Discover Top Posts Tagged with #the jse

used on songs in the key of jay sharp and on melodius acensxion.

#rickenbacker #jay sharp #the jse #songs in the key of #jay sharp esquire

So myself(Natalia McCarty) and Jay Sharp represented our band The JSE on an episode of Rew & Who today. We were really happy to be a part of it.

If you are in the nyc area come to our show at the Studio at Webster Hall November 24th at 730 pm. Only 10 bucks!!

#music #the jse #natalia mccarty #jay sharp #rew starr #rew & who

Sunday November 24th, Studio at Webster Hall. Tickets are 10 bucks! Come out!!!

I perform at 8pm with the Pretentious Pretenses

Then I perform at 10pm with the JSE. So so excited!!!!!

#show #webster hall #the studio #the jse #pretentious pretenses #music #concert

Ive been Interviewed in a Plus Sized Magazine!!!

Hey everyone I was interviewed in a magazine called Revista Belleza XL. Im on page 74 and I discuss my band The JSE's music, being plus sized, fashion, being Latina, etc.

http://issuu.com/revistabellezaxl/docs/final17t7/2

The magazine is in spanish but here is a translation of the article. Its a rough translation. I did my best.

Ten years may sound easy but to live it is another story. Along with this issue, the band, The JSE with the latina singer Natalia McCarty celebrate a decade together, and we celebrate with Revista Belleza XL with honor where we do a retrospective of good and not so good moments.

Natalia as a pioneer and plus sized woman in the world of music confesses to us….

When and why did you start with this band?

Really I started out as an actress. Growing up in this world I was terrified to do things on my own, I don't think that I have ever sung by myself, despite that I always loved the idea to pretend to be someone bigger than myself on stage. I love to entertain. when Im up there I still consider myself an actress.

Going back to the origin of the JSE, I met Jay working at a promotion company in 2000 and we became friends. After that he was in a band called, The Stereolites. When the front man was sent to Iraq, Jay stated his own music project. I had sung backing vocals for a song or two for the Stereolites and I had written songs but I didn't have the basic understanding of how to be a musician. My goal was to be a actress so I never thought of doing anything else.

Jay asked me if I could join him on his project and I ended up becoming an important member of the band. We have worked on songs together and I actually wrote songs on my own as well and it has been magical. This started in 2002. Day after day I give much thanks to Jay for all I know about music and how to be a musician.

How do you feel being the only girl in the band?

Its funny - laughs Natalia - I never thought about it until I was already on stage. The reality is I feel very very powerful and sexy. I feel very demanding when Im on stage. When it finally dawned on me that I was in fact the only girl in the process of making music though I am very aware that its Jay and myself equally contributing to the creative process.

But yes, I feel like Im on top of the world when Im up there.

What kind of music do you play?

I always have a hard time answering this question because its hard to say when we are more than one genre. The easy answer is rock. The detailed answer is Psychedelic Rock. Personally, I don't believe in structuring and specifying music towards one genre when there are so many in the world that inspires us.

Jay is influenced by bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Television, Radiohead just to name a small few. Personally I am influenced by Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Annie Lennox, and recently Amanda Palmer.

What does it mean to you, Nati as a plus sized woman to front a band? What has the experience been like?

I love that you call me Nati, Jen! My mom calls me that all the time and its a name I don't hear often aside from her - laughs Natalia.

To be a plus sized woman in a band hasn't been easy. To maintain self esteem in the entertainment industry being THIN is difficult. Imagine what its like when you're plus sized. Society and the media tell us that women like me can not be beautiful, sexy , and deserving of positive attention.

We work with other musicians in New York City that we meet up to both socialize and sometimes possibly work with us in the future. We are a community. There have been times when our sound was great to people but we weren't accepted because people believe that a band with a fat chick fronting it could be successful.

Its really sad, because my goal is to change what society thinks which now is beyond realistic. It isn't easy but at the same time I have noticed that there I CAN change the minds of a lot of people that have thought negatively before. That keeps me going. I'm always happy when we overcome obstacles like that.

What has been the most fun and the most difficult experience with your band?

The most fun was during the rehearsals for our second record release show for our album Melodius Ascensxion Befvore the Fall to Dead we had asked about 11 of our talented musician friends to be part of our concert. While were practicing a song called 24 Years (The Same Song), one of our bass players, Susan Potoroka decided to just spontaneously dance around like a chicken. Then she actually did it on stage with total confidence that night and was joined with our other bass player Alex "Nappy" Gonzalez in the craziness in concert. Everyone had so much fun to see them I can still remember that moment in my head.

