Remember way back when in the 90’s, when chicks ruled the airwaves? Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morrisette are just a few of the ladies whose emotion vocally flooded our speakers.  Fast forward to now, when the voice of female perspective in alternative music is essentially nonexistent.  Thank goodness for Jennifer Quiroz, our answer to the 90’s withdrawals we’ve all been having.  Jennifer Quiroz is a solo acoustic singer/songwriter whose lyrics are easy to relate to and whose voice evokes what some of us didn’t even know we felt.

Jennifer: I was a kid in the 90s, so I think that subconsciously, some of that sound couldn’t help but seep in. I was obsessed with Fiona Apple and Tidal as a kid. She had that low, emotional, brooding voice that I could sing along with and raw, emotional lyrics that I could relate to…in thinking about it, I was probably really influenced to write honest and confessional lyrics by her.

Jennifer: So close. It really is “my story.” I write mostly from experience, so I relate to all of my songs, but that song in particular I really feel is “my story.”

Jennifer: Yes, lol. I work a lot and I’m so in love with music and writing. It’s my first love. Outside of music, I can be a hard girl to pin down, but I do really try to balance as much as I can and carve out time for the people and things that I love. I’m really blessed to have some amazingly supportive, understanding, and encouraging family and friends in my life.

Jennifer: Inspiration strikes at random times. I’m a big believer that the songs come through me, not from me…so you never know when a line will pop into your head. I keep a little notebook with me at all times, so I can jot the idea down before it slips back out of me. I think my overall arching inspiration though was watching my dad have a miraculous recovery after being really ill. I had writer’s block mixed with stage fright for many years, but after helping my dad heal and witnessing a miracle, everything changes…and I found the strength and inspiration to go for my dreams….and suddenly had a wealth of feeling and gratitude to write about. That experience helped me tap into something inside that is still where I write from today.

Jennifer: Sometimes I’ll get hit on in environments that I wish would be more professional, and I don’t think it’s safe for a girl to be traveling/touring around the country by herself crashing on stranger’s couches, but other than that, I really don’t feel limited or that being a girl makes things difficult. I kinda love being a girl

Jennifer: I think this continually changes. Sometimes it’s “The Story;” sometimes a song I play live a lot, but that isn’t on the EP called “I Can’t Stop;” sometimes it’s the newest song I’ve written; sometimes I find a new niche or a new connection with an audience through an older song  and that becomes a favorite moment….it’s such a fluid, changing thing.

Though I haven’t actually spoken with Jennifer in person, I already feel like I know her through our emails and through her music. You can get to know Jennifer too, by giving her music some love HERE or by following her video blog HERE. She’s got two shows coming up on both sides of the good ol’ U.S of A. To see which one is happening near you, visit her website.