Jada Interview with Lauren O'Keefe, April Forrest, Jacyn Tremblay & Elle Wine
These young divas are the real deal with their powerhouse vocals, soulful & sophisticated harmonies, gospel infused ballads and infectious grooves exploding in a bold and funky mix of pop/r&b. Lauren, Jacyn, Elle and April each have enough personal charisma to wow an audience on their own. As a group they form a bold and beautiful new musical force, and the result is the vocal and visual knockout that is jada. Visit jada’s website for performance schedule, video, CD’s and other news about jada’s fast rise to the top.
New Tracks
When I Want It (I Work It) - upbeat pop/r&b
What's Up With That - Jada's latest West Coast hip hop groove
Obvious - funky & hard drivin'
Drives me Wild - upbeat pop/r&b
Just Chill - upbeat pop/r&b
Summer Song - Jada sings about bringin' back the love
Testify (live) - soulful blues/gospel ballad (live)
(in photo above, l to r): April Forrest,17 of Boston, MA, Lauren O’Keefe, 21, of Boston, MA,
Elle Wine,19, of Newburyport, MA, and Jacyn Tremblay, 23 of Danvers, MA.
THE GIRLS
Lauren Anne Cecilia O'Keefe
April Rose Forrest
Jacyn Eve Tremblay
Elle J'aime Wine
Inteview:
1. How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?
LAUREN: It was an incredible feeling! We were so
psyched!! It was so cool to hear our music played with
the top artists; we blended right in:)
ELLE: It was really cool to hear our stuff on the
radio along with everyone else's songs who have
already made it.
JACYN: I had to pinch myself to see if I was
dreaming!! It was great!
APRIL: I rolled down the window of the car and yelled out the window. And then
yelled out to the toll booth worker who thought I'd lost it!
2. Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?
LAUREN: Everyone told me that the music industry is an
awful business where people will do anything to get to
the top. I have seen that happen, but I feel that is
the same thing that happens in any business.
ELLE: I think mostly everyone has the same idea of
what the music business is like and most everyone is
right.
JACYN: Whether it is the music business or a store
business, the rules are similar. Hard work will get
you what you deserve. You may encounter some not so
great people and situations along the way, but if you
keep at it and believe in what you do, you will
definitely make it to the top!
3. Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?
LAUREN: We all write together with our producers Ric
Poulin, and Joey P. Both have worked with artists
such as the Drop Kick Murphy's, Ludacris, and Jagged
Edge.
ELLE: We get inspiration from our own lives and others
who are close to us, really anything that we can
relate to.
JACYN: We have also worked with Benjamin Wright who
has written for Outkast, Justin Timberlake, Destiny's
Child, Pattie Labelle, Aretha, Jamiriquoi, and Brandy;
Earl Johnson who has worked with Beyonce and Chaka
Khan and Matt Haines who has worked with the Pussycat
Dolls. They are all really great guys!!
APRIL- Basically everything we write is something that
holds value to us in our lives. Listening to our songs
is kinda like reading a diary-lol-but the edited
versions-hahah!
4. What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?
LAUREN: I love Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight,
D'Angelo, The Killers, Mariah Carey...the list goes on
and on:)
ELLE: I listen to Jessica Simpson, John Legend, BEP,
Usher, Mariah Carey, and a bunch of others.
APRIL: I listen to soo many different artists, but
right now I love Kelly Clarkson cuz her vocals are so
awesome and I can relate to a lot of her songs. I like
rock mostly tho. Like Linkin Park, Evenescense,
Weezer, 3 Doors Down etc.
JACYN: I love Lauryn Hill, Gwen Stefani, Black Eyed
Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey and more! I love it
all from pop to rock to JOSH GROBAN!
5. What's next? Tour/Album/Single?
APRIL- Well, right now we're actually planning our
next trip to LA. (We were there in Feb. to attend the
Grammy Awards and meet with labels.) And we'll most
likely be doing some shows/showcases out there. Other
than that we have a bunch of shows lined up over the
summer throughout New England and in PA and Jersey.
The next album...Well we're currently workin on that
right now. We've got about 7 or 8 songs pretty much
done so far. We can't really say what the next single
will be at this point. We haven't decided yet but will soon cuz we'll be shooting a video for it!!
JACYN: All of that! All at once! We are all about doing all of
those things. We know that we are going to be very
busy for the next few years....we're ready!
6. Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?
LAUREN: No, I haven't felt that way though I have felt
super stressed out and overwhelmed. It's a scary
business if you are not used to it, but it's exciting
at the same time.
ELLE: No, you can't ever put that in your head cause
you just won't be able to do it with that kind of a
mindset.
APRIL: NO, That has NEVER been a question for me. NO
matter what, this is what I'm doing. I can't be doing
anything else.
JACYN: I have never even thought about throwing in the
towel. There are many phases to this business, and I
think the journey( good and not so easy times) is half
the fun. If I told you it was easy, then I'd be lying!
