Seattle-Based Singer JESSICA DOMINGO Discusses How She Has Musicially Grown, Her Biggest Inspirations and More!

Meet the Seattle-based Alternative R&B/Pop artist Jessica Domingo.

She came out with a new EP Moonplay last year and she currently has over 55k subscribers and videos with hundreds of thousands, and even millions of views.

Connect With Jessica here:

https://www.jessicadomingo.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jessicadomingomusic

https://twitter.com/jessicaadomingo

https://www.youtube.com/jessicaadomingo

http://instagram.com/jessicaadomingo

Learn more about Jessica Domingo in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! How has 2017 been treating you? Musically, did you approach this year any differently then you did last year? 

Thank you for having me! This year I’ve mainly been learning how the music business works and self-managing, releasing, booking, and promoting is a huge learning experience. It’s different from last year because I actually now have the time to “DIY” as a full-time artist, and since then, I’m always be finding ways to push myself and my music.

Where does this interview find you today? Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it? What kind of music do you listen to when you are working? What music gets you instantly out of a bad mood?

I’m one of those people that have to sit down at my desk with no distraction and no music in order to be fully attentive to an interview or even just to respond to people via Internet or text! However, I can definitely listen to some relaxing instrumental music whether it’s just guitar or a jazz cafe playlist. When I’m working on visual projects or seeking inspiration, I like to listen to R&B classics or a chill and mellow playlist. I always find hidden gems through Spotify/YouTube/SoundCloud. 

The music that instantly gets me out of a bad mood, especially as of recently is actually yoga music. I always feel extremely relaxed and calmed when I listen to uplifting yoga/meditation music.

Growing up, have you always wanted to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

Yes! I’ve always wanted to be a musician, but of course, as a kid I had many, many aspirations. My earliest musical memory was singing karaoke during the celebrations that my family would throw in our basement. My dad had a machine and would always let my cousins and I choose our favorite songs and I just remember being so excited to look through the karaoke book.

If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing?

There are either 2 things that are a huge possibility: Something in film – whether it’s a director or editor because that is something I’ve been doing for fun since I owned a camera at 11 years old OR something in business – owning some sort of company (maybe even in the food industry because I’m a huge foodie!).

I’d also most likely own a blog and be a YouTube vlogger.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think Seattle has affected who you are as a musician and the art that you create?

I think Seattle has affected me by its diversity of music with so many great artists. We definitely have the classic alternative rock/grunge scene going on with the influences of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters. But we also have a hip hop scene that blew up from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. And a few indie bands such as Death Cab for Cutie, The Head and the Heart, and Minus the Bear.

My ears have been blessed with good music all around my city. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve found my sound through being open to listening to different music and making it my own.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you released your EP “Moonplay” last September? What has remained the same? Do you think if you went into the studio today to record an EP, it would be similar or completely different to “Moonplay”?

Ever since I released Moonplay, I feel like I’ve grown so much during the process and to be honest, I feel like nothing remained the same since then. The whole project was about finding my sound with my producer, Jesse Barrera. I came into the studio with an idea of how I wanted my music to feel and sound, but I had yet to find my voice. Everything was trial and error but it worked out exactly how I wanted it to. Working in the JB cave helped me feel music in a different perspective. It made me look at myself in a new way as an artist as well because I began to feel comfortable about writing what I actually feel and experience. The EP still has vague interpretations, but it was enough for me to unveil my emotions.

If I were to be in a studio today to record an EP, I think it would depend on what producer I work with because everything always changes but of course, it would still have to feel like me. I think Moonplay EP has so many diverse elements that could still feel like a sister of one of the songs. As of lately, I have been definitely open to more sounds though.

Are you currently working on new music? When do you hope to release new songs?

Yes! I am currently working on new music. I plan to release a single sometime in September and a whole new project next year.

What do you think of social media these days and using it to stay connected to fans? Are you good about updating all your sites?

I think it’s an important platform for artists to stay connected to fans especially if they’re from another timezone and if you’re not on tour.

I’m pretty consistent with my updates, I must say.

What are your plans for the rest of the summer? Do you have any tour dates currently lined up?

I plan on uploading more on YouTube. Unfortunately, no tour dates quite yet!

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

Amy Winehouse, Aaliyah, Sade, and Norah Jones are musicians that I’ve always admired since day 1. A musician I would love to work with in the future would have to be Kendrick Lamar.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

My music could be interpreted in any way they personally feel. There’s not really a true message but I do hope it’s something they can relate to.

What advice would you give to someone just getting started on this music path? Or even to someone young that is thinking of becoming a musician one day?

Be your own biggest supporter. To always be there for themselves. Your own confidence, beliefs, and self love will get you to become anything you want to be.