Features : Jett Jenkins Inspires New Generations with Her Rendition of a Timeless Hit

“I always played cover songs at my live shows, so I thought it would be interesting to record them and put them out there,” shares Jenkins of the concept behind her latest EP. Jett Jenkins’ sound can be described as a passionate harmony of indie and pop with influences ranging from Billie Eilish to Blondie.

Growing up in Dallax, Texas, Jenkins was raised on musical theatre. “My mom owned a music school, so I grew up doing musical theatre,” shares the artist. “But it wasn’t for me. I moved away from the dancing and acting portion. Singing was what I really enjoyed.” Along with singing, Jett Jenkins enjoyed playing the guitar—two skills which, when combined, would fuel her ability to write songs. Upon graduating high school, Jenkins relocated to New York to attend college and continue her passion for music.

Somewhere along the way, Jett Jenkins encountered life experiences that could only be soothed through music. “I took a step back and found through hard times in my life that songwriting was a cathartic process for me. That’s how it started—as therapy—and got me to where I am now.”

Deciding which songs to cover is organic for Jenkins. In the case of “Daredevil,” it was easy for Jett Jenkins to choose a song by Fiona Apple, who she considers to be a long-time inspiration in music and in life. “[This song] is a declaration of love to her and just a song I really wish I wrote because I love it so much,” she adds. The original “Daredevil” comes off Fiona Apple’s third album, which was the first one to captivate Jenkins. “It’s always been a special album for me. That song in particular, the bridge is special. The line ‘Seek me out, look at me’ really spoke to me. It says, ‘I know my own worth.’

It's not just the lyricism that captivates Jenkins. “Fiona Apple is also very assertive in her voice in that song—she stands her ground about who she is,” adds the artist. “She’s proud and won’t change for anyone. Her anger in the lyrics, and the emotion in the song are things I wanted to emulate.”

Jett Jenkins’ interpretation of “Daredevil” stays true to the original recording while adding Jenkins’ personal touch. “I kept the recording similar but more of my style,” adds Jenkins. “I wanted it to be an homage to her and I hadn’t really experimented with singing with that dept of emotion—but I wanted to play into it. She’s the queen of putting emotion in her voice.”

Alongside her producer, Jenkins remade and rerecorded the instrumentals with a modern flair. “We changed it a little, but overall, it’s the same tune. It has a different sound—more electric in a way.”

Although the song was not written by Jenkins, the process of rerecording a beloved hit empowered Jenkins to take ownership over the creative process. “It was one of the best recording experiences because I was really able to put my opinion into it, which is strange because it’s a cover, yet it felt weirdly mine in a way,” adds the artist.

Following in the footsteps of the women who inspired her newest project, Jett Jenkins hopes to inspire future generations of musicians with her work. Break Cover Volume I features all cover songs by female artists which will be released one at a time until the complete work comes out in February. Recently, Jenkins unveiled the second single off her album, a rendition of “Moves” by Suki Waterhouse. “The album is a collection of my favorite female artists who pushed me to where I am today. They’re all underground songs, not their popular ones.”

In 2024, listeners can anticipate an exciting new project from Jett Jenkins. “It’s really special and a step in a new direction for my sound,” teases the singer.

Make sure to stay connected to Jett Jenkins on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.

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