7. Do you prefer performing live or recording?
LAUREN: I love performing live! I love the rush and
the energy from the audience. There is nothing like
it!
ELLE: Live with no question because it's so much
better being in front of people who love what you're doing
than in a booth doing the same line over and over
until it's just right. Unless I get it right the first time!
APRIL: Yea I'm with the girls on that one. Live is
sooo amazing. Much more energy, just more exciting.
Thanks to the fans of course!
JACYN:Live performing is the most fun! You get to pour
all of your heart and soul into your performance. I
like recording as well. You get to create something
(on CD) that could be around forever!
8. What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
LAUREN: I have been singing, acting, and dancing since
I was about 4 and have always known that I wanted to
be a performer. Every time I went to a concert I
would always be thinking: "I want to do that". Being
able to attend the Grammy's 2005 this past February
definitely drove my dream home. It was an amazing
experience to walk the red carpet with so many
celebrities!
ELLE: I always loved to sing and every time I went to a
concert I would get this feeling in my stomach sayin'
" I have to do that".
APRIL: Well I've been performing since I was two in
one way or another (dancing, singing, acting, etc.) So
I've always loved being on stage and putting on a
show. As I got older, I really decided that the music
industry was where I needed to be. There wasn't a
specific reason, I just had this feeling...And ever
since then this is what I'm doing and nothing could
make me happier than this.
JACYN: When I was a little girl, I used to beg my dad
to put his camera on me. I would say "I wanna see me
on TV". I would sing and dance around the house ALL
the time! I guess it is something I just have to do or I
will go crazy!
9. What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?
LAUREN: The biggest challenge for me is juggling
school, work, and jada. It has been really hard to do
all three, but I have done a pretty good job keeping
my sanity;)
ELLE: The hardest thing is knowing that I can't do what
everyone else is doing all the time. I've had to drop a
lot of things to do this and I don't regret it but it's been
hard when all of my friends have wanted to go and do
something and I've had to go to rehearsal instead-AGAIN!
JACYN: Yes, Lauren did an awesome job with school and
work and Jada. I know because I did it too! It is good
to be done with schoolwork! The biggest challenge I
think is breaking into the music business itself. Our
management team (Bristol Entertainment) always tells
us that we have to "be willing to do what the average
person won't do".
10. What's a typical day like?
ELLE: A typical day for Jada is go to rehearsal for
3:30pm and not leave until everything we needed to
get done that day is done. We rehearse six days a week
and in addition to that we have shows all the time on top of recording sessions, photo shoots, video shoots, etc. We answer fan mail, plan wardrobe, work out, practice dance/choreography, attend voice lessons and rehearse rehearse rehearse! We work our butts off!
11. What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?
LAUREN: my favorite part is being able to share my
passion with the world! Sounds cheesy but its true! I
feel really lucky that I have this opportunity to go
out there and do what I love.
ELLE: Doing what I love to do.
APRIL: My favorite part is everything! NO seriously,
I'm with Lauren on this one. Being able to share what
makes you happy with millions and millions of people
is an amazing thing to accomplish. Not everyone is
able to do what they love and we are being given the
opportunity to do that.
JACYN: Doing what I love...performing! It is amazing
to know that we can make people feel all kinds of
emotions through our music.
12. If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
LAUREN: I would have to say the Black Eyed Peas and
Stevie Wonder. I love Stevie.
ELLE: I would have to say Mariah Carey, John Legend or
Jessica Simpson.
APRIL: Justin Timberlake!!! He's so amazing. Not to
mention he's pretty hottt lol. I mean that totally
professionally of course! haha
JACYN: Black Eyed Peas, Backstreet Boys, or Green Day!
13. Are you single? What do you look for in a partner?
LAUREN: haha, I am not single. I have a great
boyfriend who loves what I do. He is in a band
himself so he understands the crazy schedule of a rock
star! haha
ELLE: I also have a boyfriend who I love very much and
he supports me through everything which is what I need
being in this industry.
April: Well, I DON'T have a boyfriend, so yes Im
single. In a partner...If I was looking for a
boyfriend I guess I would look for someone who's just
good to me. Someone I can relate with, and depend on
and who can communicate well with me. AND someone who
has COMMON SENSE!!! haha that's always important.
JACYN: Hehehehe...should I answer that? Let's just say
I am pretty happy right now!
14. Do you have a website fans can visit?
ELLE: We do- it is Jadamusic.com which is our official
website where you can find our touring schedule,
pictures of us and people we've performed with, our
songs that you can listen to, our latest video and a bunch of other
stuff on there. You can also check out our official
street team website which is
www.officialjadateam.cjb.net or
www.jadamusic.com
APRIL: And our Sister st team (run by my lil sister...go
figure! haha)
www.jadamusic.cjb.net
15. Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?
