“It’s about embracing resilience as you navigate the challenges of growing up and adulthood,’ Amsterdam-based country-pop artist Jana Mila introduces her debut album ‘Chameleon,’ out today via New West Records. After writing songs for over 10 years, ‘Chameleon’ represents a significant milestone in Mila’s career.
As she returns from a 6-week-long promoting trip in the US, Mila catches up with Noctis. She says, “it was a dream come true” to perform songs across the pond. Excited for what’s to come, ‘Chameleon’ also represents her personal quest to find a better version of herself, also described as “her self-portrait.”
Mila’s initial instinct was to rebel against music, as it dominated every conversation in her household. With the child-like draw of curiosity, she picked up the guitar, and after a few lessons, she was hooked. Originally wanting to be a novelist, Mila found songwriting ‘to be a more efficient and immediate way to share her ideas and emotion.’
To unlock her ability to be vulnerable in her songwriting, Mila had to build her confidence by performing and letting go of perfectionism. The key was realizing that being authentic and connecting with people is more important than trying to fit into a big star persona.
Reflecting on her younger self, who wrote ‘Chameleon,’ Mila shares words of wisdom: “Learn to find comfort and companionship within yourself.” Read our full interview with Jana Mila below, in which she talks about her early days, her biggest supporter, and her writing trip to Nashville.
What do you feel listening back to the tracks on ‘Chameleon’? What advice would you give the Jana who wrote those songs?
The advice I would give to the Jana who wrote those songs is to stop bending yourself to match everyone else’s expectations. Learn to find comfort and companionship within yourself, and trust that staying true to who you are will attract the right people into your life. And when it comes to relationships – whether its love or friendship; Learn to recognize who’s worth the fight and who isn’t—sometimes, letting go is the most empowering choice you can make.
What would you say are the prevailing underlying messages of the record?
The underlying message of this album would be about embracing resilience as you navigate the challenges of growing up and adulthood. Finding out who you are, who other people are and dealing with that. Not everything is within your control, and no matter how hard you try to grasp onto people or meet their expectations, not everyone is meant to remain in your life, even if you try your hardest.
What were the biggest takeaways about yourself from the recording process of ‘Chameleon’?
I discovered that sometimes the first take captures the raw, authentic emotion because you’re still deeply connected to what you’re singing. If you are focussing on imperfections and eliminating them, sometimes that will filter out your unique sound. I could feel nervous at times, especially If I felt like the song was vocally challenging, but being in a comfortable environment where I felt liberated allowed me to truly express myself. Todd Lombardo (the producer of the album) really created this safe space for me.
How was it growing up in such a musical household?
When I first picked up a guitar, it was out of curiosity. Because music has been such a big part of my life since I was little, and the entire household was always talking about it, I wanted to rebel against it, like kids do. I would be annoyed because every conversation was always about music. But eventually, my curiosity won and my mom gave me a couple guitar lessons as a present. I immediately started writing songs and skipped my homework of practicing covers and scales, until I was just as passionate about music as the rest of my family, though I am the only songwriter. They really encouraged me to do what I am doing now, I never felt like I was a very expressive or extraverted kid, but my parents really recognised my music and believed in it. That lead me to take my first steps as a musician and bringing my music to the world.
Instead of joining the rest of the family and dreaming of a music career, you first dabbled with being a novelist and writing prose. Was it your own form of rebellious expression or do you think you had to find your own way to being a singer/songwriter?
I initially dreamed of becoming a novelist. It never felt like I was rebelling, it more like a genuine attempt to express the myriad of storylines constantly swirling in my head. But I quickly realized that writing a whole book required a patience I didn’t quite have, when I started playing guitar those chords became the soundtrack to those stories and songwriting proved to be a far more efficient and immediate way to share my ideas and emotions. Every verse could be a chapter.
What or who motivated you to enter the local contest of young songwriters?
I played one of the first songs I ever wrote in music class to my music teacher, who was extremely thrilled about it. He was always very supportive of people exploring their passion for music, even more so if they were writing their own song. The song I played was Rosie, and I felt very vulnerable singing it in front of my classmates. Later that day my music teacher told me he signed me up for a music contest, and that I was scheduled to perform the song the next day. I ended up winning that contest. (I don’t think I would’ve been brave enough to sign up for it all by myself).
What were the steps and obstacles you had to overcome to feel ready to be vulnerable in your songwriting and unleash your own experiences?
At first I had to overcome being a perfectionist, I would be so self aware as a teenager that being on a stage would only make that worse. But as I performed more I started training that muscle of confidence, and I found out that that being true to myself and connecting with people on a personal level was more important than trying to fit a big star persona. You don’t have to do or say anything because you think people are expecting you to. At first I was afraid being vulnerable would make me seem weak, now I know its actually a very empowering thing to do and it will only bring you closer to your audience.
In terms of owning their authenticity, what artists inspire you the most?
People like Joni Mitchel, Sheryl Crow, Madison Cunningham really inspire me because of their remarkable authenticity and genuine stage presence. Their ability to remain true to themselves while captivating audiences with their realness and originality is incredibly inspiring and reminds me of the power of being genuine in both music and performance.
In June 2022, you went to Nashville for a two-week long songwriting trip. What did this collaborative experience teach you about the artist you wanted to be and you became?
I had been writing a lot on my own all those years before, so I didn’t really know what to expect. But when I started writing with songwriters in Nashville I felt like they were very open and attentive, truly listening to who you are and your ideas. I would bring my own ideas and themes and they would grasp onto it. I was very impressed by their efficient way of songwriting, how quick they could be. When I write on my own, I usually put something on paper and then take a shower or go for a bike ride and write some more. But these songwriters are fully concentrated and dedicated, if you’d started a song you would not leave the room without finishing it. That really taught me something about discipline.
What were some of the highlights of this trip?
Writing and hanging with Jeff Trott was very special, I’ve been a big fan of Sheryl Crow and Jeff co-wrote the song ‘If it makes you happy”, which I had been blasting for a couple years already. He was a great guy who immediately made me feel comfortable and welcome. Also, meeting Todd Lombardo and writing ‘love let go’ and ‘Chameleon’ was basically where everything started. After I recorded a demo with Todd Lombardo, hearing him play guitar and capturing my vocals just how I wanted it, I was so impressed by him I knew he was the right guy for producing my debut album.
What are your favorite songs to listen to when walking aimlessly in Amsterdam?
Madison Cunningham – Life According to Raechel
Wilco – If i Ever Was a Child
The Staves – Good Woman
JJ cale – After Midnight
Rodriguez – inner City Blues
Sheryl Crow – Leaving Las Vegas
How will you celebrate the album release?
I will probably throw a party the night of my release with my friends, like we did a couple years ago when my first single ‘When Times Get Rough’ was released. My friends are very supportive and follow me every step of the way, so its extra special to celebrate something I’ve been working on for such a long time with them!
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Words: Karolina Kramplova