Unplugged Lounge Conversations with Jenna Louise

In a world where vulnerability is often filtered and polished, UK-based singer-songwriter Jenna Louise offers something refreshingly real. With her new single “Better With Us”, she leans into connection, crafting a heartfelt track that radiates warmth and sincerity. Collaborating with The Dunwells, Jenna blends pop-rock energy with acoustic intimacy, creating a sound that feels both familiar and beautifully her own. But beyond the melody lies a story — one of resilience, rediscovery, and unwavering authenticity. In this interview with Sonic Sisters Magazine, Jenna opens up about her musical beginnings, creative inspirations, and the emotional truth that drives every note she sings.

Thanks for chatting with us at Sonic Sisters Magazine! Can you share a bit about how your journey into music began? 

Thank you so much for having me! Wow, where do I start? The baby that was born a karaoke star, or when I found out I loved to write! I've always loved music from a very young age. I grew up obsessed with the Spice Girls, SClub 7, loved a bit of Britney Spears and watched all of the music videos, making my own dances up to the songs I knew I wanted to sing. I had toy microphones, performed shows to my parents (not sure where the coordination has gone now though, I have two left feet!) Moving on through school and college, I performed in bands, played at charity events and studied Performing Arts. I left music to go and work in retail at 17 and had a break. Fast forward to 2017, I was given an experience day at a recording studio, and I never looked back. I started writing in 2018 after a year of recording covers, and I eventually finished my album in October 2023. 

Who have been some of the most significant influences on your musical style? 

I get really inspired by artists who pour emotion into every note. Ella Henderson, Jessie J, and Teddy Swims have such powerful vocal deliveries that you can’t help but feel every word they sing. When it comes to songwriting, I connect deeply with the honesty and storytelling of James Bay and Ella Henderson again – there’s a rawness in their lyrics that really resonates with me. I love the blend of emotion and energy you hear in tracks by Becky Hill, James Arthur, and Ed Sheeran. I also take a lot of inspiration from artists like Sinead Harnett, Lewis Capaldi, and Cat Burns – they each bring their own unique soul, vulnerability, and depth to their music, which is something I always try to reflect in my own projects. 

And which female musicians or women in the music industry have inspired your journey?

I take a lot of inspiration from legends such as Cher, Whitney Houston, Gabrielle and then through the years I loved P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Natalie Imbruglia and my most recent influences are Ella Henderson, Becky Hill, Clementine Douglas, Sinead Harnett, Cat Burns, Adele, Jessie J, and Carrie Underwood.

How do your personal experiences shape your songwriting, and what do you hope listeners take away from those connections? 

Music literally is my therapy. If I've gone through something, whether it be traumatic, happy, or sad, it will be made into a song of some sort. My album is called 'My Journey' and it quite frankly is that! The whole project has been made from the raw emotion from the experiences of my life. I do make the music personally to me but I do believe there is still an element of relatability that everyone can connect to. I hope that my listeners find happiness in my music and warmth. Some of my music tends to sit in that emotional, sometimes sad space – a bit melancholic, and I hope that people relate and know that sometimes it's ok to feel those emotions too - not everything is happy.

Congratulations on your brand-new release, ‘Better With Us’ - what inspired this particular release? 

'Better With Us' was created from pure love. To be honest, I wanted it to be the perfect 'first dance' for a wedding. I had a lot of ideas when I went into the studio, and the lyrics were inspired by the feeling I have when I'm with my partner and his children. I feel so at home and at peace in their presence that it made me think of one of the main hooks. These real moments, then paired with the work that Joe, Dave and I put in at the studio to make it into such a happy song, is what shaped 'Better With Us'.

What song (not your own) has had the biggest influence on you and why? 

Jessie J - Big White Room. This song has had so much impact on me as a person and in my career. It helped sway my decision to get back into music. I'd been listening to it for years prior, and it resonated so much with the lyrics that I then decided to cover the song and make it the first video I uploaded to Facebook. I couldn't bear to video myself singing it at the time through lack of confidence, so I just covered the camera, but the support I got was amazing so I decided to take it further. 

Is there a song in your catalog that holds a special personal meaning for you? We'd love to hear the story or inspiration behind it.

'Like i Do' I wrote this song in 2023 with the perfect 'wedding aisle' song in mind, and it was actually the first song I'd written, which was totally fictional. The past year has taught me that it was a manifestation of how I hoped I'd feel when finding the love of my life... and now I really resonate with my own song. I also perform this for brides to now walk down the aisle.

What are some of the aspirations you have for your music moving forward? 

I want my music to be heard by many, I want to connect with real people and real stories and build a network of people who love my storytelling through music. I'd love to headline my own shows and big performances. To be known as the perfect wedding songwriter would be amazing. I have alot of passion in helping upcoming artists get their spotlight so to be more involved in helping the younger generation get into music would be fab. I'd also love a songwriting session with my female icons - we can all dream. 

What advice would you give to emerging female artists who are just starting out in the music world? 

There is only ONE you. It is true when you hear to just be you because you're rare and you have your own ideas that no one else has. Don't be afraid to be different, be totally authentic, because a fan will buy into you and your personality because of you. Don't think an idea is silly, or not worth pursuing, because your mind has told you it's rubbish - keep them all written down because I promise 99% of those ideas always come back. The industry is hard, especially for women. We're compared all of the time to what beauty should look like because the standards on social media are channelling us to think like that. You've got a gift, remember the talent you have and stay in your lane - getting caught up in other people's successes and wondering why you aren't getting the same opportunities will weigh you down. 

Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers? 

I genuinely thought that at my age, I would be wasting my time, and I'm here proving to myself that people are listening to my music and actually enjoying it. I am so grateful for all of the help and support I've received so far, especially on this latest release. I'd love for the readers of Sonic Sisters Magazine to listen to my album as well as my new song - this really has been a journey, and I am super proud.