Often an artist’s debut album is full of songs that have been rattling around for many years, even more than a decade. This is why the term “sophomore slump” exists in the music business, because a follow-up album with fresh material is easier said than done. We can happily report that Jillian Jones has cleared these hurdles and her second studio album is a big leap forward for her career. Her new album Perfectly Clear (available on iTunes now) has been described as “sweet and powerful.” It’s ten songs of spiritual encouragement cut from the same cloth as Ginny Owens, JJ Heller, Jason Gray, & Ellie Holcomb. We had a chance to interview her this week…

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Q&A WITH JILLIAN JONES

UTR: Was music an important part of your childhood?
Jillian: Yes, some of my earliest memories involve music. I remember taking my naps, as a 3 or 4 year old, in front of the speakers of our family’s record player so I could listen to Whitney Houston’s first album. I sang my first solo in our church when I was 4 – my mom played the piano and I stood backwards so I wouldn’t have to look at anyone. From elementary to high school, I was always singing, playing the piano, participating in every music opportunity that came my way, and constantly seeking out new artists to listen to and learn from.

UTR: When did you feel inspired to start writing and performing music on a professional level?
Jillian:  I went to college for music, got my degree in music performance, and then didn’t see a way to move forward into music as a career. So, I stopped pursuing it and focused on starting our family. About 7 years later, I experienced a really challenging pregnancy with our second child. He was born healthy, so I relaxed and let my guard down. A few days later, I was diagnosed with a health complication that really scared me and it was a catalyst for postpartum anxiety. For a season, I was afraid to leave home. During that time, I thought a lot about my purpose in life and really felt God calling me back to music, even though it seemed impossible. But I just kept taking baby steps forward, started songwriting for the first time in my life, and things kind of took off from there.

UTR: You just released your sophomore album Perfectly Clear. What are the overall themes of the project?
Jillian:  When I was writing this record, I was thinking a lot about significant doubt and perfect faith. Every day, I live somewhere in between the two. Some days, I’m closer to faith. Some days, I’m closer to doubt. And that’s ok. God knows where I am and is willing to meet me right in that place with His mercy and love. There are also themes of identity and community – two things I love to talk about.

UTR:  The album closes with “Listening For Trains” – what is the inspiration behind that song?
Jillian: “Listening For Trains” was written specifically about my battle with postpartum anxiety. I wrote it on the way home from a songwriting conference called Write About Jesus. It was a really short flight from St. Louis to Minneapolis, but I had written the entire lyric by the time I landed. That trip was the first time I’d traveled alone since dealing with postpartum anxiety and the whole time, I felt like I was only partially focused on what was going on around me. Another small part of me felt cautious and on guard, feeling like fear was going to attack me at any moment. I hated the distraction it was – how it pulled me away from enjoying the present moments, how it stole the peace I knew I had in Christ. So writing this song was my way of saying I’d had enough and was not going to live like that anymore.

UTR:  What are some of the things that inspire you as a songwriter?
Jillian:  I feel like my creativity comes alive when I’m on Minnesota’s north shore of Lake Superior. I’m definitely an introvert and spend a lot of time observing the world around me. I pay close attention to relationships, conflict and the way those things make me feel. Processing them into a lyric helps me deal with things in the world that I don’t understand. I read a lot and look to the Bible for lyric inspiration, as well as poetry and classic works. Musically, I try to listen to a wide range of genres and artists to keep my ear fresh and diverse.

UTR: What do you hope the listener of Perfectly Clear experiences?
Jillian:  I hope a listener hears honesty and vulnerability in the lyrics. That they’ll hear something and think, “I’ve felt that too, but never said it out loud.” I pray the songs give people courage to share their stories, a deeper connection in their relationships, and peace in whatever place they’re in today.