Jo Davidson Interview

The Facts

Name: Jo Davidson

Birth Date: Ohio

Her Big Break: Debut album Kiss Me There [2001]

Before She Was Famous: Jo started her own label/publishing company called Fragile Tough Girl Records

How did you get yourself out there in the music business? What's the story behind becoming Jo Davidson, a recording artist?
Jo Davidson: I have been playing the piano since I was four. I have been writing my own songs since I was 11. I grew up in Ohio and then moved to L.A. to pursue a career in music. I met some industry people when I was attending a class at UCLA. From there, I met my manager, Tommy Manzi.

Any specific artist you would like to work with in the future?
I would love to work with Aimee Mann, Alanis Morrisette or even Coldplay.

What CDs are in your player right now?
I have Aimee Mann, The Magnolia Soundtrack, Heather Eatman, Macy Gray, and Miles Davis.

What are you going to be doing in the next couple of months?
I just returned from doing festivals in Tampa and St. Louis. In the next few weeks, I will be in NYC, Boston, Albany, Detroit and Memphis.

Fame comes along with alot of negative perspectives, for example lack of privacy. How do you plan on handling such things?
I try to handle things as they come and not worry about what's ahead. That only creates stress.

You have a very distinct sound, unlike most solo female artists. Was this the kind of music you wanted to make all along or did it evolve once you were in the studio?
We are all unique when we are being ourselves. It's when we try to copy others too much that we lose our spark. So I take it as a compliment that you say I have a distinct sound.

I don't have to prove anything. My music speaks for itself.

You mention New York City in more than one song. Any specific reason why you chose New York City?
Because I live there.

What sort of things influences you when it comes to songwriting?
Everything influences me. As writers, we are influenced by everything around us. People we meet, music we hear, and the experiences that happen to us.

Is there a particular message you are trying to send out to your listeners through your music?
I think it's to hold onto hope in the tough times. To bend instead of breaking.

What made you decide to be so personal with your songs? Do you ever feel that you are being a little bit too personal with your listeners?
Being personal is the only way I know how to write. That's how I express my feelings and let everything out of me. It keeps me sane when I write.

Is your family supportive of your music career?
They are very supportive of what I do.

Being blonde, female, and a solo artist in today's music scene usually gets you labeled into the "Britney Spears" category. How are you planning to prove that you aren't just another pop-singing blonde?
I don't have to prove anything. My music speaks for itself.

What has been you most awkard moment?
My show this past week in St. Louis, a guy came up to the stage and asked me to sign his chest. [Laughs] I was like "Maybe later." [Laughs] But it was a little awkward.

What do you think you will be doing in the the next two years?
Supporting myself through my records, making music, performing as much as possible and hopefully producing records for other artists. That's what I see myself doing.