INTERVIEW JENN FIORENTINO FOR NADA POP

Jenn Fiorentino is a Canadian girl who’s forever in love with punk rock. She has been getting some nice feedback and impact with her original work, but began attracting the interest of people when she posted some videos on Youtube performing acoustic versions of NOFX, Rise Against, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Propagandhi, among others. Her versions for those songs aroused interest not because the videos portray "a girl" playing and singing punk music, but for all of the organic energy created by her voice, her playing style and the feelings expressed as just punk rock, in many cases, is able to transmit. The truth of her versions was recognized even by some of the authors of the original songs, such as Propagandhi, as you will have the opportunity to learn in this interview, conducted by Tércio Testa. In addition to reading this conversation, enjoy getting to know her work, by visiting her Facebook page: http://migre.me/qSIJg. NADA POP - Jenn, to start off, tell us how music made its way into your life and, more specifically, how did you become interested in punk and hardcore? JENN FIORENTINO - I began listening to punk when I was about 13. Surprisingly, it was actually artists like Good Charlotte and Avril Lavigne that led me into the punk scene, because they always wore shirts with names of punk bands and stuff. I also had a really good friend whose older sister listened to a lot of punk, like Rancid and Strung Out. She would borrow her CDs and we would listen to them and loved them. That's what really got me into it. After that I started going to punk shows and learning punk songs on guitar, so that really influenced my writing style. 1

NADA POP - How old were you when you started playing and do you remember what was the first song you learned how to play? Was it a punk song? JENN FIORENTINO - I was around 12 or 13 when I started playing guitar. I honestly don't remember the first song I learned, I think it might have been Dammit by Blink 182... NADA POP - How did the idea of recording videos of you own songs and also featuring versions of punk/hardcore bands come about? What personal barriers you had to face, such as shyness, embarrassment, or any other that you can cite, before posting a video with you singing? JENN FIORENTINO - Before I started posting those videos I was really against Youtube for some reason. I guess it was just too "mainstream" for me haha. But eventually I decided that it would be a great promotional tool (not to mention a free one), so I asked for a camera for Christmas. After that it was all uphill, people really liked my covers which was awesome. I was extremely nervous to post that first one, because people seem to think they can write whatever they want on Youtube without hurting anyone. It's absurd. But I was happy to see that people appreciated what I was doing, so I continued posting the videos and some of the bands even started to get in touch with me which was amazing! You can see from the videos that over the years I've become a lot more confident performing, whether it's in a live setting or behind a camera in my room.

NADA POP - Something that caught our attention to your videos is the fact that you do not use any physical attributes to promote the songs and/or attract attention from the viewers, which makes us respect you even more. However, do you believe that rock n’roll is, still, a very maledominated world? Have you ever felt slighted for being a woman in the rock n’ roll world? How do you cope with it?

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JENN FIORENTINO - Yes. The Punk and Rock scenes are ridiculously overpopulated with males. I've gotten some really rude comments on some of my videos just for being a woman, it makes me sick to be honest. People are living in the past. I have never felt the need to do anything extravagant with my appearance in my videos (or in life generally), I think raw talent should be enough. And no, I don't think the fact that I'm a girl has garnered me all those Youtube views. People who think that are just dumb, subject to some predisposition that men are inherently better than women. On the bright side, a lot of men in the punk scene are very aware of this; Propagandhi has been super adamant on finding a female guitarist to join them. I'm working really hard on their songs...I don't know if I will be able to fill the spot but I sure hope they can find a woman even if it isn't me. NADA POP - We saw a video of you singing live with Propagandhi. How did this work out? Did they know you from the videos you make? How was it for you? Did other bands get to know you and spoke to you about your work covers? If so, how was it? JENN FIORENTINO - They got in touch with me a few years ago because they had seen my Propagandhi covers and really liked them, which was amazing to me. Then in 2012 they asked me to do a quick acoustic set the open their show in Toronto, which was even more amazing. Then last year they invited me up on stage with them to sing Today’s Empires. I will never forget that moment. I was pretty nervous, and couldn’t hear myself at all (I’m not really used to singing in such a loud setting), but it was really incredible. Those guys are really great people. And yes, bands like Strung Out, Bigwig, Less Than Jake, Operation Ivy…they’ve all either gotten in touch with me or posted one of my videos. These are bands I grew up listening to, who were really good role models, and the fact that they LIKE what I’m doing is truly awesome.

