Jak Rabbit
I’ve always expressed myself through singing. It’s been something I’ve done since I was a little girl. When I was about 20 years old I began to feel overwhelmed with a lot of emotions. It was hard for me to explain how I was feeling.
But one night I went into my room where I make music from time to time and decided to pick up my guitar and record whatever came out. What happened after that button turned red was one of the most liberating moments of my life. I let go of all of the feelings I was bottling up for so long and turned them into a melodic diary. Then I took those songs and recorded every instrument, edited every line, and harmonized every vocal in order to express my emotions in an understandable way. It taught me that songwriting, for me, is key to letting go of all of the pain and is the best tool to help me understand why I feel the way I feel.
You’ll find my music is grounded in my Polish Texan roots. I sing of the Brazos river, talk of hard working women and men, and mention the freedom of nature. At the heart of it, I’m just a young girl from Texas with a voice and a story to tell.
What song of yours is the one you like the most?
One of my favorite songs that I have written lately has to be “The Wrong Desire”
Lyrics:
Unwanted illusion to free desire
But I’m on fire, I’m on fire
You sneak in my bedroom
The wrong desire
But who can blame you when your heart’s on fire
How do you write your music?
It depends on the situation. Sometimes I write a song around a set of chords from the piano or guitar. Then there are times I come up with a melody line with words first and then add other instruments.
What influences do you have?
The experiences I’ve had in my life greatly influence my music. As far as other musicians go I’d have to say: Bjork, Chan Marshall, Janis Joplin, Lydia Lunch, Billie Holiday, PJ Harvey, Joni Mitchell, The Black Lips, Kim and Kelley Deal, Kurt Cobain, The Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Roberta Flack, Alicia Keys, Lizzie Grant, and Milla Jovovich.
What’s the best experience you have had with your project?
All of the amazing people I have met through the sharing of my music has been priceless. I’ve been connected with people all over the world and even collaborated with a few. I hope to make more life long connections through my musical journey.
What plans do you have this year?
I’m always writing music and making art to go along with it. I hope to get another album put together and released on bandcamp. I’m also planning to create a few videos for some of the new songs. Also, I’ve collaborated with a French/Brooklyn based musician named Lozninger and I’m super excited to say that we are releasing an album together. You can preorder the album here: http://www.microcultures.fr/en/project/view/lozninger-kitowski-crashing-clouds
Mention something you don’t like about your project.
During this project I recorded everything myself and my knowledge is limited when it comes to sound engineering. So, the drawback of this project for me is the overall quality. The songs still mean a lot to me, even in their lo-fi form, but I know they can be improved with better recording techniques.
Mention the biggest sacrifice you did for your project.
I had to learn to let others in. Since I was depressed, I’d keep everyone at arm’s length and wouldn’t let anyone in. Once I let my guard down and accepted people’s advice I began to step outside of myself and see my work and myself in a different way. Being so self-involved in a project can be a good thing but in my case, in order to grow, I had to interact with others.
What band, music project or solist from your city do you like? Why?
The Wandering Sort (a.k.a: Jordan Kelley) from Houston, Texas. She has a really good sense of style that keeps me interested. Her lyrics make you think and her voice is just melting butter: so good. Here is a link to her soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thewanderingsort
If your project was a word, what would it be?
Willow Tree because it’s natural and grounded into the earth. The branches of the willow appear a little sad as they limp down but as the wind picks up they sway with the breeze and there mood is lifted. That’s how life is and that’s how I see my music.
What´s your full name? Where were you when you answered the interview?
Jessica Ann Kitowski. I answered this interview in my studio apartment in Houston, Texas.
