Jianda to Perform at San Diego Pride 2009 July 1, 2009
Performance Date: July 19, 2009, at 11:00a.m.-12:30 a.m., on the Lavender Stage.
For more information, please visit lavenderlens.com or sdpride.org, email info @ jianda.net, or call: 619 291 8223.
About Jianda
Photo: Ryan Cox / RyanCoxBeauty.com
- Palm Springs Pride Live Photo Credit: Outloudstock.com/C.Hue
“all music is spiritual. to listen to music ….most of what we do is arbitrary. we recreate the world in our minds. but music is real because it follows the laws of the real universe. an octave is twice the vibrations of the octave below it. a fifth is a known thing. there is a cultural bias… there’s a cultural tendency, for instance, what we think of when we hear a minor chord may not be what people in india think of when they hear a minor chord. but generally speaking how that feels…it’s undeniably direct. it doesn’t have the human filter on it. and yet it is a uniquely human process. when you combine that with a lyrical message that either is supported or contrasts with the music, it’s a powerful thing.”
- james taylor, to tavis smiley
All About JiandaLove:
A health-conscious artist, musician, vocalist and widely-published writer, Jianda’s also a poet, guitarist, photographer, actress and singer-songwriter with singles/albums that are both self-released and available on several international independent labels including: Om Records, Merck, Ghostly, Kinkysweet Records, Jam Recordings/Jam Music Australia and Gammaphone. She is also currently studying holistic healing modalities and therapies.
A regular Pride, Open Mic and Feature performer, Jianda’s many genres include electronica, conscious soul, jazz and acoustic folk. In various venues, she primarily performs as a solo acoustic act. Jianda also improvs and jams with DJs, rap artists and other artists, performs her poetry or that of others and collaborates in staged readings live and in-studio.
She spent many years creating content and artist promotions for the then San Diego-based MP3.com, and also facilitates and teaches workshops. You can hear some of her interviews by clicking here.
She’s written, recorded and videotaped interviews, prose, features, reviews and interviews for websites like MP3.com, (the sadly defunct) ChickClick, SonicNet, Consumable Online, B-gyrl.com, Femmusic.com, BlogCritics, Saucyvox.com, Doorknobs and Bodypaint, UC Irvine’s “Faultine,” ScarletLetters, CleanSheets, About.com, RollingStone.com, Emusic.com, Africana.com and GoGirlsmusic.com. She sings. Plays guitar and piano, and writes screenplays and songs…. Mouthsful.
Look for “Faster Pussycats” (Alyson) and “Zaftig: Well-Rounded…” (Cleis Press) in progressive bookstores near you–she’s in them.
Previously, she was an editor and contributor at RollingStone.com, EMusic.com and MP3.com, doing promo and A&R for artists of all stripes. Passion Flower is her drug of choice. Sample her wares at SugarmamaPR.com & Jianda.net.
She has worked in label promotion, and is a featured recording artist in Faith Trimel’s feature film, “Family.” She’s also been a regular contributor to The Lavender Lens and various other publications. Jianda enjoys a sincere love for harmony, cultural enrichment, and communicating love through entertainment, art, sharing, and song.
Visit: www.jianda.net
Booking, Photo/Article Reprint Email: sugarmamapr @ yahoo.com
Sounds: www.myspace.com/jianda
Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/jianda
Other Reflections:
WordPress Blog / Homepage) www.Jianda.net ~
Promotion / Writing www.SugarMamaPR.com ~ Interviews and Audio Page ~ Articles by Ji Page
Photos Ji @ Flickr ~ Jianda.net Photography Page
Free Downloads:
To Buy Jianda’s Music, Click Here, Or:
If you’d like to send away for a CD by Jianda, you can send $10 shipping and handling (US funds) or a postal / snail mail inquiry to: Jianda PO BOX 130245 Carlsbad, CA 92013. Thank you.
Odetta, Gina Rene, Podcast, and Love December 3, 2008
As I began to share the news about this podcast, and then retire, I heard about Odetta.
Earthspirit returning back home–there’s nothing I could add about her that hasn’t already been uttered countless times, such a magnificent soul. Her spirit in “Lightning in a Bottle” continues to breathe fire into my heart. Odetta, I could say you are missed but I know better because you are always with me. So sending you a shout-out bundled in love works better for me.
And this is apropos today…
At some point in my writings, I wanted to thank Gina Rene (left, above) for showing me her own unique way, many years ago, of being a soul singer–better phrased, a soulful singer–though she transcends genre, her soul/electronica vibe continues to be distinctly her own, and it’s good to remember and to claim (and always be willing to reclaim) that genius. Each of us has that genius that is distinctly ours, and Gina really epitomizes that.
I’d been feeling that idea about Gina in my heart strongly for most of the day yesterday, so this seems fitting to share here.
A spiritual and spirited shoutout to the Sweetest because the Sweetest always transcends and flips every label and box and soars over it, shining and smiling.
And now, news about the podcast with Solan, a good soul and a fabulous musician and artist in her own right. I encourage you to check it out, see the press blurb previously written about it below:
<cut/pasted below>:
Jianda Podcast
12-04-2008 18:00 at Sol Rai Cafe Podcast
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sol_rai_cafe
Jianda’s interview with the gracious Solan Rai airs on BlogTalkRadio.com. Listen as Jianda and Solan explore the healing qualities of music and talk about what it means to create from a space that is truly organic. Show airs at 6:00 PM Pacific, 9:00 PM Eastern.
