Today we’d like to introduce you to Auntie Jo.
Hi Auntie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, I am Auntie Jo. Human first, Artist second. Creating is as natural to me as breath is to the body; I don’t have to think about it, I just do it. It flows through me. Thanks to my mom, I was introduced to the arts from a very young age. I started piano lessons at age 5 and took my first ballet class around age 6. I picked up a guitar at age 11, inspired by a first time viewing of Purple Rain. The Computer Blue solo did me in. I was introduced to string bass in my middle school orchestra the same year. I wrote my first poem at age 12 and used to compete in literary competitions across my county. These competitions essentially were me choosing a poem, memorizing it, and then reciting it in front of a group of judges. I placed a couple of times. That was such a cool experience. At age 13, I want to say that was the first time I sat down and wrote a poem that I would consider something to be proud of. I remember being mesmerized by my own words after reading them back. I couldn’t believe those words came from my mind and out of my own mouth. My love for poetry grew through my highschool years and laid the foundation for rap. I want to say the first time I realized rapping was what I wanted to do was the first time I ever listened to Aquemini. Being born and raised in Atlanta, OutKast’s music was always ingrained in the city’s finger and footprint, and like many others, I was touched by it. They were played everywhere. The first time Aquemini touched my ears was when I was 14 years old. I still remember the chills I felt when I heard Liberation for the first time. That feeling stuck with me, and from that very moment, I knew that I wanted my music to make people feel the way their music made me feel. I believe I wrote my first rap at age 16 to a ripped beat from Youtube. I still have it on my Soundcloud (private, of course), for all of the humbling purposes in the world. Since then, I haven’t put down the pen. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon either.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
We’d never be able to fully cherish the sunshine if we didn’t experience the rain. A smooth road, not in the slightest. I tend to deal with debilitating, crippling anxiety and self-doubt. Self-doubt mixed with a perfectionist mentality is a recipe for procrastination and a ton of incomplete ideas. My biggest obstacle is getting out of my own way, simply put. Trusting myself, believing in myself. Not succumbing to imposter syndrome. Trusting my creative mind.
Outside of myself, another obstacle I’d say I’ve encountered is coming across genuine people with honest intentions. Genuine people that truly believe in your art enough to want to actively listen to it, share it, and support it. Not because they want your support for theirs in return. The music business can be cutthroat, and I don’t have a combative spirit to deal with the type of negativity that can present itself. It’s something that actively keeps me in my hermit modes. I’m learning how to navigate my intuition so that I can better navigate the world around me. The best person to rely on is YOURSELF.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I want people to know that my music is not something you’ll ever be able to expect, so please don’t come into your listening experience with expectations. I am influenced by so many genres of music, and it reflects in my music A LOT! I have songs that sound like Future ghost wrote them, while also having songs that would make Left Eye and Lil Kim proud. You catch my drift? I do what I want in my music and if you are a multifaceted being, you will enjoy it! It’s for this reason that any person that is attracted to me and my energy as an artist is attracted to the most authentic part of themselves because that’s what my music reflects. I am so proud of that.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I learned how to be patient with myself and my artistry more. When the pandemic first started and everyone was quarantined, making music changed for me drastically. I hadn’t realized how much I was rushing through songs and ideas with no real direction. How impatient I was with myself. Being in the house all day and sitting with my music all day with nowhere to go, it taught me how to trust and enjoy the process more. I really appreciate that a lot.
Contact Info:
- Email: yoauntiejo@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/yoauntiejo
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/yoauntiejo
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/8nThkuZWmgGAGNJM8
Image Credits
Calla McGinty
