An Interview With the Pop And R&B Newcomer, JOELINA DREWS!

Combining Pop with R&B, her music gives way for Joelina Drew’s sultry mezzo-soprano voice to shine while maintaining her pure pop sensibilities. Destined for pop stardom, Joelina has been surrounded by music her whole life, with her father being the famous German Schlager-musician Jürgen Drews. At only six years old, Joelina started taking vocal and piano lessons, and at fourteen, she began her career as a recording artist with being seen on TV shows such as The Dome and Stepping Out, the German version of Dancing With The Stars.

Nearly seven years later, Joelina Drews has found her sound and is posed to make her mark in the world of pop music. Recently releasing her breakout single “Skybar” and “Drive” in 2017, Joelina has introduced her sound with an urban pop/R&B vibe, reminiscent of Dua Lipa, Zara Larsson and Tove Lo.

Connect With Joelina Drews Here:

Website: https://www.joelinadrews.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joelinadrews/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelinadrewsofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2hcd9fCW567rLFPQ1j1Pch?si=WwhRpvkQ

Learn more about Joelina in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time, Joelina! Where does this interview find you now? What’s on tap for the rest of your day?

I actually just got home from a songwriting session and will go out later and have some drinks with my friends to celebrate the release of my new single “Scream My Name.”

Overall, how do you think 2018 has been treating you and your music career? What has been one goal that you have had this year and how close are you to reaching it?

So far, I am very happy and excited with what has happened this year so far! I just started to release my own original songs and the feedback has been great! I am more than happy that people out there like my music! That makes me very proud! 😊

My goal for this year is to at least get a few people to like and support my music as I am an independent artist without any huge label behind my back, which actually makes it harder to reach people. But this has happened and there is much more and bigger things to come. So stay tuned!

Growing up, was music always a big part of your life? Can you recall your first ever musical experience? How do you think having a musical father has influenced your sound?

Yes, music has always been a big part of my life! As my dad is also an artist himself, I have always been accompanying him to his gigs and watched him on stage. He is my main inspiration behind why I wanted to become a singer. He inherited me the love for music and we have always been listening to jazz and pop music at home since I was little.

My first ever musical experience took place when I was about 5 years old. My dad was performing a song called “Hey Amigo Charlie” in which there was a little part which I wanted to sing so badly when I heard the song for the first time. So, we recorded it and ended up performing it together whenever I accompany him to his performances.

Of course my parents, especially my dad have influenced my musical taste. We always would be listening to English music, which is why I fell in love with it and ended up writing in English. But, it is kind of funny because my dad performs in German-Schlager music on stage, which you can compare to country or folk music in America, but this style had never touched me.

What has the biggest surprise so far about making music in your career? Has there been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

That was actually when I got an offer to record a song called “Trendsetter” in 2010 and perform it 2 weeks later at the street parade in Zurich. That was actually the first experience that made me think: “Yes, I am made for this and that is what I want to do for the rest of my life!”

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live today? If you don’t think that it has affected you at all, why is that?

I think everything that I experienced in my life, and every city or village I’ve been to, has affected my and my music. While I still lived at my parents’ house in a tiny little village with only 3,000 inhabitants, I didn’t feel inspired to write music at all because there was nothing happening that I could write about.

This has been also one of the reasons why I wanted to move to Berlin, which ended up being one of the best ideas ever since this city made me and my music develop a lot.

I feel that I need experiences and people around me to write music. I am not that type of artist that is like “I need to be alone and by myself to be creative.” I actually work best in a group with other people, and get the best ideas while talking about my experiences and feelings.

I find it interesting that sometimes musicians choose to go by something other than their own name, so why did you decide to go by your name?

Because I really like my real name and am proud of my last name, as I am happy to continue the legacy of what my dad is doing.

Let’s talk about your new single “Scream My Name.” What was the inspiration for this track? Why did you decide to produce it yourself? How is it representative of where you are heading as an artist? How do you think it compares to anything else that you have released? How is it similar?

“Scream My Name” was written by me, my co-writer Kristine Bogan, and my producer Wassily Gradowsky. We wrote the song in our second session together in the beginning of 2017 just randomly as we were jamming around. When my producer pulled together this sexy beat, it was just so easy for Kristine and myself to come up with the hook for “Scream My Name.” During that time, Kristine was dating a guy, which is where the inspiration came for the song. I always wanted to write sexy and sensual songs, as I think everybody can relate to that since it’s a topic of everybody’s daily life, and not considered as taboo as it once was. I think it’s important that we shouldn’t shy away from talking about this theme, and there’s nothing to condemn.

Sound-wise, I would describe my music as Urban-Pop Music with tinges of R&B, Future-Bass and Dance Elements.

“Scream My Name” is sexy and edgy, and the sound is fits perfectly to all my other songs I have released so far, and the ones I will be releasing soon.

When do you hope to put out more new music and a full collection of new songs?

Soon! We are already planning the next singles for this year and I am working on an album, but will take my time until it is perfect for me. This means it could be a few months or in some years, but will let you know when it is time!

What do you think makes for an ideal show for you? What has been a favorite performance of yours so far? Do you have and upcoming shows this summer?

I love Bruno Mars’ live performances, but unfortunately didn’t get the chance yet to see him live yet, only through YouTube videos or TV. I think you can say it is an ideal show when the vibe between the audience and the artist is magical and the performance is great. Bruno is the perfect blend of that because he is an amazing singer, dancer, writer, and overall musician.

This summer, I have some shows here and there, but I am mainly focused on writing for my project, as well as for other artists projects, so I am spending most of my time in the studio right now.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now, so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period? If you don’t think it is, why is that? Would you say that other musicians are making music that has been influenced by this climate?

To be honest, I didn’t write about many political issues yet. I’ve written some women empowering songs lately that you could maybe count to this topic and “Scream My Name” is one of them, as it is about freedom of sexuality, especially for women.

But I think I will write about some more political issues soon, as there are a few current themes that engages me, and that a lot of people can connect with for sure.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all?

That totally depends on how much I have to do and how I am feeling. There are days when I am feeling amazing, where I love to take a lot of pictures and share my day with people out there. But there are also days when I don’t feel like posting anything at all and I end up doing just that. But I think it’s important to be yourself and to be authentic. Everyone has good and bad days, and it’s okay to let other people know that or not, however you’re feeling. 😉

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys! Those artists were, still are, and will always be one of the biggest and best ones ever.

Ariana Grande is a huge influence for me as well. She is amazing and extraordinarily talented! She is one of my favorite artists that I would like to work with, but there’s also others like Julia Michaels and Zedd.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you?

My piano, as it is the only instrument that I can play. Ha!

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on?

That is a hard question for me as I am barely watching TV, but maybe something like “Desperate Housewives” or “Sex and the City.” I love those series.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music?

Inspiration and that they can identify with it, and feel lifted by it.

Where can our readers connect with you?

Mainly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelinadrewsofficial/