v
Jalen Rance
Interview
by L Martinez
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a singer song writer from Boston and I am 16 years old. I
am studying the piano at Berklee School of Music in Boston, I am
taking their songwriting course. I am also studying the classical
Bel Canto vocal technique.
For our readers who have
never heard your music,
explain your sound in a few
words:
My sound is real soulful, fun and hip.
You can listen to it on my website:
jalenmusic.com
Who are your inspirations?
Right now, I have a new one, Sam
Cooke because of my vocal coach. I
also like Frank Ocean and Usher. Donny
Hathaway.
Who are you listening to these
days… be honest.
Um, I like Beyonce. She is really good,
and some Justin Timberlake. As I
mentioned, I also like old school soul
music. Nina Simone. Otis Redding. I
have been performing more classic
soul music. The song “Feeling Good”
by Nina Simone is one I have been
performing lately. I am really lucky with
having a new licensed arrangement
that an amazing bunch of top musicians
worked on for me. They worked like day
and night on it, and I am really thankful
to also have them as mentors in my life.
36 Southern Inked
November 2013
When do you remember first
enjoying music?
I always thought I was around 10 but
my family says it started when I was
around six or seven years old. They say
I would run around singing Brittany
Spears – “Toxic” and “Hit me baby one
more time”. (He laughs).
What do you sing in the
shower?
What don’t I sing in the shower! I
usually sing whatever I am listening
to that day. I tend to sing what I am
practicing or what I’m working on, and
I usually sing at the top of my lungs!
If you could go open up for
any artist on tour right now
who would it be?
I have a couple. Ariana Grande – she is
amazing. She does R&B music mixed
with pop and that is the style I really
like, and can really sing. And, it doesn’t
hurt that she is really beautiful too!
Also, Usher. He is an amazing stage
performer and has such a unique voice
and performance style.
So, I take it you have a crush on
Ariana Grande?
Uh, huh (he laughs shyly).
beautiful and has such style.
She is
What’s your motto or the
advice you live by?
I have one quote that I really like and
try to live by everyday: “Good things are
coming, surely but slowly.” And it just
reassures me that even though things
may be moving slowly sometimes but
that everything always has a climax
or moment of change that is good for
you. So I try to always keep believing
that something good is down the road
for you.
Ten years from now you will
be….
Where do I see myself? I see myself
on stage at Madison Square Garden,
in New York City; performing my own
songs with an amazing band. And
of course, being on tour, Hopefully
headlining…
Maybe with Ariana Grande
opening for you?
(He laughs) She will probably be on her
own tour…
What’s your favorite thing to
do outside of Music?
I like to hang out with my friends – play
video games and rollerblade. I also
really like to sit in my room and write
songs. I go to a high school that focused
on the culinary arts so I cook at school