Natalie Jane: The Viral Sensation Talks New EP And World Tour
Photo courtesy of Universal Music Group
By Emma Trabazo
Natalie Jane has earned success from a series of viral releases that struck listeners through her relatable reflections on heartbreak. Her catchy beats and heartfelt melodies have earned her a loyal following, garnering over 9.9M TikTok followers and 360M likes. With her recently released EP, “Sick to My Stomach,” and a hit single featured on the soundtrack of Netflix’s “The Uglies,” Natalie Jane is quickly gaining momentum. Yet, she remains dedicated to her audience, taking time to discuss her latest project and upcoming world tour during a press conference hosted by Universal Music Group’s 1824 on Wednesday, October 23rd.
Reflecting on her artistic evolution from her early work to her latest project, “Sick to My Stomach,” Jane acknowledged significant personal growth. She recalled starting her songwriting career with a track written while she was still in high school. “From the beginning of that project to the end of ‘Sick to My Stomach,’ I’ve just grown so much, and I’ve experienced so much more,” she said.
Collaborating with new people and broadening her network, Jane continues to enrich her creative process, allowing her to explore different sounds and write more profound lyrics. She asserts that as she evolves as a person, so does her music.
Jane often blends diverse genres like rock, synth-pop, and R&B while still preserving her unique vocals that make her music unmistakable her own. “I think what ties everything together at the end of the day is the vocal,” said Jane, noting that vocal performance and the emotion conveyed transcend genre.
Jane recently had her song “The Top” featured in “The Uglies” movie, released on Netflix in September. Jane detailed the unexpected yet meaningful encounter with the movie. Capitol Records set up a songwriting session a year prior with a specific request: “We don’t want it to be about love, and we don’t want it to be, like, about a boy.” Jane laughed as she recalled accepting the challenge.
About a year later, she “kind of just forgot about it” and was stunned to hear it had been selected for “The Uglies,” a book she loved growing up. She admitted that learning that her song would be part of the adaptation left her in tears. “It felt very full circle,” she said.
When highlighting a pivotal moment or influence that has shaped her musical identity in unexpected ways, the artist pointed to social media as a transformative force. “Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am able to be today,” said Jane, emphasizing how it can serve as “free marketing.”
Unlike 10 or 20 years ago, today’s artists enjoy a level of creative freedom that allows them to express themselves authentically, with more power to curate their own image. “I can sing the songs I want to sing, write what I want to write, and just post it without anyone’s approval or permission,” said Jane, celebrating the empowerment that social media brings to her artistry.
While social media can be a double-edged sword, the concert atmosphere fosters a sense of community and encouragement for her. “What I think is so beautiful about the tour is everyone that’s there wants to be there and just loves the music and loves the environment,” she noted, “It’s just a room full of love.”
The presence of fans who genuinely want to see her succeed contributes significantly to her well-being on tour. “A hater is not going to buy a ticket,” she quipped, joking that if they did, she would gladly welcome their support.
While she has had a swift ascent, Jane has identified both the joys and challenges of her journey, recognizing the privilege of being able to turn her passion for singing into a career and pursue her dreams.
Jane highlights the spontaneity that continues to drive her creative process. “That’s the beauty…you, like, don’t really know what’s gonna come next. You kind of just do what you’re feeling in the moment,” she explained.
She embraces the unpredictability of her artistic journey, admitting, “I don’t know what I’m gonna be doing in two or three years… it could be completely different, or it could be identical.” For Natalie, the beauty of music lies in its fluidity, in the change and exploration, and she’s embracing the future.