Next week is a huge week for me. On Tuesday I’ll be releasing my new single Beautiful You Are, along with the cover-image of my upcoming album for the very first time. Woo-hoo!! Also, as of next Tuesday my album will be available for pre-order. Holy shit!!! I don’t know that I’ve really even wrapped my mind around all of that yet… This is a big fucking deal in my life!
Two days ago I held my new CD in my hands for the very first time. At the risk of sounding melodramatic–witnessing the package and my work of these last four years in this concrete way was life-altering. This project truly feels different: honest and true unlike ever before. I say that because my knowledge and understanding of myself is on a completely different level now than at any other previous point in my career. And “All songs written by Janita” on the back of the CD–well, that is profoundly gratifying to me. This is a brand new beginning for me, of independence, and of being prolific as an artist. To celebrate this important moment in my life I will be performing my new album, as a preview, in a concert this Thursday.
Through my love of other artists I have understood that if I’m moved by a particular project that they do, I have to jump on seeing them live while they’re still promoting that particular project. Otherwise I might never see them play a specific favorite song again. My idols are often the ones that move on to create music that is quite different from album to album. As an example, The Punch Brothers have just released an album, that literally makes me bawl because of its beauty. There is no way that I will miss their concert while they’re promoting this album! (And in fact, I already have tickets to a concert of theirs coming up..!)
People sometimes come up to me wanting to hear a particular song from my past, and depending on what it is, the chances are that song is no longer in my repertoire. By comparison, Chris Rock is not out there touring, doing the same jokes over and over again every year, is he? Music is different of course than comedy, but there are many similarities too. I personally prefer the artists that deliver a different “punchline” each time. And in my own case, the woman I was when I released Seasons Of Life or Haunted…well, I am much changed from those days already. And quite frankly, I wouldn’t even want to go back. I am thrilled to be where I am at this very moment.
Any album may be around “forever”, but the artist, or a particular version of that artist will not. I regret to have missed certain heroes of mine at my preferred points in their careers, for I know now that these are missed opportunities that won’t present themselves again. But I’m glad to know what I know now, so I can try to catch as many of my most beloved artists live as I can.
Which brings me to this. The roll-out of this album is a unique and unforgettable point in my career, and through the examples I mentioned before I understand how precious it is. I invite you to share the specialness of this moment with me next week on Tuesday as my single is released, and again on Thursday as I perform an intimate concert at Rockwood Music Hall, stage 3, at 7pm. I’ll try to remember as I live through this special week, to relish every moment. None of them will ever come again.
JANITA :: The Official Blog 
I’m really excited about the new album and wish so badly that I could attend the show.
While, I think it’s important to live in the present and look ahead to where you’re going, it’s also important to never forget the path you took to get there.
I first fell in love with your music when I heard Seasons of Life. I really loved Haunted and took notice of the change.
Seasons of Life and Haunted are very different from one another and I enjoy them both. I listen to them based on what kind of mood I’m in or what kind of day I’m having. Having been a fan for nearly a decade, there’s no doubt in my mind that I will love the new album but I won’t stop listening to the older ones.
In my opinion, it’s not a negative thing if someone wants to hear a song from one of your previous albums. In fact, I think it speaks volumes to how talented an artist you are that your fans love your different styles of music.
I can’t help but feel a little panicked at the thought that you may not ever perform any of your old songs any longer.
But that’s just my opinion. You gotta do what makes you happy.
I really am excited to buy your new album.
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Hey Janita, I’m so excited to see that there’s some new music coming. I’m still your biggest fan in the D.C.-Balt area. We traded some emails back in 2006 and you were even kind enough to send me an autographed CD. I hope you remember me. I am still looking forward to seeing you perform live, so come see us in the Nations Capital in 2015.
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Good luck with the new music and your new life! It’s never easy to go trough a big changes in life but it’s inspiring if you can at the same time find new things inside of you and try to get to know yourself better. All the best!
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