Island: For all artists making a name for themselves in the industry is like a double edged sword where on one hand having independence to make music is always something every musician wants but on the other hand trying to get ahead to a point where anyone who has ever picked up a guitar or written a song and put their vocals to lyrics has an image in the back of their mind of breaking through. With Time Is Never Wasted it is an album that is entirely natural sounding and spans several musical styles. First, what would you say was your main concern with releasing this album? Second, did you think the reaction to it would be as powerful as it has? And lastly, how has your life changed now with an album to your name?

Janeen: Yes, going into the studio the first time was intimidating, I thought I knew what to expect but I was wrong. It can feel a bit like you’re in a box. I would often close my eyes and pretend there was an audience and that helped a lot… As far as the final product, deciding on the final songs for the album went just about the entire span of the 2 ½ years it took to finish the album. What I had originally laid out as the 1st draft I guess you could say… was almost completely different from the final. The first step was, I put together a pre-production, rough recording of the album… and then I just kept re-working it as each song was recorded and worked on. There were songs that didn’t feel right and songs that did that replaced them, not that the ones that were replaced were bad, just not right for the album. And then there were some that because of budget, I didn’t have the luxury of replacing… they were already recorded, so they were going on the album! (smile) I think just that was the biggest risk, hoping those songs would work because I didn’t have a choice. I’m ultimately happy with how it came out. I feel it completely conveys my style and who I am as a person and an artist. It’s very rewarding to finish something I’ve always dreamed of, I really put my whole heart and soul into it..

Island: Like many musicians you are based in Los Angeles and with that being said it's no secret that L.A. is the hotspot for anyone who wants to try and make it. Originally you started in Denver so I'm guessing the journey from there to where you're at currently must have been one with countless obstacles met along the way. Anyone who has made such a journey goes through massive challenges so that brings me to my next question: What was your frame of mind upon arriving in L.A. and how has the experience of coming into your own changed since deciding to become a musician?

Janeen: Oh yes, I met many obstacles. I decided to move to LA to go to Musicians Institute right after I graduated high school. I spent a year working to save up and then I moved out in 1998, I was 18. My frame of mind was honestly… I was young and I thought I was a big fish in Aurora where I grew up… you know I had a lot of solos in my choir shows in high school… I was kind of famous at my school for my voice (laughs) so, I thought I’ll go out to LA and I’ll show ‘em what I got! (laugh) Doesn’t everyone who comes out to LA? (laughs) Then of course, I come out to LA and realize very quickly that I am no big fish! Plenty of talent out here! Literally millions of people trying to do the same thing… and I think I knew that before moving… but I had no idea to the extent. That’s a lot of what has changed… coming into my own… being humbled and growing up. I experienced more challenges and grew more in the first year of coming out to LA than I did my entire life previously combined.

Island: Lets focus more on Time Is Never Wasted, the first thing I noticed when listening to the album is the overall sound has a more down to earth texture to it and what I mean is nothing feels forced or rushed. The raw/live manner in which it was recorded transferred over extremely well making the album stand out so in your opinion would you say this helped the songs come off better than when you first wrote them? As many things can and will change between first conceiving an idea for a song to what is featured on the CD.

Janeen: Oh definitely better! Some songs, I really had a specific sound that I heard how I wanted the production as soon as they were written and then some that definitely changed and grew into something way different than when they were first conceived, for sure. I’m glad to hear you say that it sounds natural and not rushed, that was one of my biggest concerns… I wanted to get it done right, not quickly!

Island: This release sees you doing something that many musicians have done which is having a say from a technical standpoint with the majority of material on Time Is Never Wasted being produced by yourself. It is not an uncommon practice however it's a rarity for many independent artists to take on the role on a debut album and not to mention there also lingers the vulnerability of inexperience. Was there any point in time where Janeen Leah the musician clashed with Janeen Leah the producer? Beings that a musician wants to make sure they put out the perfect album.

Janeen: Oh yeah! I was always hearing the vocals as being too sloppy; fighting myself should I do it over? Keven, my engineer helped me a lot, I would ask him… does that sound pitchy or emotional? He would always give me his honest opinion, but not solicited… he only gave his opinion when I asked for it, which I really appreciated. The musician in me was worried about the pitch and the producer was worried about conveying the emotion, it was a big challenge to be able to discern between the two. I think I’ll be able to do a better job with the next album! (smile)

Island: Another large component with the album's endurance is the combination of acoustic and electric guitars, each mesh collectively thus incorporating a more organic feel to the complete album. Your acoustic guitar work has brought out a more raw passion in your music as anyone who listens to this CD will be able to hear the emotion and soulfulness that comes about. I was surprised by the electric guitar practically complimenting your acoustics as very few albums will grab me right away guitar wise but it was nice to hear musicians who play from the heart and not so much go on today's modern fad of down tuning. Was this raw ambience what you wanted to make sure was included on Time Is Never Wasted? Many artists will conform to one sound so did you want to make sure that the electrical presence was there so you would come off more than just a pop artist? As there are several tracks where you go into rock mode and give everyone an earful.

