We handed the keys to vocalist, producer, event curator, and DJ, Jenny Voss, to unlock the role of house music in her life and the exciting future plans she's got in the bag.
What inspired you to enter the music space?
Music has always been a part of me. It’s what I do in my down time, in the car, in my safe space, in my head, in my sleep even. I think what inspires me most are just nights in the studio where I create something amazing with people in a collaborative creative space and we are all smiling from cheek to cheek. There is nothing that can put that feeling into words. My favorite thing to do is make music. My grandma was a professional singer, my mom and aunt were born with incredible voices, my brother can play anything he picks up. Music is just a part of our family.
Growing up, I always wanted to put on a show. Whether it was singing, dancing, or pretending to be in a skit in front of my family, it’s all I wanted to do. I did talent shows, tried out for all the TV shows, sang karaoke with my mom every chance I could, did competitive cheerleading, anything and everything to do with music or a stage, I did it. I was drawn to it from the get-go.
Talk us through your favorite genres to produce/ DJ
I am working on developing my own genre called “Romantic House.” It’s a mix of piano house (which you’ll notice a lot of my original music gears towards), sexy soulful house, latin house, R&B house, and even some disco house. House music that makes you feel sexy and plays off the romance of life. I of course love vocals in house, and 9 times out of 10 my lyrics are about love, sex, or magic. I love sexy beats that make you feel something deeper, lots of bass, a beat driving kick, some beautiful piano, and I‘m a big fan of strings and brass and any sort of LIVE instrument. Before I geared all my music to house I worked with a live keyboardist, blues guitarist, saxophonist, and/or trumpet player and I always love adding their sound to my performances and production. That being said, and as I am new to the DJing space, I love gearing my sets to the vibe of the event/venue I am playing. I love discovering new music and being able to tie my sound in with new songs that I normally wouldn’t play in order to fit a vibe.
What brought you to San Diego?
I moved to San Diego about 10 years ago after graduating college. I visited one time before I decided to pack my bags and move here. I had no job and didn’t really know anyone, but I knew I would figure it out. I first started working at a restaurant that had live music every week. I quickly became in charge of booking all the live musicians and realized I needed to figure out how to book myself. I went on craigslist and found a guitarist who learned about 500 songs for me and we sang cover songs at bars and restaurants for 5 years straight. While working other jobs, I still managed to sing about 3-4 times a week around town singing cover songs like Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, Donna Summers, etc. After 5 years of gig after gig, I got burnt out of singing other people’s songs and was longing to find a new way to ignite the music in me. That’s when I fell in love with house music, realized that was the direction I wanted to go, and started going full steam ahead towards becoming an artist in the house music industry.
With so many newly opened venues and recently started events, the San Diego dance scene is growing rapidly. What are your observations/thoughts on the scene and community here?
This music scene in San Diego is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s so beautiful! I’ve never been connected to so many people that have the same dream as me and work towards it so much. We have so many local artists here, groups that want to build great events, venues that want to bring fresh experiences. I love that it is constantly growing. We all find our own niche, we learn from each other, we collaborate when it makes sense, and we’re all growing together to help make this city greater and put San Diego on the map in the house and techno world.
I will say, one of my roles with In The Bag Productions is to find new venues, and that is one of our weakest points. There is a shortage of cool new venues and we always want our next venue to be unique and not done before. So, if anyone out there is ready to build a new venue, I am here for it!
You're a vocalist, DJ, producer, and are on the 'In The Bag Productions' team... How do you balance all of this?
I'm all of those things... but I'm also a full time Real Estate Agent! It feels like I am working 3 full time jobs right now. Don’t get me wrong, I am f*cking exhausted. However, I’ve learned that in order to do more we must be more. And sometimes being more and doing more actually means doing less of what we used to do. I have to be extremely selective with my energy these days. I don’t nearly go out as much as I used to, I don’t drink as much as I used to, I don’t party as much as I used to. I am growing up and making space only for what lights my soul on fire. And for me, that is being successful in business, in music, in creation, and in love. That’s all I have time for!!
Some days I am totally out of balance. Burnt out, uninspired, tired, more tired. But I will say, the vocalist, DJ, producer part is so much fun, I long for it. Those 3 hours a week I get in the studio or at a show make the other 40-60 hours of the work week so worth it. I’ve always had to balance. This year specifically because I am new to real estate, I’ve had to put music on the back burner at certain times to make things work. But at the end of the day, I still long to make music, DJ, and/or plan In The Bags next adventure because I love what I do!