NADA POP - You recorded a kick-ass version of Bigwig’s Waste with Key Smith from Local Resident Failure. Do you plan on doing more versions like that, playing with other musicians, or was it just a one-off thing? Have Bigwig seen the video? 3

JENN FIORENTINO - Yes, Bigwig has seen the video. Tom and I were planning on doing some recording but it hasn’t worked out yet. He’s another great guy, super humble and very talented. And yeh Kye and I have been hoping to do another video like that, it worked out really well last time. We’ve both been super busy but hopefully we can get it going this year sometime. NADA POP - Let’s talk about “From Darkness to Light”. This is your first album with originals? Did you do everything by yourself or have the help of a record label? JENN FIORENTINO - Actually I had an EP before that, “Upon Our Wonders”, with all originals as well. I released them both independently and did some touring over the past couple of years as well to promote the albums. I’m actually about to enter the studio again in August to record another full-length with a new producer, Derek Downham, he’s an incredible musician and has given me the guidance I need with my songs. This album is going to be a huge step for me, in terms of songwriting and production. I will definitely be pitching this one to a bunch of labels, I think people are really going to like it. NADA POP - What has been the impact of the album and what has been the frequency of shows you've been doing? And are you currently playing only in the US? How’s the internet been contributing to your work? JENN FIORENTINO - Well I live in Canada, so I mainly play shows here. I toured the whole West Coast as well as the East Coast of the US last year. I met tons of amazing people, some of whom I will actually be collaborating with this year. The internet has definitely helped a lot with promotion and CD sales. Most of my fans come from Youtube, so it’s really been an amazing tool for me.

NADA POP - The acoustic guitar has been the main instrument you play, like your trademark. Would you care to let us know which acoustic guitar you usually play and are there any other instruments you play? Is there any you would love to learn how to play in particular? Which one? JENN FIORENTINO - I play a Taylor 210CE and a Martin DC16GTE. They are both great guitars. For electric (which I have been playing a lot lately) I use a 4

PRS SE Custom 24. I play a bit of drums and have fooled around on bass, but I try to focus on guitar and vocals for the most part. Although one day I would love to learn the violin. NADA POP - Recently you said you are working on a new album, as a side-project. Is there anything you can let us know in advance like name of the album or if there will be other people playing with you? Do you have a release date settled yet? JENN FIORENTINO - Yeah! As I said above I am starting to record in August with a very well-known producer, Derek Downham. We’ve been doing preproduction for about five months now, just going through my songs and editing them and stuff. I have 9 songs ready and we will be putting 10 on the album. I’m honestly not sure yet who will be playing all the instruments. Obviously I will be doing vocals and a lot of the guitars, and I think Derek will be playing some guitars, drums, and bass. He has a ton of ideas so I’m sure it won’t take too long for us to figure things out, right now I’ve just been trying to focus on the main compositions and writing that tenth song, which is why I hired a producer this time, they take care of logistics so the musician can focus on the music. NADA POP - Now, I would like to know what you know about Brazil, but without doing any research. Just say the first things that come to your mind, be it what you already know or something you heard of. Also, do you know any Brazilian bands? JENN FIORENTINO - I believe Brazil has a very corrupt government ruling over very amazing, kind, humble people. I have so many fans over there and am awaiting the day when I can come play for you all. NADA POP - And finally, I would like you to say how important music is to you and how you intend to reach people, artistically, with your work. Thanks! JENN FIORENTINO - Music is my life! I am pursuing music not because I want to, but because I need to. I would go crazy doing anything else! You will hearing much more of me very soon! Thanks, -Jenn ********************************************** Check out all of Jenn Fiorentino’s social networks: Site http://jennfiorentino.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/jennymac1214/videos Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jennfiorentino 5

Instagram https://instagram.com/jenn_fiorentino/ Twitter https://twitter.com/jennyfiorentino

AVISO / CAUTION Por favor, caso queira compartilhar a entrevista da Jenn em seu site ou blog, solicitamos apenas que coloque os créditos. Tudo bem? Obrigado! Please , if you want to share the interview on your website or blog , please just put the credits. it's all right? Thank You!

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