Janeen: Hey, right on! I like that! Yeah! (laughs) You know, it’s just what comes out of me, and It’s just what came out of the musicians who played on the record, I don’t know that I can explain it. I guess I could just say that I definitely am opposed to fads when it comes to my music. I don’t ever want my music to sound dated, I aspire to a timeless sound. I feel that rock and rock fused with jazz/blues/soul will never go out of style. So, that would be awesome if that came across.

Island: Every musician has an urgency to perform live it's just a simple way of honing their craft until they get good enough where it becomes second nature. Like many independent artists you're playing in live settings like clubs but with an album like Time Is Never Wasted it also has a coffee house feel to it. What has the reaction been to the material from audiences you've performed in front of? And what do you enjoy the most when performing in an intimate setting?

Janeen: I’ve done both the coffee house gigs, where it’s just me or me with a few other players. And I’ve done the bar or club with the full on band. I enjoy both settings just like I enjoy both styles of music that I write… rock and the jazz/blues. The audiences always respond well which thrills me every time. When I was young and played in Aurora and Denver area… there were always a ton of people at the shows… coming out to LA… I had to start over and I had to compete with millions of other acts that would be going on in other venues the same night. Now with the album out, things are now starting to pick up more, which is great! (smile) What I love most about an intimate setting? Um… it’s kind of a funny thing, but it’s the fact that it’s challenging. I’m grateful that I have had my start in intimate settings because it’s the hardest kind of crowd. You can see everyone’s face! If someone looks away from you or starts talking to people, you have to while you’re performing, fight the internal battle where you’re thinking… are they looking away cause they’re not enjoying the show? It seems kind of silly, but that’s my human reaction that I’ve had to struggle with. There are so many distractions in an intimate crowd! But, when it’s a night where everyone is intently watching, it’s a wonderful connection.

Island: Time to have a little fun in past interviews we've done word associations where we will give an artist a couple choices and they have to pick only one answer and explain their reason. So here goes:

Island: Sarah McLachlan or Tori Amos

Janeen: Sarah McLachlan. She’s the first singer/songwriter that I got into when I was about 13. Her music is very emotional, with just the right mix of honesty but keeping it open to interpretation.

Island: Captured in My Own Mind or I Know?

Janeen: Oh man, you’re gonna make me pick one of MY songs! (smile) Both of them are so fun to perform live, but if I’m picking the recorded track off the album. I’d say “Captured in My Own Mind”, it was so fun to record and it came a long way from it’s original recording that I did 6 or 7 years ago.

Island: Jazz or Blues?
Janeen: Tough one! I’d say Jazz is more fun to sing.

Janeen: CD Player, only because I don’t have an iPod… yet! (smile)

Island: With the present state of the industry a lot of musicians are very devoted to making a name for themselves, seasoned veterans have always said "Don't get into music if you are doing it for the money." It's not exactly the highest paying career out there but it seems that as long as artists are putting out music a majority of people will use their intellect to search around to find quality musicianship and that's exactly how we here at the Island discovered you. If you could give someone not familiar with you or your sound a brief description what would you say? Feel free to say as much as you want here.

Janeen: I’d start out by saying that my music is pop/rock with a little bit of jazz influence. My songwriting is catchy, yet sophisticated. My lyrics are meaningful and spiritual, getting messages across without preaching. I’ve been compared to other singer/songwriters such as, Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, Sheryl Crow and Norah Jones. I feel that I’m similar to them in that I’m female, a singer/songwriter and a musician and that we all fall into the pop/rock genre. But, I feel I’m very different from them because they all have distinct styles as so do I. Sarah and I differ in our vocal and most musical styling, but we share emotionally driven songwriting. Tori and I differ in the musicality of lyrics and pop/rock sensibilities, but we share a taste for breaking out of the norm and being versatile. Sheryl and I differ in vocal styling and conforming to one style, but we share the love for guitar and the attitude to rock. Norah and I differ in vocals and that she has a flare for country while I have a flare for rock, but we share a love for jazz.

Island: Well Janeen that about does it for our questions. As this interview wraps up we want to congratulate you on the release of this stellar album (We're urging all our readers to check it out!!). Any final thoughts, words of wisdom, or anything you'd like to say to our readers/ your fans?

Janeen: Thank you to Jere and The Island so much for this opportunity to promote my album, and for the stellar review! I am honored and humbled. Thanks to all who worked with me on the album, they deserve much recognition… it would not be what it is without you! Thank you to all who have picked up my album and have other wise supported me. Please know of my sincere gratitude. Thank you! My word of wisdom … (smile) never let go of your talents…they are a gift. And never give up on your dreams! Every one has something to bring to the table and can make a difference in the world.