Since we're in the final stages of this year's installment of "American Idol," its easy for many people to forget that real musicians actually create their own songs and write their own music. We also forget what real musicianship and artistry sounds like. With her brilliant debut cd "Beyond the Frame," Jennifer Lee reminds us.

RocketGirls.net describes Jennifer's work as "a cross of Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan, and Fiona Apple." Many women who park themselves in front of a piano draw the inevitable Tori and Fiona comparisons. Not all deserve it. However, Jennifer is right on par with both. And, by no means is her work derivative - Jennifer has a unique sound and style all her own. Her songwriting delves into highly personal matters ranging from rape to religion and captures your attention right from Frame's opening chords. The emotional outpouring continues through all the tracks with terrific piano playing and soulful singing that makes Jennifer an artist to watch in 2005 and beyond.

Jennifer is enjoying live performances at some of Southern California's hottest clubs and her song "Morphine" is garnering spins on XM Radio's "Station 52." In between shows, we managed to catch up with this budding star and get some insight into her background, songwriting and career.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in West Virginia. Very rural. The closest neighbors were my grandparents, and they were a mile away. I miss the quietness of the country, but I have always been a city girl at heart. I'm drawn to the energy of the city, at the same time I sleep with earplugs in at night.

When did you start playing the piano?

I was drawn to the piano since I can remember. I was probably 4 when I sat down and found the notes that formed familiar songs that I knew. My grandma's house was a music mecca - they did Christian radio sermons with grandma playing the Hammond organs, piano, and singing hymns, and recorded them in their house. I started taking lessons when I was 7, and I play by ear, so it was very hard for me to learn to read. I wanted my teacher to play the song for me, then I would piece it together, and after a couple of tries, I could play it from memory. Essentially I am self-taught. It took years for me to just play like no one was watching.


When did you write your first song?

I was twelve, and I entered this talent showcase at the West Virginia State Fair. I wanted to do something special, and playing the piano was what I knew best. I had a small keyboard - so I wrote my first song called "Never Ending Road." My best friend and I sang it on stage as a duet. We practiced all summer. I have a copy of it on tape. My grandparents who had the recording ensemble, recorded it to tape back then as a present to my other grandfather to play in his truck because he had trouble staying awake on the road on his way home from the farm at night. I thought it would be neat to make him this personalized tape with me playing my keyboard. It covered everything from Beethoven's "Fur Elise" to Mozart's "Turkish March" and my first composed song with me singing the vocals. There was no overdubbing and no editing. It was a straight shot. I did pretty well. It is a nice memory. My grandfather had the tape in the cassette player in his truck when he died.

You composed all the songs and lyrics on your CD, what are your writing inspirations?

This album is very autobiographical. It is 20 years of pent up. I grew up poor, I wasn't the pretty girl, I developed breasts and pubic hair very late - which that is the time when you want your goody package to emerge. I was teased, I was the nice, naïve kid with the big heart, and I defined everyone in terms of myself, which is such a cruel thing to do to yourself - even as an adult. I was sexually assaulted at 15. I lived in Los Angeles for awhile, and experienced some very interesting people, to say the least, who affected me - some good and some bad. This album has had a lot to do with self-discovery and uncovering pieces of myself that had been locked up for years. I needed to understand what was causing me to not want to be myself. I have healed and learned so much about myself making "Beyond the Frame." I had to strip away the boundaries, get real with myself. This album reflects these changes because it was written over the course of 4 years. It does seem, however, just when you heal one wound, another comes creeping out. I am on a constant quest for wisdom and knowledge, so I know that will inspire my future albums.


What's the influence for the name "Beyond the Frame?"

"Beyond the Frame" is about stripping away boundaries; cutting through all of the bullshit - societal, cultural, traditional and self-inflicted, and taking an honest look at who you are. It is not easy to see the truth. But, as the old cliché goes, the truth shall set you free. It really does. I always say if you know anyone in this life, it had better be yourself - because in the end, when everyone else is "busy" or turns on you, or dies, you are alone, and you have to love yourself. And in order to love yourself, you have to know and respect yourself. Self-loathing doesn't cut it long term. You have to save yourself. This is what "Beyond the Frame" is about. We are all beyond what people see (our proverbial frame - our looks, our image, our superficial survival mode), some of us are just better at hiding it, and some of us never want to see it. There is always a story behind everyone that most people never get to see, and these experiences/stories are what mold us as humans. Each little moment can mold us. So, the more in tune you are with yourself, you can be very aware of what you want to take a little of, and what you should run from. Self discovery, finding your own voice, and staying true to oneself is key.

Where did you record it?

I recorded the basic instrumentation (piano, drums and bass) at Studio Litho in Seattle, WA. I have my own Protools and Gigasampler setup, so I recorded all of my vocals and string arrangements at my home studio in San Diego. Impressionist Records is my own label.

Who are your musical influences?

There are many. I grew up listening to old country, and those songs for the most part are sad and depressing - but they tap into true emotions. Even today I have such a fondness for Dolly, Tammy, Johnny, Loretta and Willie. I have always been drawn to singer/songwriters, and those artists who write about reality. But it wasn't until college, I started to discover the true musical geniuses that walked into my heart and made their mark: Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Beatles and Nirvana. The predominant female influences are Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan, but there are many others in various genres. I have to say that these artists write/wrote from their hearts, and sing/sang about what is real or what moves them with such intensity and passion, regardless of what anyone might think. No boundaries. This is truly what making art is about - then we can go back to my album title "Beyond the Frame" - going beyond boundaries. They write it for themselves, and if someone else happens to enjoy it, then great. That is how I write and compose. I write what I want to hear. If a song moves me to tears or just lights me up with fire when I write it, it goes on the album. This is my ultimate litmus test. These artists have moved me to tears; they have made me think; and they have lit my fires. Great music is so powerful. It just transcends space and time.

What's in your CD player or iPod right now?

You name it. From Madonna to Opera; PJ Harvey to Vince Guaraldi and everything in between.

Any singers we might not have heard yet that you'd recommend?

Elbow. Though they are very popular in Great Britain and are becoming more so here in the US, they are a really great listen. A mellow and creative sound. A sort of Radiohead meets Coldplay - but entirely their own sound.

If you could duet with anyone (current or past) who would it be?

This is a tough one. Probably Kurt Cobain.

What's your favorite part of performing live?

Everything. I get to give myself, and in return, I get to receive this sense of fulfillment from being able to do what I love in life, and love from the people who are immersing themselves in what I am singing about each night. Even if I get through to only one person on a particular night, that is what it is all about - moving people; letting them inside you; and giving them something to walk out of the door with that night that they didn't walk in with.

Jennifer plays Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles at 8pm on April 25th.