LAUREN: hmmm five things?? I would have to say 1) Go
for your dreams. 2) Don't let people tell you you can't.
3) Take naps. 4)Eat well and exercise:) 5)Don't be too
hard on yourself.
ELLE: That's hard. OK 1. Do what you want to do, 2.
Work hard so you can be the best, 3. Take breaks when
you want to, 4. Don't be scared to try knew things, 5.
Have fun!!
APRIL: Well the road to happiness according to APRIL-
1) Be kind to everyone around you. 2) Be daring. 3) Go
for your dreams no matter what. 4) Don't second guess
yourself or have regrets. 5) Experience as many things
as you can that you never thought you would
experience.
JACYN: Love, Laughter, Strength, Success, Good Health
(in no particular order!)
16. What message would you like to say to your fans?
LAUREN: You are awesome!! Thank you so much for all of
your support:) We wouldn't be where we are without
you. Muagh!!
ELLE: Thank you so much for supporting us and keep it
up cause you guys are the ones who are going to get
us there.
APRIL: You guys rock my socks! ( I always say that,
but it's true!) Thanks!!
JACYN: Thanks you so much for the love and support! We
wouldn't be where we are without you!!!
60 Second Quiz
Full Name:
LAUREN: Lauren Anne Cecilia O'Keefe
APRIL: April Rose Forrest
JACYN: Jacyn Eve Tremblay
ELLE: Elle J'aime Wine
Nickname(s):
LAUREN: La La, O'Keefers, Keefers
APRIL: Apy, Connor, APPLE
JACYN: J, JT
ELLE: L, Ella Bella
Star Sign:
LAUREN: Taurus May 2 baby!
APRIL: Aquarius
JACYN: August 23rd Leo/Virgo on the cusp!
ELLE: Gemini
Favorite Food:
LAUREN: Anything Italian, that's my comfort food
APRIL: Chicken Piccata! I don't even know how to spell
that!
JACYN: Italian as well! But I really love cereal too!!!!!
ELLE: Lobster
Favorite Film:
LAUREN: Right now I would have to say Batman Begins! I
am a huge Batman fan and it was sooooo good!!!
APRIL: THE LION KING!!! WOOO
JACYN: Phantom of the Opera-I have a big musical
theater background and this film is beautiful!
ELLE: Anchor Man!!
Favorite Actor:
LAUREN: hmm I really like Brad Pitt, he's really
talented and extremely good looking:)
APRIL : Johnny Depp baby!
JACYN: Johnny Depp...He is gorgeous AND captivating on
screen!
ELLE: I don't think I have one!!
Pet:
LAUREN: I love kitties!
APRIL: I love my puppy (even tho she's isn't a puppy
anymore!)
JACYN: I am a dog lover!
ELLE: Puppies!!
Describe yourself in 3 words:
LAUREN: Outgoing, compassionate, silly
APRIL: Ridiculous, sassy (Elle told me to put that
haha), caring
JACYN: Goofy, friendly, and energetic!
ELLE: Outgoing, crazy, and fun!!
Best Feature:
LAUREN: My eyelashes!! They are really long.
APRIL: My butt haha it's big!
JACYN: My eyes..they are so dark they are almost
black!
ELLE: My eyes too!!
Worst Feature:
APRIL: My butt, haha its big!! lololololol
ELLE: Too many to choose from!!
Person You Would Most Like to Meet:
LAUREN: My grandparents on my Mom's side, they died
when I was very young. They seem amazing.
APRIL: Johnny DEPP
ELLE: Jessica Simpson!!
Hobbies/Interests:
LAUREN: Singing, acting, dancing-that is my life.
APRIL: Besides what I'm doing now, I like to read, and
write. :)
JACYN: Me too! I also LOVE to workout and hang outside
running, biking, walking, tennis, rollerblading!
ELLE: Going to the beach!!
First Job:
LAUREN:Dancing as Ernie and Prairie Dawn at Sesame
Place in PA.
APRIL: Teaching dance at an after school program at my
Elementary school.
JACYN: DO paper routes count?...My first real job was
at a farm stand. I didn't cut it and they fired me
after 3 days cause I didn't like to get dirty!
Heheheheeheh!
ELLE: I worked in a little cafe in my hometown.
Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind:
LAUREN: I'm all three;)
APRIL: None of the above....lolol I'm under age!
JACYN: Umm......Starbucks!?
ELLE: I'd say bar!! When they're not checking ID!
What Can You Never Leave Home Without:
LAUREN: My chapstick and my cell phone
APRIL: My phone
JACYN: Lipgloss!!!!!!]
ELLE: My cell phone!!
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning:
LAUREN: What I am going to eat for breakfast:)
APRIL: "Why am I awake right now? I should be sleeping
still!"
JACYN: What day is it and do I have any Kashi GoLean
in the cabinet?
ELLE: What do I have to do today?
