Fresh off a European tour with David Kushner, up-and-coming star Jenna Raine is back with a new EP, Only Started Growing, out April 25 via Warner Records. Known for heartfelt lyrics, Jenna captures her personal yet relatable struggles with heartbreak and growth through her six-song EP, including her recent hits “Roses,” “21,” and “Good Grief.” I caught up with Jenna to talk about her journey as a songwriter, what she wants fans to take away from her new music, and her upcoming headline tour.
Payton: Congrats on the EP. It sounds great. One of the lyrics that stuck out to me is, “Everybody changes, God knows that we have.” How has your music style changed in the last year and a half since we spoke?
Jenna: Oh, gosh, so much. I think 20 to 21 [years old] is such a big jump. My taste in music has changed significantly. I think with this project, especially, it’s the beginning of a new chapter. Sonically I really want to go more the route of, like, old 2000s music. The Fray and The Script have always been my main inspiration — and Colbie Caillat. Those are the people I just grew up listening to. I feel like that’s a hole that hasn’t been filled, and it’s truly where I’m passionate about in music. I’m really excited to embrace that sound and challenge myself in this project and the next.
Payton: Can you tell me a bit more about the writing process for Only Started Growing?
Jenna: The thought process behind this was, I wanted “Roses” to be on a project when people listen to the record. I wanted them to have a world that they could embrace and put themselves into when they find the song and they’re like, “Oh, is there more behind this record?” So the intention behind this EP was really to close out that chapter and give “Roses” a world, a sanctuary for people to join in on and… I wanted to make the people happy, give them more music before digging deep on creating an album and disappear for a tiny bit.
Payton: How long have you been writing for the EP?
Jenna: All of the songs that are on this EP were very recently written, so I’d say [I wrote] less than five or six months for this EP in particular. These songs aren’t very old to me, so I’m excited for them to come out, and I’m excited for people to hear them. And I don’t think a lot of artists get to release a song that you’ve just written. “21” came out like a month and a half after we wrote it. I think the oldest song is “Never Too Late,” and I wrote “Never Too Late” in the back half of the summer. It’s been really fun to make these songs come to life very quickly.
Payton: Obviously, the EP is a lot about growth. To grow, I’m sure you’ve had to take some risks. Were there any big risks you took sonically or lyrically with this project?
Jenna: Oh, 100%. I was more comfortable sonically with where we went. I’ve always loved organic production, something that’s very band-driven, not very pop, and that’s the route that I want to continue to go on with the rest of my music in the very near future. Lyrically, I took a ton of risks… but I know that it’s going to bring a ton of people comfort and show them that they’re not alone in what they’re feeling, and that I’m not just this happy, joyful person that doesn’t go through hard, difficult situations. And that’s a part of me that I really felt that needed to be shown because I don’t want people to get the wrong idea that I’m just this perfect, happy, joyous human being when really I do go through very difficult times. So I’m nervous but excited.
Payton: You should be very proud of everything written and released so far. Are there any lyrics from this project that you’re particularly proud of?
Jenna: I really like the line in “21” that goes “Crying every night because I’m terrified like every other girl that’s ever been alive.” All throughout high school, every other night, I would cry about my life and the future, worrying all of the time. And when I wrote “21” I realized I’m like, not that old. Why am I having crippling anxiety about getting older? I don’t know why. It should be something I’m very joyful about. People tell me their favorite part of their life is their 30s, and I literally just turned 21. I have a lot to look forward to. I also love the lyrics to “Hitchhiking.” Overall I love that song so much. It’s very close to my heart, and the storyline behind the first verse makes my songwriting heart very happy, and I feel like I haven’t shared a song like that in a really long time.
Payton: How do you think fans are going to react to the EP? Do you think they’ll be surprised by anything?
Jenna: I think they’re going to be pretty surprised by the sad songs. To be honest, I’ve released such happy music in the past. I haven’t released an EP for over a year, a year and a half or something, so the last one was really happy and jolly and good old fun. So I think the sad songs are going to be very shocking but comforting to a lot of people.
Payton: Is there any piece of advice you’ve received from another artist recently that’s really stuck with you?
Jenna: What I’ve learned, and what multiple people have told me, is that whatever is true to you and represents who you are and what you want to do is what’s going to do well. It’s 100% true, and that’s brought me a lot of comfort in trusting my instincts and my gut when I’m in the writing room. When I’m making music, when I’m putting a set together, just trusting that your opinion is the opinion that matters the most. I’m not a stickler. I’m very much a team player, so it’s sometimes hard for me to 100% trust myself and trust that I know what I’m doing and that I’ve been doing this for years. That was really great advice that multiple people have told me, and I’ve just clung on to and just have to remind myself, Jenna, you’re your own boss. You’re the artist. You know what you want.
Payton: I want to talk a little bit about the tour. So you recently did some shows with David Kushner, who I’ve also spoken with for POPTIZED. You kind of remind me of each other in a way. You’re different sides of the same coin which I love. How did that touring relationship come about?
Jenna: Oh really? Me and David have been friends for a couple years now. He was one of my first friends that I made in LA, and one of the songs that I sang on tour, “Nights Like These,” is actually about a night me and David had with our friends. We hung out at a diner, and we literally stayed there for like six hours. It was the most sweet, wholesome time ever. So when I think of David, I think of my first year living in LA—really sweet and intentional with a ton of new friends. He’s just the best, and when he asked me to open up for him, I freaked out and knew it was going to be just one hang because we’re all friends. We were traveling so much, and we’re on different buses, so I didn’t get to see him all the time, but he and Nicole are the absolute best.
Payton: Were there any moments on stage that stuck out? What was it like to perform in front of fans that might not be familiar with you?
Jenna: It was so much fun. It’s funny because people can’t tell that [you can see them], and they’re just staring at you, like, jaw open, zoned out, or freaking out. There’s just such different characters in the crowd, and it’s so much fun to watch. It’s very entertaining when you’re on stage. The last show in Newcastle, when I sang “see you later,” there were so many girls crying, and it just reminded me that’s why I do what I do. That’s why I write music, to let people apply their own stories to my music. I just had the best time. I love performing. I love moving around. If I had had like, 100 feet on the stage, I would have covered the whole ground. It’s where I find my joy.
Payton: Do you have plans for more live shows or a tour of your own?
Jenna: We’re doing a headline tour—my first headline tour ever! I cannot wait. We’re doing just a week of shows. Even though it’s only a week, it’s a big step for me because I haven’t properly toured since I was, like, 16 years old. So this is new territory for me. I’m a little nervous, a little scared. We’ll see how the shows go, but I cannot wait. I’m so eager to get out there and to meet people and just have the best time ever performing. So yeah, I can’t wait. I think people are going to freak out because I haven’t really done a show before.
Pre-save Only Started Growing here!