The most difficult moment was on my birthday a few years ago. We had a problem with our drummer. He had a lot of problems with his job and he was not capable of rehearsing for the show so he couldn't perform with that night that we had booked already. So on my birthday we couldn't get another drummer. The person who booked us insisted that we needed at least 25 people there. We thought it was an easy task its something we had done often in the past. This time it just didn't happen.

We also couldn't play the best we could.I was embarrassed and devastated. To be a success as a musician in New York City isn't easy. Not just anyone can do it without support and without a Manager its even more difficult.

We were able to go above this adversity like any that we have faced because we love this. We love the music and what we do and will continue to do so as long as we can.

What feedback does Natalia receive for being a plus sized woman by your fans?

Honestly, I receive beautiful and positive feedback. It does truly surprise me. The reality is we are constantly told that our music is incredible. We work really hard to bring a great show to the people. We have made albums that have done great without the help of record company or huge contract. The reality is people check our our music then see my image and say "Wow she is beautiful, strong, and brave. Why cant i be like that? I should try!" Thats indescribable. I want to express and convey positivity in all that I do.

Has being plus sized made it easier or harder to sell the band to the industry?

Its a question difficult to answer to be honest. I know Beth Ditto opened a door for a lot of us. Women like Romeo Void, Ann Wilson, and many more had their moments in the 80s.

The reality is sadly to be a marketable band they look for people who are thin, and I don't let that bother me. I have a powerful voice, am talented, and we are always considered different just because if my size. I have the firm conviction that my band, despite the prejudices that my size brings are worthy for success even if sadly the industry isn't in a rush to see it that way.

So 10 years, Wow! Its easy to say but not easy to live and experiment. What do you think is the secret for a band to have 10 years rocking and rolling the world?

We are friends, pure and simple. Many have said that its not a smart move to make music with friends but I believe its a blessing to work with people that you consider family.

For this super special anniversary, what are the plans to celebrate?

Our main plan is a concert of celebration at the famous Arlene's Grocery in Manhattan, June 21st. We are celebrating with many friends on the stage. We also are intent on getting the public to know our music, we want to expand. Not just in North America but internationally.

What are the plans for you brand in the near future?

We are working on our 3rd album which is yet untitled. We are waiting for our muse to give us the perfect name! The rest of our plans will be surprises and that makes us very happy!

Being a woman in the world of music, how do you manage being plus sized? Along with being a Latina in the United States?

I love fashion! I want to be able to buy everything I see - Laughs Natalia - I admit its frustrating. Here in the United States we are actually very conservative despite what you may think and Im not even talking about being plus sized where we are taught to cover it all up and its bad to show off your skin. We are told how things are. What is designed for a thin woman doesn't normally look great on a plus sized woman. We have more volume, more meat, more boobs, legs, and its very easy to lose good taste.

If you are a bold plus size woman who wants to wear whatever you feel like, you are looked at like you are crazy or you just make bad fashion decisions.

We need to be brave and be happy with what we are going to wear. I like to wear clothing that is unique and brave, like my style of music. I love punk, rockabilly/pinup styles, in truth I like all styles but those are my favorites. I feel fabulous when I wear that.

When I go to Puerto Rico where my mother is from its a whole other world. Men look at me differently. They look in my eyes, they smile, flirt with me. I remember one time in the Plaza des Americas Mall there was this woman about 300 pounds dressed in Daisy Duke shorts and a bikini top. She walked down the corridor like it was a runway. No one looked her up and down, no one judged her. Know why? Because she felt like she looked great and so she DID look great. If that happened in the United States from the moment she walked out of her house people would be mortified at how she was dressed. They say to be a plus size is a bad thing but it isn't. We need to learn to be happy with who we are despite how we look.

What fashion tips do you give to the readers?

I always tell people to wear whatever they want to wear. If you don't feel good buying it DONT BUY IT! Never buy something just to fit in. I also say that if you are dressing like a slut because you are trying to build up your self esteem is a bad idea but covering yourself up because of the same reason is also not an good option.

Make sure you know your body and your measurements. If you are going to buy online make sure you check out the sizing charts and buy according to your measurements and figure. Something can look great on the model but it doesn't mean its going to look good on you. Being realistic is a priority.

#interview #music #the jse #natalia mccarty #revista belleza xl #spanish #latina #plus size

Bar Star makes a welcome return too

#the jse