Judging by the early reaction, JES’ fans will soon be chanting that word as their own personal mantra, as well. And the artist is nothing if not grateful for the support she’s received. “It was difficult to figure out what kind of album I was going to make,” she says. “A lot of people like me to just sit and play the piano and sing. But I found myself in this world with a lot of fans, and I don’t want to go away from that. I also love it, and I’m a part of it!”

And no matter how hard she tries to Disconnect, her fans won’t let her stray any time soon. Not that she plans to: “You get better as you do it,” she says of songwriting and performing. “If you’re focused and you learn, if you open yourself up to it. I wrote some really great songs while I was writing this one. I can see my progress.”

So can we, JES. And we can’t wait to see more.

JES on…

… being a DIVA:

“A Diva is definitely someone with a lot of confidence, who knows what she’s doing and projects a lot of strength. I strive to be a Diva. I do. I don’t know if I’m quite there yet cause I feel so human and so mortal and so connected to everyone. I just try to keep myself fully grounded in this crazy life we’re living. I would definitely like to get a little more Diva-ish. I think it naturally grows on you as you progress in your career!”

… life as a performer.

“It’s really about the fans. When you get up there and they’re with you, it’s something you can’t describe. You’re giving love and they’re giving love, and that’s what life’s about: music, love, people, friends. What’s beautiful about the dance world is that it’s a very loving crowd.

… the transition from rock to dance.

“I grew up in New York City and I always went dancing. I always went to clubs, so that’s already in my soul, anyway. If you’re a songwriter and you write a good song, you can put a beat underneath it. It’s more important to concentrate on writing a good song than on writing over a beat. Even Sarah McLachlan… she’s a songwriter and her greatest dance songs are things that weren’t written as dance songs. People put a beat underneath while she played the piano and sang.”

… touring with Tiesto.

“It’s been the most fabulous thing in the world: a dream come true! I have had so many experiences in such a short amount of time. I’ve been opening the show so it’s also a big challenge… because they’re coming to see him, not me! So you really have to warm them up and get them crazy and ready for him. We’ve played some pretty wild places. You just don’t want it to end!”

… the songwriting process.

“It’s funny, you either write your songs when you’re in pain or when you’re feeling really good! I think we all feel the same things, and you hope to write a song that will connect with people. I go through spurts… sometimes I don’t write anything! But I’m always constantly writing words and lyrics. I’m constantly writing things down and synthesizing ideas in my head. I’m always in a club, at a show, around DJs, around artists, and hearing a lot of music so that’s a big influence. I write about life and love and loss and faith.”

... the success of “As the Rush Comes.”

“It was a certain time in dance music and there was a hole for that song to fill. Sometimes when you’re working on songs you get that feeling in your soul and in your gut about it. You see yourself singing it to people. I definitely had that feeling about that song.”

Diva Divo • copyright 2007 • kurtmalecdesigns.com