Following her debut single “Paper Crown”, singer/songwriter Leah Jane has just released her newest single titled “Scarlett Letter”. It is one of the best songs I’ve heard this year so far. I believe this record can become one of those timeless records. Leah Jane has such a unique tone, it’s easy to fall in love with her vocals. The production is incredible. “Scarlett Letter” is just perfect.

Leah Jane will be releasing her first EP this Summer. Stay tuned.

“Scarlett Letter” is now available worldwide.

Photo credit: @zeikgraphic // Assisted by @heyiamnadia

Hi Leah, how are you? What's your story?

Hey! I’m great, very busy, which I’m grateful for. I’m tired, I won’t lie, but happy I have good people around me to support me. I grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Home is a special place, and music is a big part of the culture – people come together and have kitchen parties and honor the people they love with it. It’s embedded in me to this day, that music is something that brings people together. I have a really good support system at home, my family and friends have always been so encouraging. I always knew I wanted to be an artist of some kind, but it started when I heard “Teardrops on My Guitar” by Taylor Swift. I would write songs on my bedroom floor, and be all dramatic about it. But, It took some time to find exactly how I wanted to go about becoming an artist. I began auditioning for school musicals and inevitably fell in love with it and started performing. Although music was my first love, I blossomed into a huge theater kid. Eventually, I started competing in musical theater competitions. Singing duets with my sister is one of my favorite memories. Musicals like Legally Blonde, Heathers, Little Women. We also loved Hilary Duff, and Miley Cyrus – we sang it all. I got to discover acting, plays, and films I really liked, and eventually went away to school. Not only did I blossom into a theater nerd, but also made so many good memories with my sister connected to the journey of getting there. I moved away to go to school, which was really hard (and I sobbed). But I knew it was what I needed to do. Three years later I met Alex Biro. He heard my songs and wanted to mentor me! Now, here we are; releasing my second single. I’m emotional (laughs), it’s been a long road.

When did you start feeling connected to music? What did you grow up listening to?

I heard “Teardrops On My Guitar” on the school bus in elementary school. That made me want to play guitar and write songs. But, also my dad would play Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Santana, and Bob Marley. That’s the classic stuff I remember from when I was really young with my family. Me and my sisters would ask my dad to play “Zombie Zoo” by Tom Petty in the car on the way home from piano lessons. Growing up on the East Coast, there was also a lot of folk music. Ron Hynes, Great Big Sea, The Ennis Sisters – it was around me all the time.

When did you know you could sing?

I would hum and sing around the house, staring out the car window, on the school bus, literally anywhere, from as young as I can remember. My older sister would get so annoyed, (laughs).

Do you remember a specific time in your life where music made a huge difference?

My sister and I recorded a cover of “Far Side Banks of Jordan” by Johnny and June for my Granny for Christmas. It made her holidays super special that year. <3

Could you give a list of some of the records that influenced the music you are making today?

Heard It In a Past Life - Maggie Rogers, Seeds - Hey! Rosetta, Red - Taylor Swift, The Evening Machines - Gregory Alan Isakov.

When did you know you had to be an artist and release your original music?

Probably when I wrote a song called “Water.” I felt trapped, alone, boxed in – and I was able to work through my feelings and understand myself because of it. That’s when I realized I could share and relate to people through music in a way I struggle with day-to-day. That’s when I knew I wanted to do this.

Who was the first person to ever believe in you, professionally?

I’ve had the privilege to have some amazing teachers and mentors over the years. My commercial performance teacher in college was really amazing and shaped me as an artist. But, it was really Alex who took me under his wing almost two years ago now, and has been a mentor and close friend ever since. He definitely helped take my career to the next level.

"Scarlet Letter" is your new single - what's the inspiration/story behind this song?

I started writing “Scarlet Letter” at my kitchen table. It was one of those songs I didn’t know where it was going until I finished the chorus, which I wrote first, and then I moved on to the verses. I immediately was reminded of a past relationship that turned toxic very quickly. I sent it to Alex and he immediately ran over and forced himself onto it. We wrote the second verse that day.

Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? When did you start working on it?

I wrote it in the spring of 2023, and it was actually unfinished for a long time. I wrote 4 or 5 different bridges for it!! When we got into the studio, the song basically finished itself. Mike Tompa who produced it, arranged and played an incredible string section which still makes me cry to this day.

What did you feel when recording this song?

The day of I was very anxious about other circumstances in my life. But once I got to sit down and sing it, everything melted away. Because of how anxious I was, I was nervous that my voice wouldn’t hold up, but I sat down and started playing and singing and we got it pretty quickly.

When did you know that "Scarlet Letter" had to be a single?

When I finished the chorus. Then, when Alex freaked out about it and hopped on verse 2, that’s when I really knew. There was something magical about how I stumbled onto the lyrics and flow of the chorus, and when I wrote down ‘Scarlet Letter’ with only my little notepad, I really felt this had to be a special song.

What message do you want to deliver through this song? What do you want people to feel when listening to it?

This song is for people who feel taken advantage of, and cast aside. But, knowing that there is freedom in that. I hope people can find some catharsis in this song and listen to it on a rainy car ride, or at the top of a mountain overlooking the ocean. It’s a very magical, regal song, and I want it to transport people and make them feel like they’re on top of the world.

As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?

Right now, it’s juggling all the different moving parts. I’m a singer/songwriter, but currently, I’m also a video editor, director, and influencer. I work at a bar – it's a lot. So, that’s definitely the hardest part. But the best part is that I have a team who is so very supportive and makes my life wayyyyy easier. I couldn’t do this without them.

What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?

There’s definitely a lot of stress on social media and not the actual music. But, that’s a double-edged sword because I think that also makes the music industry more accessible for so many people, including myself. I still would probably change how much pressure is put on artists to use and grow social media, it's just the reality of the time we live in, but I wish it were more about the music sometimes.

What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?

I’m very trusting, some might say naive. But, I believe the best in people and I refuse to change that about myself. So, I’ve had to learn how to stay guarded while balancing my softness. I don’t want to be hardened, but I also don’t want to be taken advantage of.

In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?

This might be so cheesy, but I genuinely feel if people just shut up and listened to one another, this world would be so much better. It’s obviously more complex than that, but people are so proud and stubborn and don’t realize they have so much to learn from one another.

Any upcoming project(s)?

My first EP!!! I can’t believe it. I’m so excited. It’s called Nottingham Drive and it will be out in Summer 2024. Five songs, two we still have to finish. Genuinely, I’m so excited for people to hear it. It follows a lot of themes about feeling cast aside and used. It also has a super nostalgic feel to it and is named after my first childhood home. Did I mention I’m excited? hehe

Connect with Leah:

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