Performer wields independence through studio projects

  Melanie Nissen Jonatha Brooke‘s new
album "Steady Pull,"released in February features many styles and
even new kinds of instruments.

By Darcy Lewis
Daily Bruin Contributor

On track five of Jonatha Brooke’s latest release,
“Steady Pull,” Brooke sings, “”˜cause I was
aimed from birth to break off from the pack,” resonating with
many the clarity of a personal truth.

“It’s something my mom used to say to me,”
Brooke said in a phone interview from her Los Angeles home.
“She used to say, “˜You were aimed from birth.’ I
just thought, what an amazing image, that there’s a
trajectory that we don’t know about but it’s there and
we will fall into line with it at some point.”

For Brooke, that trajectory has been a steady pull toward
independence in both her life and her new album, which was released
in February. The singer/songwriter is seeking her own style and
she’s doing what it takes to maintain ultimate
creativity.

“Independence is becoming my middle name,” she said.
“It’s an amazing time right now, and I think
there’s so much confusion in the major label world about
where their priorities really are in terms of supporting their
artists or not.

“It seemed like a really good time for me to take over and
say, “˜Wait a minute ““ I could certainly do as well ,if
not better, on my own,'” she continued.

Brooke attributes many of the qualities that set her apart to
her mother.

“She influences my resilience. My mom is an incredibly
strong woman, she just never quits, and that’s been an
amazing gift from her, and just a sense of you-can-do-anything; she
totally gave me that.”

The Brooke brand of independence also found an outlet in the
studio. For a few of the tracks on the album, she and her band
invented some new instruments. Brooke revealed that a lint brush
provided the unusual percussion in “How Deep Is Your
Love” and that plucking the strings inside the piano gave
“Room In My Heart” its darker sound. In addition,
Brooke attempted a new instrument for the album.

“I’m not a bass player but I had a blast trying to
play bass on three songs on the record, and it has a vibe, so we
kept it.”

Brooke’s tested new waters stylistically as well with her
decision to incorporate some funky tracks and some romantic songs
on this album.

“I got a little closer to home and a little more
straightforward on a few songs. It was kind of scary to be that
happy, but also to write lyrics that were as romantic and as
telling as they are.”

Brooke finds her best songwriting is done in seclusion. She
avoids distraction by mountain climbing and finds that it enhances
her writing.

“It makes you walk at a different pace than if you were
walking on a flat road. When I’m singing along, the tempo is
very different than walking around my house, so it just provided
some different groove for me to hum along to and some different
landscape for me to check out.”

As if lint brushes and silverware did not provide enough audio
distinction, Brooke has also recorded a few songs from the album in
French and plans to take “Linger,” a track from
“Steady Pull,” to the radio in France.

The diversity of Brooke’s projects also sets her apart. In
addition to writing songs for her album, she worked for Disney to
produce a few tracks for the upcoming “Peter Pan”
sequel, slated for February of next year.

Part of the diversity she displays in her projects is due to the
freedom of her independent label. This freedom has allowed her
to create a DVD, featuring videos for each song, outtakes from the
videos and personal interviews.

“If you were at a major label it would just be such a
trail of woes trying to get anything to happen or get a yes for
somebody; that’s what’s so amazing about doing it
ourselves. We just make decisions and then do things.”

As with so much else in her life, Brooke has shattered the norm
with her personal Web site. Brooke’s on-the-road journal
entries and the first-person voice with which she guides readers,
make the Web site a personal interaction atypical of most
rocker/fan relationships.

“When I perform I try to be an inclusive performer. I want
the audience to feel warm and included. I want them to feel like
they are actually getting to know a person, not just some snotty
diva, so the Web site’s an extension of that.”

In addition, Brooke also autographs every CD purchased through
the site.

“It’s just one more way to say, “˜Look, I
really appreciate you guys supporting me. Every little bit helps at
this point. If you buy this record you really are helping me buy
peanut butter this week and pay my band. It means a lot to me, and
here’s something that I can do that might be meaningful to
you.'”

Brooke’s interaction with fans is not limited to the
virtual world. She’s also comfortable meeting with her fans
on the road.

“The biggest compliment is when they just come up and
thank me and don’t really want anything in return, but that
my music has moved them on some level, whether it’s
emotionally, or moved them to be boogying in the audience, or has
told their story in a way that perhaps they wouldn’t voice
it. That is incredibly moving to me,” she said. “I
still get kind of teary-eyed when people tell me these stories, and
I love that music does that, that it reaches into the very depths
of people.”

Brooke has a heavy tour schedule ahead of her to promote
“Steady Pull,” but like most things, she takes it in
stride. She does, however, have some required gear for her
trek.

“A good book, cozy slippers, almond butter ““ huge
jar of almond butter”“ and a really cozy sweater. If
you’re on a bus for a million hours a day, and you’re
playing six days in a row, you’re not wearin’ high
heels!”

Despite the hardships of touring, Brooke is excited about being
on the road.

“We’re rockin’ a little harder this time,
actually. We just try to have fun and really be passionate about
it, and talk to the audience.”

Brooke plans to take her show to Europe this summer, after a
three-year hiatus from international venues. Her visit will
coincide with the European release of “Steady Pull.”
Despite her long absence, Brooke has a solid fan base in
Europe.

In addition to touring, Brooke also has a more personal vision
for the future.

“I’d love to have a little cottage in the south of
France and 10 dogs, maybe a couple kids, and have friends come over
all the time to read books and drink wine. Sounds pretty good,
huh?”

For someone aimed from birth to break off from the pack, it also
sounds pretty likely.

MUSIC: Jonatha Brooke’s album
“Steady Pull” is available from Bad Dog Records. For
more information, and to buy the CD or DVD, go to http://www.Jonathabrooke.com.