Every year County Prep High School hosts their annual Open Mic Night (hosted in October) for students to showcase their talent. I went to my first County Prep Open Mic Night in 2013 where I met Janel (HolyVeins), a young girl who is full of energy, optimism, and talent! Janel shuffled her way on stage with her ukulele as she performed a cover of “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood that amazed the crowd. After her performance, she returns to County Prep’s Open Mic and Talent Show (hosted in March) annually performing covers and her own songs. I wonder what Janel has up her sleeve for this year’s upcoming talent show!

I decided to take a trip to Janel’s house (with her permission) along with my friend/photographer Michelle to know more about her musical journey and lifestyle. We chatted while playing Cards Against Humanity and munching on traditional Filipino cuisine. After chatting she gave me a stunning mini-concert of her song “Paper Wings” on acoustic that blew me away!

What’s your name? Janel, I’m HolyVeins.

How old are you? Sixteen.

So where do you get your name HolyVeins from? It’s actually not as deep as people think it is, because when was thirteen I was like, “I need a cool Tumblr URL.” But then, I started writing poetry, at that time then I wrote a poem about a guy I used to like, then he broke my heart, and then I was like, “You can’t have all of me, these veins are holier than the light you see.”

What’s your style of music? That’s a hard question because the EP that I’m working on borders on different genres. There’s a few tracks that are indie folk and two tracks that are electronic and angry singing, then there’s one song that is punk.

So when I saw you performing on October 2013 was that your first time performing? It was my first time performing guitar, because I never really played guitar in public before, only the ukulele.

Were you nervous? Because I know it’s a new school and new environment. I was really nervous. I only had my friend at the time to support me, I went up thinking no one is going to know me when I go up on stage. And it’s nerve-racking because you have to make a name for yourself and it will define you for the rest of your high school years.

What was the first song you wrote? I guess “Paper Wings,” it was real 3AM writing.

 

 

What’s your favorite song that you have written? I would say “Lovely” because in that song I wrote the weirdest lyrics there’s one line that goes, “You’re a mythical creature with your own special features.”

What inspired you to sing and do song writing? It’s mainly my family and the music I listened to growing up. My dad was a DJ when I was growing up, and I grew up listening to the music he remixed and he really liked jazz as well. My brother, he was like me in his high school years and he was learning guitar at fourteen and he wrote songs. He had an EP and would perform at High Tech’s version of “Open Mic Night.” Growing up, I wanted to follow what I’ve been taught in the years.

Who’s your biggest musical influence? Halsey, she influenced me to be really honest with my music.

Why is music so important to you? It’s been the only thing I’ve ever really known and I grew up around it. Music is the only way I can express myself, you let the music speak for you, it helps me talk in a world that doesn’t want me to speak.

Do you have any future plans for your music besides your EP? I’m definitely going to keep working on the EP (hopefully comes out in the Spring). I also hope to start making YouTube covers regularly because my dad really wants me to. Since I have to go to college soon I’ll make music on the side and see wherever it takes me.

What’s your favorite place to hang out in JC? I go to the Warehouse Cafe a lot on 140 Bay Street.

The song you’re performing “Paper Wings” for us, what is it about? For a year, I was infatuated with a guy. I wrote that song when he was back home near me and I just felt really nostalgic about when we were in this back and forth chase, except I was the only one chasing him and he was running away. So I felt he made wings for me to fly, but they were only paper and I felt he cut them up.

http://www.bandcamp.com/holyveins 

http://www.soundcloud.com/holyveins

http://www.tumblr.com/holyveins

About the writer:

As a Jersey City native, the community has changed within the blink of an eye. The buildings are getting taller, restaurants are expanding, the population is increasing with diversity, but one thing that hasn’t changed is my love for this city. I’m an extrovert who loves to meet new people, no matter where I go. I crave knowledge and become an intrigued when I learn something new. Jersey City has taught me to break out of my comfort zone and explore what the city has in store for you. 

I grew up in Greenville, a convenient area to live because of its location near the border between Bayonne and Jersey City (West 63rd St and Kennedy Blvd) and the location of Route 440 to get on Route I-89. Greenville is a very a diverse borough, yet holds a large population of Filipinos and Italians. In 2013 when Hurricane Sandy hit, Greenville held the most damage from the horrible flooding from the nearby Hudson River. The place I grew up in was turning into a ghost town because families were fleeing their home in fear of another storm damaging their homes, the trees that once blossom were being cut down to avoid the branches crashing into houses and card. After the hurricane, Greenville’s reputation was hurt because of its high rate of abandoned homes and crime. Some people do not see the good side of my hometown, and I want to change its reputation and shape it into something positive through the power of social media.

Writing is a very versatile used to communicate and express thoughts or emotions. I believe words are a powerful weapon. My love of writing (and the arts) began as a young girl and my skills are growing stronger everyday. I still aim to make Jersey City a positive place to visit and live throughout its growing process. As Jersey grows, the people grow along with it. I’m excited to what my writing has in store for the city.

http://www.instagram.com/bigpoppalauren

http://www.tumblr.com/freefridakahlo

http://www.twitter.com/bigpoppalauren