Listen In: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sol_rai_cafe
Renae Bryant and Jianda November 14, 2008
Renae Bryant (from All or Nothing HC) and Jianda
from the Punx Against Bush nite where we both performed (she in punk raw form, myself poetically)
Jianda Speaks to U People October 12, 2008
MUSIC: Jianda speaks to U People
October 9, 2008 by souloperator
interviewed by Tika Milan
Cali native Jianda, a regular Pride, Open Mic and Feature performer, creates music that runs the gamut of genres including electronica, conscious soul, jazz and acoustic folk. In various venues, she primarily performs as a solo acoustic act but also improvs with DJs, rap artists and other artists. Her songs, “Always Nice”, “Happily Ever”, and “A La Ronde” were featured on February’s U People mixtape. Jianda sat down with me to discuss, being queer, singing in French and the inspiration of the California sun.
I loved your song, “A La Ronde”. What does it mean?
I wrote those lyrics quite a while ago. It’s basically about chasing someone, about unrequited love, and [in the song the narrator] realizes the lover she’s chasing isn’t feeling it. A La Ronde is a French phrase that means [something like] going round and round. Or kind of a loop-de-loop kind of feeling. It’s one of those playful but deep songs, depending on how you’re feeling it.
Why did you choose to write that song in French instead of English?
Sometimes it’s just speaking the unspeakable. Sometimes it’s more inspirational to do something in another language and express yourself in a new way. I’ve always resonated with France and particularly writers from the Harlem Renaissance. There were a lot of people at that time who expatriated to France and I feel that that is articulating [that vibe] in some kind of way. Maybe not consciously, but I just know that it definitely has stuck with me spiritually.
Are you from Southern Cali originally?
Yeah I am. I spent most of my formative years in Orange County. As an adult I spent a lot of time in San Diego.
How does being in California affect your music?
Well I’m definitely [inspired] by the beach and the sun and the warmth of the weather and the wide open spaces. I feel a connection with nature and ocean most of the time. Nature always understands and is always there for us.
How do you approach your music?
I’m always writing poetry and lyrics. I always have melodies going through my head but I try to make it a more organic process so when I go to the studio I flow.
I try to get an overriding sense that will infuse the song and set my intention for every song. I want it to be a healing process. I think that’s why I’ve taken a long hiatus from music, because I really want it to be a healing thing for myself and others.
I’ve been performing at a lot of pride events, but I haven’t recorded in a while.
How many albums do you have?
I have one CD of self released songs but my songs have been featured on a few albums. Maybe about seven total. I think I’m most known for my work with Om Records. I was on their Om Lounge 10 release which was a ten year anniversary for them. It was flattering to be featured on such a prestigious release. I’ve been listening to House, and Soul and Electronica for so many years, so I feel like having my love for that music reflected back was very cool.
What artists influence your music? If at all.
It’s hard to narrow it down to a handful or an artist. I think it’s genres that influence me. I’m really moved by deep house music.
There’s this folk singer named Elizabeth Cotten. She passed in 1987. She’s a black legendary folk singer. Her spirit has been speaking to me for a long time.
For lack of a better word, I can say I’m queer. I’ve been in so many different scenes. I’ve been in the Goth scene, I’ve been in the LGBT scene. I’ve hung out with African-American women and men. [I've dated men and women...]
Particularly recently, I’ve been involved in projects for black lesbians. I have singles that will be in some films… [most recently...] Faith Trimel has a film called Family. I feel like I have a heart for African American lesbian projects but I’ve had so much wounding by African American lesbians who feel that you’re supposed to be in a certain box. That’s why Elizabeth Cotten spoke to me because if you close your eyes she sounds like just a sweet little old lady, [beyond color, beyond boxes, beyond genre]. Some might say she doesn’t sing in tune and may not see the struggles she went through. ..she taught herself how to play music and she was a [so-called] domestic. She wrote a lot of folk songs. Her spirit and her music really blows me away.
Lets go back to being queer. How does your queer identity come through in your music?
I was with my ex girlfriend for 3 years and that’s when I really started verbalizing that I’m a lesbian. And I think it was for political reasons. We were in a strong loving committed relationship and I wanted to commit to that word for her and it felt right at the time. And it still does. You can call me many things. We’re many things and we’re one thing. [During and since] my partner and I have broken up, she decided that she was trans. So now, she is he… so now the label lesbian doesn’t apply. [And we're back to spirit.] I think how it affects my music is that I’m always trying to get back to that love…that prenatal love where you’re at one with yourself and you’re connected to your mother and the earth and your father. Just this oneness. I feel like I’m trying to get back to that at some point and express that. I’m always trying to throw healing and calming vibrations out there. I’m a big softy.
Originally published at uPeople–Thanks and Peace
Jianda Featured at DJ Lynee’s U People Mix / Podcast October 2, 2008
FEBRUARY 2008 – LYNNEE DENISE
Thanks so Upeople and DJ Lynee–
Check this snippet of DJ Lynnee Denise’s eclectic mix for the February U People Download Card.
Click Here for DJ Lynee Feature
DJ Lynnee U People Mix [9:24m]: Hide Player | Play in Popup
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Get your U People Download Mixtape Card Here
February Track List
1. A La Ronde Jianda.
2. Do You Mind Hanifah
3. Always Nice Jianda
4. Free Prelude Jill Scott
5. happily ever after
6. Aqurarium Meshell Nedege O’cello
7. The Hours lynnee denise–featuring malena perez
8. obsession battle groove
9. nights over egypt the jones girl
10. human behavior bjork
11.paper thin mc lyte
12. Estrellas (Re-Bound) lynnee denise
13. the women gather nikki giovanni
14. starr people ebb mix fertile ground
15. Where I want to go Tarray Reynolds
16. Believer Onliest
17. I want More Cassandra Wilson
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