Don’t you know Jane Doe? She’s a total baddie, but she can be anyone and everyone… literally. The truth is, everyone has a side of them that has been hiding and is getting ready to be seen.
Of course, Leyla Blue knows her all too well. The newly independent R&B/Pop songstress uses her latest single “Jane Doe” to present listeners with the idea that it is totally okay to embrace anonymity, as well as create your own identity and be playful with it!
Check out our chat about the song below.
Howdy Leyla, how’s everything going? How’s everything been lately?
Everything is going really well. I just put out my first song in a while, and I’m just so over the moon to be releasing music again.
It really has been a minute. I mean, I was very excited to hear that you dropped a new song! I think this is a pretty meaningful project, wouldn’t you say so?
Thank you! Yeah. I’ve put out a lot of music in the past that is both pop vibes and more serious stuff. I feel this definitely leans into the fun side of things but also has a really serious message, which is kinda my favorite combination and is really meaningful for me. I just love this song so much.
Totally! I know this song has a theme of self-empowerment and controlling your own narrative… owning your story too. Can you elaborate a little more on that?
I think, especially right now, in a time when there’s so much information about everybody all the time, I fantasize about this ability to almost control the narrative and the pen… basically take the pen and write my own story for how I want to be perceived… which I don’t think you always have the power to do in person, but you always have the power to do it when you’re stepping away and analyzing and just kinda trying to figure out what’s the version of the story you’re telling yourself. “Jane Doe” for me was really taking that and writing that perspective of exactly how I wanted to be.
Has this been something that you’ve thought about for years, or is it something that has really come to your mind more recently?
I think for me, music has always been a means to control my narrative. I grew up with a lot of mental health issues and didn’t really understand what was going on until I started making music. It was the only thing that allowed me to make sense of what was happening in my brain, and it also allowed me to rewrite a story from something that brought my life a lot of negativity into something that inspired me. It allowed me to basically pour these emotions and feelings into beautiful things. Music has always been a vehicle for me to do that, and I feel like this is just… I’m 23 now. The last time I put out music was when I was like 20/21.
That’s right.
So it feels like I’m entering a whole new chapter of my life, and my music is just fostering that transition… also being a toolkit.
Yeah, and this is kinda jumping into the next thing I really wanted to chat about… this is a brand new chapter for you, and it’s very very VERY exciting… but are you also nervous about re-introducing yourself to the world?
Yeah, I definitely am. Every part of me wants to be like no, I’m so excited. I actually am SO excited, and it’s been a long time coming. But it’s also really nerve-wrecking, I think the industry has changed a lot. It’s always just scary to put something out that you’ve worked really hard on and to put something out that shares so much of who you are, because people could just shit all over it… for a lack of a better phrase. I think the most important thing is that I love it, I feel really good about it, I feel like it’s saying exactly what I want to say and communicating a feeling – specifically to young women. That makes ME at least personally feel like I want to feel, so I just hope that translates. All I can do is hope other people take it well… I can’t control their reactions.
Well… what’s next? Do you have any big goals for 2023 that you want to tackle?
I’m just so excited. I have a brand new team, and I feel so supported in my vision. I feel like for the first time, I’m really confident in the music I’m putting out. Or… I didn’t not feel confident in the music I was putting out, but I now feel the most confident about the fact and idea I can consistently put out music, and that’s exactly what I want to do. I have two more singles coming out in the next few months, and I’m doing a mini tour. I’m just gonna keep releasing music and just keep building, and hopefully keep growing a community of people who feel the way I feel when I listen to my music… and we can all just vibe together!
Look, all you need is love, and music is love!
Yes, I feel that SO hard.
Totally. But you know, sometimes a fresh start is necessary. Is there any specific pieces of advice you might be able to give to someone who may be thinking hey, it’s time to re-invent myself… kinda let go of who I used to be and start working on a new chapter?
That’s such an interesting question. I feel so honored that you asked me that question honestly. I feel like the only thing you can say in that situation is that you’re not hurting. You’re not doing anything for anyone if you’re holding onto old ways, because the reality is now we have the tools to re-invent ourselves and the only person holding you back is yourself. You never know what stands on the other side of that door, and also honestly, most people are too busy caring and thinking about themselves to think about what you’re doing. If the shame or the embarrassment is what’s stopping you, just dive in. The fear is the worst part of it.
I would personally be so more scared of regretting that I never took a chance and went for a certain opportunity.
1000%. I literally wrote this down on my notes app last week. I’d rather regret something that I did than I didn’t do.
There’s so much truth in that statement.
I mean it’s really important, especially while you’re young and you have these opportunities. Right now I’m living in LA and pursuing my dream. If I don’t give it everything, if I don’t make the song I wanna make or do the big run I wanted to do, you never know. You really never know, and why would I hold back?
I feel like you just described the story of my life for the past year… but I also feel like there’s a lot of people who will try to hinder you from just going for it.
I feel you, I totally feel you. Personally, what I think has helped me so much is to look at people’s reaction to you as more of a reflection on them than on you. This is like such a funny reference, but I do hot yoga sometimes because I really love the way it makes me feel. One of the hot yoga teachers I take, they always say “take what works and leave the rest.” Just take what works for you, and the rest literally doesn’t matter.
Those words are literally simmering in my mind like a juicy piece of bulgogi beef on a little tiny grill at a KBBQ restaurant.
I freaking love Korean barbecue. I have been f**king with so much Korean barbecue lately.
I know because there’s just SO many good spots in LA!!
So many. Oh my God.
Now I’m getting hungry. This is not good. This is nooooot good. I’m like, do I really want to drop $25 on a meal right now? Like, treat yourselffff!
You deserve it! Go get it!
Speaking of treating yourself, what are your favorite self-care activities? That’s something we’ve gotta discuss, especially since we’re on this topic of new beginnings.
I think for me, I’m realizing exercising is what makes me mentally okay… to be able to have that release. As far as the relaxation side goes, I love a massage. I love a Thai Town cheap massage where they walk all over your back. That’s so niche and lowkey weird, but it’s amazing. I love chocolate. I love my roommates, and I love my friends and family… and laughing for no reason. That’s probably the best self-care activity.
Well Leyla, our time here is almost up. Is there anything else you want the world to know right now?
All of my music, and this song “Jane Doe” in particular, is about the idea that you have the power to write whatever story of your life. Write whatever story you want your life to be. Whether that be story you tell yourself, whether that be the options you take, it is all within your power and toolbox. Everything you’ve been through is just another lesson or thing to bounce off of. Take that power and own it.
Amen to that, and amen to an amazing new banger from Leyla Blue. Check out “Jane Doe” below!
Leyla’s manifestation for our chat: “I am going to have a carer that brings a lot love and confidence to a lot of people. As many people as I can possibly reach, specifically to a lot of young women… and just give them a God complex that they deserve!”
