Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonatha Brooke
Hi Jonatha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Songwriting was somewhat of a surprise. I’d always sung, played the guitar. I was always in the choir, musical, a cappella group in school. But I was mostly a hardcore modern dancer. Then, I took a composition course my sophomore year of college and everything changed. I was an English Major, but became consumed by songwriting and performing. I was finally the boss of my own songs. I invested them with my own stories, threading my off kilter sense of harmony and dissonance into them. I choreographed melodies and lyrics.
After college, I juggled my dance career and singing for a while, but by 1991 I’d gotten a record deal with Elektra and didn’t look back.
After 4 major label releases and 10 on my own independent label Bad Dog Records, I’m a veteran! But I’ve earned a faceted perspective. I know what I’m doing. And I’m in good company.
Lately I’ve broadened into musical theater (didn’t see THAT coming)
But after caring for my mother for her last two years (Alzheimer’s), I wrote a one woman musical play ,”My Mother has 4 Noses,” that became a Critic’s Pick – Off Broadway, and theater beckoned me in.
Now I have three musicals on the front burners, I’m touring as much as I can, I’m teaching songwriting 3-4 times a year, and hoping to record a new record in early 2025.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest struggle is re-calibrating time and again. After my last major label release, “Ten Cent Wings,” and a shuffle in the hierarchy, I was dropped. Even as a song was rising the charts at triple A radio, there was no one left at the company to champion my career. It was rough. But that’s when I took over. I started Bad Dog Records. Obviously I did not have the deep pockets of Universal Records (that’s the re-calibrating part!), but my fans didn’t care which label I was on, they just wanted music.
“Steady Pull” was our first indie release and we did a better job than Universal – we were on Letterman, Conan, etc… and had a top 5 song in “Linger.” After that we never regretted taking the reins.
My husband and I are still the “mom and pop” team running the show. The challenges are mostly financial. No more 250k budgets, no budget for a full time marketing team. But making our own decisions and sleeping soundly at night makes it all worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think my songwriting is what is most unique about me. It’s not quite folk, more towards pop, but it’s complex. Harmonically it surprises even veteran musicians, and the melodies are definitely NOT easy. I’m still drawn to dissonance, unusual changes. I’m drawn to counterpoint, and heady lyrics.
I’m also known for my guitar tunings, and the way I play. It is definitely unique. You know it’s me the moment the song starts.
Finally, I guess my stage presence is pretty entertaining. That’s been really important to me – to connect, to make every person in that audience feel like I’m talking/singing to THEM. That grew out of craving that very thing as a fan. I want to feel special! So I want you to feel special when you’re in that seat.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Ouf. I wish I had ANY idea at all. The CD is gone. Streaming is everywhere. On the one hand it’s great, you can get any artist, any song, any where, any time on any device.
BUT, making a living?? Harder and harder. A million streams of a song trickle down to at best a few bucks. That is not rent kind of dough.
It is disillusioning, I can’t tell a lie. How do I afford to make the next thing? How do I actually reach the people that want to hear it? The pressure of keeping up with Social Media algorithms is daunting and a bit like a hamster wheel.
So, I think the shift will be for each of us to keep re-calibrating to find those soft niches that fuel us spiritually, soulfully. To prioritize things that fuel our creativity in healthy ways.
I truly believe that if you keep making great work, it will find its own way. And it starts with the song. No song? No future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jonathabrooke.com
- Instagram: @jonathabrooke
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jonathabrooke
- Twitter: @jonathabrooke
- Youtube: @jonathabrooke
Image Credits
Linda Hansen: studio shots 1 and 2.
Live shots JONAH VAN BEMMELEN
last shot bowing: Lydia Hutchinson
