Singer Jayme Dee on Writing Love Songs and Rocking Polka Dots
Photo courtesy of Tever Hoehne1/4How did you use YouTube to launch your career?
"In high school, I'd post cover songs to YouTube for fun. I started growing a fan base and putting up original material. It became a career! I wasn't expecting any of it—I feel like I got lucky. I always wanted to pursue music and was a vocal major at University of Southern California; I didn't expect to have it happen so suddenly."
Can you describe your style of music?
"It's a fun, retro pop sound—like Amy Winehouse meets Katy Perry! It's happy and summer-y, but still soulful."
What was it like to tour with Owl City?
"It was my first tour, and Owl City was awesome. It's definitely a rush singing all of the songs I've been working on for so long to a live audience."
Photo courtesy of Tever Hoehne2/4How did you come up with your song, "Love Whiplash?"
"I started writing it on my iPhone while on my way to church! A guy had just dumped me and wanted to get back together right afterward. I was frustrated, and I wrote that song. People seemed to like it when I posted it on my YouTube channel, and it's the song that got me signed."
What about your new single that came out this week, "Tip Toes?"
"It's a happy love song about that rush of new love. It's fun and exciting! I'm filming my first music video for it—I'm really excited."
Photo courtesy of Tever Hoehne3/4What's your writing process like?
"A lot of people ask me if I write the music or the lyrics first, and it depends on the song. All of my songs are autobiographical. It's hard to write something that isn't happening in my life because it doesn't feel real to me. I can't connect to a song if I can't find something inside of me that's feeling what I'm saying. Writing is a good outlet to express myself."
You have great style. What do you like to wear on stage?
"I love fashion—it's another way for me to express myself. I wear polka dots, sequins, and mismatched patterns. I shop at Topshop, Free People, AllSaints, and lots of vintage stores. Music is the first way for me to express myself, but fashion goes along with it and helps people understand where I'm coming from."
Photo courtesy of Tever Hoehne4/4Which musicians inspire you?
"I love Amy Winehouse; she's my idol. John Mayer is the reason I picked up a guitar. And I love Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin because I listened to a lot of old Motown when I was growing up."
Do you have any songs on repeat right now?
"I love Taylor Swift's new single, 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.'"
