Jillian Dolan
Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2022
Music
Press
What kind of music will you be performing at 11Fest?
I will be performing some original songs and some covers from different ranges of music. You will be hearing some 70s/80s covers and some modern-day songs! I like to explore all areas of music because they are all so special and fun to perform.
What are your musical influences/favorite artists?
My musical influences are mainly older artists. My favorite band is Fleetwood Mac but I also love The Rolling Stones, U2, Led Zeppelin, The Smiths, Eagles, R.E.M and many others. Some more modern artists that I appreciate would be Hozier, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles.
What is it like going to an arts high school?
Going to an arts school is definitely a very different experience from going to a regular public school. I get to start a couple hours of my day only focusing on music. I have our music theory classes, music history, choirs and vocal tech classes for half the day and then all of my core classes for the rest of the day. It is added-on work, going to this school, but it is very worth it. There are different majors within my school so depending on a person’s major (which can vary from literary or visual art, dance, production, theatre and vocal) they will have different classes.
How does it feel to be participating in 11Fest this year?
I feel very excited to be participating in this performance. It will be a fun way to meet new people and see other people’s sets.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I like to think that my name will be out there as a musician. I would love for people to hear my original work since I write and produce my own music. If I could perform on a big stage with a magnificent show that makes people feel happy, my life would be made. I have always wanted people to connect with my music and find emotions that they possibly didn’t know they felt because music has always been able to do that for me. If I could do that for just one person, then I think my job as a musician will be complete.
If you were a ghost who would be the first person you haunt?
If I was a ghost I would probably haunt someone that I was never able to meet in real life. Possibly a celebrity like Bono or Harry Styles. I would just want to see how they live their life and interact with people off camera. - Dominic Trabosci
Discography
Jillian Dolan's original songs are made a stories and experiences throughout her life. Allowing poetic lyrics while telling a straight forward stories that others can relate to was very important to her. She wants to create emotional songs that people can relate to and not think too hard about. On the contrary, Jillian also writes very vague and open for interpretation songs. Her original, "Broken Words," which she submitted into a songwriting competition got high compliments lyrically.
The music and lyrics are meant to compliment each other with the feeling of longing and understanding. She often provides little instrumental breaks where she lets the piano or guitar take the feeling and lead the listener to feel what is being conveyed. As she attempts with all her songs, she doesnt just want the lyrics to tell the story, but the music as well.
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Bio
Based in Pennsylvania, Jillian Dolan is an 19 year old folk/alt singer/songwriter. Her lyricism is deeply rooted in poetry and she strives for her listeners to have an irreplicable and individual interpretation of her songs. Jillian attends university as a music production major in Lancaster, PA. Recorded and mixed all in Jillian’s bedroom, each song of “Broken Words,” reflects moments of observation, doubt, and isolation. Her music is a mix of techniques learned on guitar, piano, and voice from over the years. There are mixes of ragtime piano and “Bob-Dylan” or “Lindsey Buckingham,” type travis guitar picking. Along with that, there are notable folk, indie pop and country inspirations. Vocally, while she sings in a contemporary style, it is easy to hear her classical vocal training shine through in her layered high soprano harmonies. Her newly released EP showcases all the genres that she grew up with and learned from. This mix of genres is able to create a full and unique sound in Jillian’s music. The songs released on this album were written between 2020-2021, when she started experimenting with chord progressions and lyrics. As Jillian continues to release more music, the evolution of her songwriting and musicality will expose itself. She spends hours of her days writing and replacing broken guitar strings from experimental tunings. Currently and always, her music is becoming more technical and less straight forward lyrically but with that, even more meaningful.
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