A LIFE FOUND.
THE NEED TO FIND ONE'S SELF IS A COMMON THREAD IN A LOT OF MUSIC, AND IT WAS MUSIC THAT HELPED ONE LOCAL ARTIST FIND HERSELF, AND INEVITABLY THE SPOTLIGHT TO FIND HER.
When Jenny Peterson took her first piano lesson in fifth grade, she did not fathom she was beginning the journey down the path to who she would become. Even before that first piano lesson, she would sing and write songs, serenading her three older brothers .
"When I was little, I used to just sing; just make up songs. They were pretty bad." she says with a laugh and a non-chalant roll of the eyes
Piano lessons were her introduction into music, but it wasn't until she took up violin in the sixth grade that her love for music took hold. After becoming genuinely involved in the middle-school orchestra, she added choir and guitar to her musical itinerary.
"I went through so many different phases in the beginning; but it's okay, it all helped me grow as a musician."
Although she continued to play multiple instruments she focused on and now performs mainly with her guitar, vocal and songwriting skills. When she began to play guitar in eighth grade was when she made her first serious attempts at writing songs, and the dream of becoming a performer began to surface.
"I always wanted to be a performer but I didn't ever see it actually happening. " Peterson said.
Although an outwardly shy girl, all insecurity fades when she takes the stage with a clear confidence, and an air of joyful passion that is projected through every note that she sings. She now enjoys sharing her music with others—whether it be MySpace, or live performances; but that is a sizable improvement from when she began.
"Before, [recent breakout] I wouldn't even tell people I could play instruments, let alone show them my songs. It wasn't until last year when one of my friends helped book me my first show that things really turned around."
After revealing her stripped-down acoustic melodies and honest lyrics to a welcoming local music scene they began gaining Peterson plenty of attention. Now booking three or more gigs per month at some noted venues such as the Depot, the Red Sea, and the Acadia Café in Minneapolis, the difference in self-belief from when she started is beginning to ascend — the popular venues being a big step up from her at- home shows, less than a year ago, open to family and friends exclusively.
Her songwriting is inspired by a variety of artists; variety being something she holds to be an important part of her music.
"Some of my biggest influences right now are Keane, Dashboard Confessional, The Hush Sound and lately I've been really into Brandi Carlile. Her songs are so well-written. Back in the day[laugh], I used to listen to a lot of Jewel and Avril [Lavigne]. But I listen to all types of music. It's good to listen to a lot of different types of music then decide what you like and let that be your influence."
While these artists influence her musically, they also inspire her desire to take the stage.
"When I see other people on stage, whether it's a local act or a huge band, it just makes me want to get up there and do it too; and now, It's nice to know that I can."
Not only is her music getting out through frequent performances, she is also beginning to gain some valuable MySpace fame.
"My plays have been going up by day; and I get multiple friend requests everyday. It's really awesome" she says.
Now that her passion for music has given more than she could've imagined, Peterson doesn't plan on slowing down any time soon.
"Right now I'm just working on mostly promotional stuff-- perfecting my songs and writing new ones, putting a press pack together, keeping up on MySpace, and of course playing as many shows as I possibly can."
It's likely that her success is the product of hours of finger-blistering practice. She practices a countless amount of hours, even composing an entire song for her high school orchestra teacher, between being a full-time UMN student and a varsity tennis player. With a life full of fervor, Peterson is not about to forget how music has shaped her life.
"Right now, I see myself as a local artist but I know I will always be doing it. Whether I make a career as a performer or not, I will still be performing and writing songs. Music will always be a huge part of my life. It has helped me become a more confident person; it's a part of me, of who I am. I love music… it's me."
You can check out Jenny with show dates, locations, and music at www.myspace.com/jennypeterson
--Jill Johnson, Staff Writer, Salmagundi
