Today on our Hot Seat we have Jessica May with us. She has impressed even with her very first song ‘Curvy Queen’. Let’s have a chat with her.
Twist Online : Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Jessica May : Hi, My name is Jessica May. By day I am the hard working single mother of three beautiful (and challenging) children. Once I have the kids all tucked in and my day job is over, I work on my music. I am what is referred to as an Indie artist, which means that I don’t fit any particular genre of music or that I record and perform in multiple genres. It has only been a little over a year since I decided to take out my notebook full of songs and let others actually hear them, and it has been quite a year!
Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
Jessica May : I have always loved to sing. I performed in talent shows all over in my younger days and in high school I was voted “Most likely to appear on Apollo” at our senior banquet and I also sang our class graduation song. Also, I have always written songs and music as a form of therapy, it is my way of getting things out. Due to some extreme circumstances, I quit singing right after high school. I went to college, got married, and became a parent. My responsibilities kept me busy and sidetracked me from my love for music. It wasn’t until after my separation from my husband that I became the photographer for On Top Entertainment. I was taking pictures of artists at their shows, on trips, and while recording. It was at this time that I started writing again and my love for music was reignited. It took me several years to actually put it into motion and record a song, but I think I am proving that it is never too late to pursue your dreams and do what you love.
Twist Online : Your song “Curvy Queen” gave you the name and the fame as well. You must be excited with the response?
Jessica May : Yes! As soon as I wrote “Curvy Queen”, I began using it as a hashtag on all of my posts. I performed it only once and everyone started calling me Curvy Queen. It has very quickly become my new name, and I won’t lie, I love it! The whole idea behind the song is being empowered, owning your size, and being proud of who you are. I feel like this song has even empowered me as an artist and that the message I was putting out there was for myself as much as everyone else. I am thrilled that it has been embraced so well!
Twist Online : Any plans of releasing the video for the track?
Jessica May : Yes!! Being that I am “Jessica May”, I have sort of claimed the month of May. The goal is to release not only the video for “Curvy Queen”, but to release an EPK as well!
Twist Online : What do you enjoy more performing on stage or working in studios?
Jessica May : That is a hard Twist Online! I enjoy both equally I think. Recording is when you get to be creative and try different things to see how they sound. I love the process of walking in with my words on a piece of paper and walking out having those words in a song and the excitement of anticipating sharing this new masterpiece with the public. I love performing because that is when you finally get to share all of that work with everyone else! Even better is when you have performed it a few times and audience members know your song well enough to sing along!
Twist Online : What’s your favorite music genre?
Jessica May : R&B, but the old school version of R&B from the 80’s and 90’s when it was about love, passion, and told a story.
Twist Online : Have you set some goals to achieve as a music artist?
Jessica May : Yes. All artists should set goals for themselves, it is what keeps us moving forward. I set a series of goals rather than one large goal. Releasing my music video and an EPK is my current goal, and once I have succeeded in doing this there will be something else to work towards. I guess my ultimate goal is too keep achieving the goals I set for myself, keep moving forward, and see just how far it can bring me.
Twist Online : Are you working on any new project?
Jessica May : Yes! I cannot delve into details as of yet, but I am particularly excited to get my newest recorded song out there. It is my first “club banger” and I just know it is going to be so fun to perform. Also, recently I and my #CurvyCrew members have been sponsored by an amazing clothing line out of New Orleans representing their “Durdy Souf” clothing line and I am excited to see what comes of it! My #CurvyCrew has also come together quite nicely, and each of them has been putting in work for me and with me daily! Now that my support team is complete, I feel like the sky is the limit for us.
Twist Online : Are you active on social media? What’s the best way to follow you online?
Jessica May :Yes! I am quite active indeed! You can follow me on Twitter @jessicamay_82 or Facebook @Jessica May or Instagram @curvyqueen_jmay and you can follow my vlogs on youtube @Curvy Queen Vlogs.