want to make a song…” What’s your process like?
Jocelyn Alice: “That’s a good question! I’ve been learning a lot about how to be more productive and inspired in the studio. It has been a very discouraging experience for me in the past because I would have this vision in my head and it would not sound the way I thought it would. As a songwriter, I really need to take time and give the song space to breathe and become what it is, because I don;t really believe you can force music into being something without it feeling forced and I want people to feel relaxed and happy when they hear my music.”
CelebSecrets4U: What’s next for you in the future?
Jocelyn Alice: “Right now it’s America, baby! I am in the states for the next month promoting “Jackpot” in this new, beautiful, and huge country. I’m very excited about it. It will be cool in a year from now to look back and see what happens.”
CelebSecrets4U: This is pretty much your debut in the States, so probably not a lot of our readers heard of your music yet. Why do you think they should check out your music?
Jocelyn Alice: “I believe that I have something really important to say and I hope that I get to say it in a creative and intuitive way that listeners have never heard before. I really believe in emotions and feeling and being able to express yourself. I think you can never have too much of that, so I hope my music is a place where they can have a good time.”
CelebSecrets4U: We’re really into beauty and fashion here at CelebSecrets4U, so I want to know some beauty and fashion tips you swear to live by.
Jocelyn Alice: “Oh my god! high-waisted jeans only.. more like ever!”
CelebSecrets4U: That’s a good tip!
Jocelyn Alice: “Right!? Had i known about these in high school, my self-esteem would have been so much higher! I will never wear heels, either. I’m always in flats; preferably sneakers. I usually wear bracelets on one arm only with rolled-up sleeves and lip gloss. That’s kind of my every day go to. Comfort, is key though. I do not feel attractive unless I’m comfortable.
CelebSecrets4U: Totally agree.
Jocelyn Alice: “I see girls out sometimes and I’m like “honey, you do not look cute right now, you look real uncomfortable.'”
CelebSecrets4U: Our website is called CelebSecrets4U, so what’s a secret about yourself that you can share with us?
Jocelyn Alice: “The more that you get to know me, the more you will know that I’m terribly clumsy. I run into everything. I’m constantly bruised and fall off stages.”
CelebSecrets4U: Oh my goodness.
Jocelyn Alice: “Like it’s a real show watching me just try to live life.”
CelebSecrets4U: Is there like one embarrassing moment that you’ve just never forgotten?
Jocelyn Alice: “Oh my god! Actually one comes to mind right now. So I was singing at this karaoke contest when I was about fourteen and to me this contest was like the end of the world. I did what I normally do; I didn’t learn the song so I didn’t know any of the words, so I went up there to sing thinking that I will just sing whatever words I want. I threw words in there not realizing that the backing track had the original lyrics, so I was singing the wrong words. Anyway, I got into the finals somehow… it was so embarrassing. I remember stepping off stage and my dad being like ‘what happened?’ I told him I didn’t want to talk about it because it was so embarrassed.”
