Artist Interview - Jenny Pegg
Ever wanted to get inside our artists’ heads and and find out everything there is to know about their Rocket Fuel journey? Well, you’re in luck! Once a month we’ll be sharing an exclusive interview with one of our Rocket Fuelled artists, starting with the lovely Jenny Pegg…
Jenny is a church worship leader and singer-songwriter based in Sheffield. She has a “beautiful, gentle style”, with a lot of her songwriting being inspired by the struggles she has faced as a result of her chronic illness. She is passionate about providing others with inspiration and encouragement, and, with a little help from Rocket Fuel, she has been able to do this through her music.
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Jazz: Hey Jenny! How’re you doing? Tell us what you’ve been up to.
Jen: Hey! I'm doing great thanks. Lots going on and it's all going really well. I had the pleasure of performing at Sunday Night Live Leeds Central last Sunday which was a great evening and I met some fab people. On Tuesday my church put on a family fun day in Broadfield Park in Sheffield and I was invited to sing at that. Also, it was really exciting to be perform alongside some great artists on Saturday evening at The Soul Tram as part of the Sheffield Tramlines Festival.
Jazz: Sounds like you’ve had a really exciting couple of weeks! So, how did it all get started? When did you launch your Rocket Fuel mission?
Jen: I launched my Rocket Fuel mission in October 2014 and was really fortunate to be one of the first set of artists. As soon as I went to the promo evening about it I was keen to get involved.
Jazz: What did you hear at the promo event that made you choose Rocket Fuel?
Jen: I think it's a fab idea! There are so many great artists around who just don't have the funds to be able to do everything they have the potential for and it's not easy asking for money. This way you can raise awareness of what you're doing, raise funds in a non pressured way and also sell merchandise to help towards the mission. Perfect!
Jazz: What has Rocket Fuel helped you to achieve in the past nine months?
Jen: So far it's helped me to get off the ground with an artist development contract and start getting out performing and sharing my story. Also, I now have the funds to record the first single of my new album, which is fabulous! Sharing my story is a really important part of my ministry as I have chronic arthritis and I'm passionate about encouraging and inspiring people in their struggles in life. I'm very honest about my own life and share positive things I've learnt in my relationship with God and in coping with having a chronic illness from day to day. Rocket Fuel has really helped me to get the message of this out into the public arena through the video that was filmed to portray that and the Rocket Fuel website.
Jazz: And how about the future? What are you hoping to achieve in the next year?
Jen: I'm writing some Christian devotional literature at the moment which I'm hoping to get published in time for Christmas; I hope to have written at least half of the tracks for my new album (a proper 10 track one!) and more than anything I hope to be able to share my story and songs with as many people as possible with the hope that they'll be encouraged and inspired by them.
Jazz: What advice would you give to other artists who feel trapped or limited by the challenges in their lives?
Jen: First of all I'd say age is no problem. I'm 44, have two teenage children and learnt to play the piano in my thirties. I hope I'm modelling to others (including my own kids) that it's never too late to pursue your dream. I once heard a speaker say "For as long as you have breathe in you, you have potential" and that really stuck with me. We are all full of potential and no matter what barriers stand in the way, faith and determination will always win through. Somehow it makes the success feel even bigger if you've had to overcome a lot to get there. You are unique, don't be afraid to be so. Don't be put off if you have to manage your life differently to others. With the illness I have I can't be on my feet constantly and if I have a gig in the evening I have to rest in the afternoon. I also have to vary my performance so I'm sitting down for half of it, but that doesn't put me off or frustrate me - it's worth it to be able to achieve what I'm doing and encourage others along the way.
Jazz: How about other Rocket Fuel artists?
Jen: Be encouraged and don't worry if things go a little quiet at times....support often comes in lulls and waves. Keep thinking of innovative things to have in your store that reflect who you are and what you're about and keep on sharing on social media and at gigs. You'll be surprised how just when you think things have gone a little quiet, orders suddenly start coming in :).
Jazz: Thanks, Jen! Is there anything exciting coming up that we should know about?
Jen: I'll be releasing a single from my EP on 25th September 2015 which is really exciting. It's called ‘Cry for Redemption’ and is linked directly with my story. I sing about a stone square prison with no windows, which for me is the chronic arthritis, but it could stand for any struggle in a person's life - a difficult relationship, job, debt - anything where it feels quite hopeless. It's a very special song to me.
I'll also be releasing my devotionals mid November in which I'll be encouraging people in their daily lives through stories (some of them funny), facts and some wisdom I've picked up along the way. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to share all of this in person as I travel around the country!
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Support Jenny's Rocket Fuel mission at www.rocketfuelhq.com/jennypegg and access exclusive rewards and merchandise. To find out more about Jenny's incredible story, visit her website or blog
