JoJo Smith says she still finds the inspiration to write music after nearly four decades in the music industry.
JoJo has been singing and playing drums professionally since the age of 14, but time hasn't lessened her passion and dedication to music. “It's been an interesting ride really, I mean I love music, so that’s been the main ingredient for me, just having music in my life all this time... I do have a great love for music. I think that that got into my system pretty early in life, and I just love it, it rejuvenates me every time. I know it sounds crazy but it sort of feeds my soul.”
JoJo finds the inspiration for her music in many different places. “I'm inspired by music anyway... I could have a look at a mountain, if you like, and feel inspired. Different things inspire me, people’s experiences inspire me, my experiences, there's lots of little fields that touch through to me that I feel inspire me; little tentacles of inspiration.”
The musician from Victoria is preparing to launch her fourth solo studio album 'Standing In The Lovelight', which includes eight original songs and four covers. The album's title track was written by JoJo for all of the musicians and singers she has worked with throughout her career. “That's the idea of the song. ‘Standing In The Lovelight’ is actually about playing music with other great players.”
‘Standing In The Lovelight’ was partially crowdfunded by fans, something new to JoJo. “It was was an amazing help for me to get the CD done, I had to work really hard with the project and push it myself every day. That was a good lesson for me, to sort of put myself out there, be gracious as I went... I'd definitely like to thank [those who donated] again and again and again... It's not a business for everybody to make a heap of money in... unless you crack the big time and there's only a few people who would do that, and can do that.”
While admitting the hardships of working in the music industry, JoJo does not discourage anyone from following their own dreams. “I do continue to write and work on different gigs, I've applied for a lot of festivals, it’s a continuous job. Any musician, I would say to them to keep on keeping on, try and extend yourself a bit each time you do something.”
Written by Darcy Stephens
JoJo Smith plays the Brisbane Jazz Club Saturday July 5.
