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Jett’s iconic career still thriving
from: http://www.local-iq.com
by JUAN MARTINEZ
For the last 30 years, rock music icon JOAN JETT has been a staple in the music industry. And unlike many of her peers, she has managed to stay true to her beliefs. Working with some of the biggest names in music, Jett has had numerous hits, most notably 1982’s "I Love Rock ‘n Roll," she has been able to appeal to an extremely wide and varied audience.
And though her career has been significantly less visible than it was in the video-crazed ’80s, Jett has never stopped working, as evidenced by the creation of BLACKHEART RECORDS, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and a slew of records that continue to mark her as one of music’s most stable and unflinching artists. Many people might not know this about Jett. Likewise, many people might not know about her close collaborations with writer/producer KENNY LAGUNA, who co-founded BLACKHEART RECORDS and helped write many of Jett’s most memorable songs.
"We’ve been lucky to have the relationship that we have," Laguna said during a recent interview with Local iQ. "We know how each other works and have our own style."
While other musicians from her generation have ebbed and flowed over the years, Jett has kept the same in-your-face attitude she’s always been known for; the same sneer that she had with her first band, the seminal all-woman outfit The RUNAWAYS.
"We’ve always stayed true to what we set out to do," Jett said.
Over the last couple of years, Jett has kept busy working with new artists signed to her label, as well as working on her own new album, the recently released SINNER.
"It takes a lot out of us," Laguna said of having to balance both the label and recording. "We even have an Albuquerque connection. We signed (local all-sister punk rock act) The Eyeliners, and have been working a lot with them."
The idea to start the label, Laguna explained, began when Jett unsuccessfully shopped her music around and was rejected by close to 30 record labels. The two began by selling Jett’s records out of Laguna’s trunk, and despite the odds being against them, managed to make it a successful venture.
"We knew that eventually there (would) be an end to major labels," he recalled. "We wanted to have a label where we could direct artists and see them grow into career musicians. I think we are accomplishing that."
SINNER mixes Jett’s characteristic chunky, big rock guitar riffs, robust vocals, and lyrical hooks, with punk rock flourishes that nod to her early days.
"There is [the song] ‘Naked’, which I think everyone’s first image of the word is about being physically naked and this isn’t all," she said. "This is about introspection. This is a very lonely song in a sense. I think it’s kind of cool to go inside and figure out what’s behind the emotions of what makes people who they are. It can be scary to think about it all."
Along with her duties at BLACKHEART RECORDS, recording, and touring, Jett also hosts "JOAN JETT’s Radio Revolution," which can be found on Sirius satellite radio.
"That’s been interesting and different," she said of the show. "I never aspired to it, I’m really kind of shy, so for me to get on the radio and talk, I had to build up to it. But I’m having a good time, and I get to turn to people on to different things."
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