A Quick Chat with Jemma Siles

Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration for your debut ep?

I wanted to write a full body of work, something that tells a story, something that others can draw inspiration from and feel less alone in this world. I wanted it to be fun and I wanted it to be cathartic. I wanted nuances, light and dark, the story of the rollercoaster we go on growing up and figuring out this funny little thing called life.

What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting?

Taylor Swift - she has an art for storytelling and finding interesting ways of explaining things, thinking about how she writes always challenges me to think about another angle of trying to say something. How can I say this differently? Or in a way that no one else has, in my own unique way and perspective.

What’s the creative process like for you?

I tend to like to go into a session with an idea, what do I want to write about? What am I feeling today? This is like a journal to me. Sometimes I’ll come in with a poem I’d already written or a lyric idea but more often than not it’ll be off the cuff. I like to think about what type of song I want to write also, is this a ballad? Is this a song I want to dance to on stage? Is this a song that just tells a story? As you can see a lot of the time it’s asking myself questions and when I get the answers to those questions, the song flows from there. I tend to do this and voice to the producer I’m working with “let’s make a song that is a fun pop song today” and I’ll then sit in the corner on my notes app and start vibing to the music they created and I’ll then feel the emotions of the music to an extent and figure out where the song needs to go. After that it kinda just flows from there, like writing a note to a friend or writing in your journal.

If you could change something about the Australian music industry, what would it be?

Australian pop music isn’t supported enough. I’ve found the public wanting to support small pop artists but the industry seems to shut small pop artists out unless they’re big. Unless they’re Gracie Abrams or Taylor Swift, they seem to give you a little pat on the back, well done, once or twice and then leave you to fend for yourself. It is what it is but one thing I would change is having more backing for the smaller pop artists because the public have no idea where to find us if we’re not getting help from the industry.

What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet?

I think almost every artist would say the same thing - it’s a need. Once you start creating, you can’t imagine functioning without it. Music has shaped who I am. It forces you to look inward, reflect on your own experiences and the experiences of others, and notice the small nuances of life. If you let it, it makes you a better, more self-aware person.

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry?

Don’t! Haha sorry I had to say that, my advice is just to keep going. Don’t stop, keep getting better at your craft, keep working on it, keep pushing through, if you believe you have what it takes, you only fail when you stop. Find your lane, don’t try to please everyone and just keep moving forward. Know others may have more connections or more support but there’s room for everyone and things are always changing and evolving, you’ll get your time if you just keep swimming.