I’ve always been taught to have one thing in life that makes you money, one thing that keeps you creative, and one thing that keeps you active. That is the recipe! I’ve learned to take breaks when I’m tired instead of waiting until I feel like quitting. I’ve learned having the right partner who has the same passion and hunger for all things like I do is extremely important. And of course staying grateful, catching sunsets, and surrounding myself with people who believe in me helps and makes it all worth it.
What's been your favorite venue to play in San Diego?
My favorite has got to be Spin Nightclub. This place has become home over the years and I’ve had so many special memories and shows there. Something about seeing someone like Chris Lake, Sonny Fodera, or Cloonee play there one night, then the next a local schmuck like me gets to hit the same decks and perform on the same stage just feels wild. I love their commitment to giving hard-working local acts a chance. And when we get to do shows there for In The Bag, the sky is the limit when it comes to decorating and transforming the space. I’ve seen it be a Tub, Juicebox, Football field, Desert Disco, you name it. Spin Nightclub is home, it’s where I had my first show, our first In The Bag event, too many memories. Bury me on that dancefloor.
When you're going out dancing in San Diego on a night off from producing/ DJing, where will we find you and why?
If I don’t have a show I’m most likely in bed these days... I’ve become such a homebody lately which is crazy because I used to be out all the time! However, if a great artist is playing at Spin, that is most likely where I'll be going. Same with Bang Bang, Firehouse, or Camino Riviera depending on the day. I love a good outdoors experience and think the Church of Music has done such a great job with that. Wherever the music is good, I will go... if I’m not sleeping.
Who are your 'ones to watch' from the San Diego scene?
I love this question! I love being surrounded by so many people that chase the same dream as me and truly work hard at it. Of course, one of my friends and mentors throughout this has always been DJ Susan – he’s on the top of that list. He’s put San Diego House & Tech House on the map. He’s inspired so many of us who are so close to keep working because we see it’s actually attainable. Of course I have to shout out my mans Chris Diaz, my friend Maximo, incredible local producer Burko, and my all-time favorite band DGTL CLR. And I absolutely LOVE watching more women in the scene too. My girls Blue Jade, Lady K, Almost Nakey, Golden Girl, Church of Music, etc. etc. etc. It’s been so amazing collaborating with more women in this space. And like I said earlier, it is so fun to be surrounded by so many people that work their ass off to create. It’s magic.
What are your future plans, and what should we look out for from you?
I am so excited for what’s to come! This past year I had to put music on the back burner a little bit as I learned a new career in real estate. I had to build a new brand and focus on surviving in a commission only profession... as if being a starving artist wasn’t enough. It’s truly been my year of learning and being a student again. I’ve been learning how to produce more, how to DJ, how to become a better songwriter, and how to balance it all. Two years ago (the year of quarantine) I released 26 songs in one year. This year I’ve only released about 5 songs so far. So as you can see, things have slowed. But it’s been a year of learning quality over quantity.
I am SO ready to get this EP out that I have been working on for months. I am working on getting booked at bigger events around the world with my DJ duo, Voss & Things. I am planning on DJing more by myself locally. I have so many songs in the vault that have been waiting for the right moment & finishing touches. In The Bag is growing tremendously as we find different avenues to create in. And I am just excited to keep doing what I do best!!
If you could play anywhere, at any venue in the world tonight, where would it be?
If I could play anywhere in the world right now, I would have to say the Defected Festival in Croatia. All I’ve ever wanted was to be signed and supported by Defected Records. My soulful sound and background tied with my new age love for house music I feel is so synergistic. I can’t wait to make that happen soon and to be in Croatia with the Defected family surrounded by all my best friends!!
In what ways can the San Diego dance community support you or collaborate with you?
I already feel so supported by this community. Thank you all so much for just letting me do what I was born to do. Thank you for giving me spaces to create in, sing in, perform in, and receiving it so well. Thank you all for showing up to my shows, listening to my music when I release, and wanting to collaborate with me! Like I said before, this community is special. Thank you! Love You!
Lastly, what’s a track you want to share?
SEDUCTION - one of my favorites from my unreleased EP that I am working on that I have been testing on dance floors! It’s got a driving kick and bass, funky piano, and some sultry catchy vocals that talk about temptation and seduction. Hope you love it, and feel free to download it while it’s still unreleased and test it in your sets!!
You can keep up with Jenny Voss:
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