Art & Life with Jessie Munro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Munro.

Jessie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Looking back at the path that’s taken me where I am right now is kind of crazy, and I’m very grateful for all of the experiences thus far. I grew up in Toronto, Canada and got into music young. I started classical voice lessons around 8, and studied both classical and musical theatre until the end of high school (I attended a performing arts high school where I majored in musical theatre). I loved classical and theatre but I was really interested in contemporary music (pop) and wanted to go to Berklee College of Musics’ 5 week summer program the summer before my senior year. My friends and I put together a show to raise money and in doing that I met a Canadian philanthropist and creative arts supporter who offered to sponsor the program. To this day I cannot believe I met this person and am so grateful for the generosity they have shown me.

The summer program really solidified my love of music and performance and I went home driven. At that point I was in my senior year of high school and unsure of what I wanted to do next, I knew my parents wanted me to go to school but I didn’t know where. A friend of mine had told me about this cattle call audition for The Wizard of Oz downtown (cattle call being where you don’t need an agent to get you an audition anyone can go). What I didn’t know at the time was that it was an audition for a reality show that would cast Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and was an Andrew Lloyd Webber production. After a few rounds of auditions I was cast in the American Idol style television program and decided to hold off on school for the year. I was lucky enough to make it to Top 6 and meet and work with some really talented people. It was a truly incredible experience.

After the show was over I got a phone call from the same Canadian philanthropist that had sponsored me for the summer program a few years before. They had been following the show and said that if I was still interested in attending the 4 year degree program at Berklee that I would have support if I was accepted. I didn’t have words at the time and still don’t today. The generosity of this person and the support they have given me has changed the trajectory of my life and ‘thank you’ truly isn’t enough. I attended Berklee College of Music for 4 years where I met my band and the producers and writers that I work with today. I’m now based in LA and am preparing to release an EP at the end of September.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’m about to release my debut EP “On My Own” at the end of September. I’m a singer/songwriter and I write alternative pop with soul/rock production infused with modern elements. I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock as well as artists like Carole King and James Taylor so it was important to me to have the first thing I release share where I came from by using some acoustic instruments. I really wanted the full ‘band’ sound.

With this EP the story line is centered around a break up and all the emotions and obstacles that come with that. I remember listening to Lianne La Havas’ album ‘Blood’ and thinking if I can write music that even one person connects to then I would be totally happy.

Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
I think the biggest piece of advice I could share is to just be yourself. There are a lot of people making great music and sharing great music but the one thing people can’t replicate or take is your identity so just be authentic and figure out what you want to say and share with people. Music is universal and connects so many people, it’s such a gift. I think I’m still figuring out what I want to say but the thought that if I say something that is real to me and maybe even a bit uncomfortable I then have the potential to connect with someone else, that’s pretty cool.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I am available on all streaming services! My single ‘Under Fire’ is out now, and me EP ‘On My Own’ is coming later this month!

You can buy the single on iTunes and will soon be able to buy the EP and some merch! Keep an eye out!

You can find me by typing in Jessie Munro or find me on Instagram @jessieleithmunroc

Contact Info:

• Website: jessiemunro.com
• Email: jessiemunromusic@gmail.com
• Instagram: @jessieleithmunro
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieleithmunro/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessieleith

Image Credit:
Photos by Sandy Rivera @sandiaysol

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