Spring is the time for blooming, and hidden in the warm, enchanting melodies of her music: Journey Montana radiantly shines through.
Harlem made, this R&B superstar is unafraid of the spotlight, making a big splash on both the music scene, and by acting on the CW hit “All American.” From her appreciation for gospel, to her chic fashion sense, and growing streams on her project STARGIRL, and singles – Journey Montana has all of the makings of R&B’s next superstar. We caught up with her to learn what inspires her creative process, which fashion trends she’s vibing with, and which two Scorpios she’s dying to make a song with. We all know it isn’t about the destination – it’s all about (the) Journey.
When did you know you wanted to pursue music?
Probably my first talent show that I did, I was really really young, and I sang Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston. That was kind of the first time I dove into Whitney, I learned so many of her songs. I was trying to pick one [for the talent show] and I got into the women killing R&B like Etta James. I won the talent show, and the reaction from people really inspired me, even the other kids. You know when you find something that’s so impactful, and could just change the mood of an entire room? That was kind of when I decided that this is what I want to do when I grow up.
What other artists have inspired your sound as an artist?
I grew up listening to a lot of gospel music, but when I kind of found out about Whitney, I dove into Etta James a lot, I’m a huge fan of hers since I was a little girl. I really resonate with that and I try to kind of carry that with me as I create my music. Drake is another artist that I feel kind of changed my perspective on music and songwriting – that really planted a seed in me that said there’s this way to write a song, and this way to write a song and you can tell it this way.
Another person, is maybe Jhené Aiko; she’ll be talking crazy, but it sounds so pretty. You know? It’s mellow, and she sounds so pretty, soft, and nice but she’s cursing you out, and I feel enjoy that kind of contrast. I feel like SZA is another one, when I heard her debut album, it changed my life. I saw a woman doing that, and doing it so well, having that same energy – she’s so good, so I think she’s another artist that has really stuck with me.
As your career and life progresses, what goals are you planning to achieve (both short-term and long-term)?
Okay, one of my goals is just to reach as many people as I can, and positively impact as many people as I can. I would also like to put my album out, have my album out, and maybe win some awards – a Grammy or two. That and some cool collaborations with SZA or Drake. I would say it’s probably a tie between Drake and SZA. Wait, another thing – they’re both Scorpios, and I’m a Scorpio, so my Scorpio twins. Imagine me, Drake, and SZA on the record?! Okay Scorpio season that’s what we’re calling it!
I also feel like I want to perform at some award shows and really do it up. One of my biggest goals has been to be like an EGOT, because I like to act.
Aside from music, what passions make you, you?
I really like to paint, I think hand in hand with that is makeup because I feel like it takes the same precision. I’ve always been really into makeup; in school, I was in choir, so I used to do everybody’s makeup for the shows. Literally, a line of 20 girls and I was just doing everybody’s eyebrows, and their foundation and concealer.
I really like words and books. I feel like that’s a big thing for me. I like to read and I like to write whether it’s just short stories or journal entries. I love movies and TV too – I’m really into film.
Looking at your feed you are quite the fashionista. If you could revive one fashion trend what would you bring back and what would you get rid of forever?
Rid of forever? Okay, let me think. I think if I could bring something back, it would be like the backwards jeans. Like from crisscross. I’ve always thought of doing that. I think that would be so cool. I might just do it. And then something like I would kill forever? I don’t know, what’s something I would get rid of forever that I hated?
Daria: I would have gotten rid of like peplum shirts because why were we wearing that?
J: Yeah, yeah, I agree, I agree. Okay, so I’m stealing that one.
D: Because why were we looking business casual in like the eighth grade?
J: Like- I don’t know.
D: Put that away.
J: Oh my gosh, yeah.
I also noticed the overall fashion trends can all be put into like nails, if that makes sense. The bows are coming back, the coquette aesthetic – even mixing that with like camo. I think that’s a thing, I just love the patterns on nails right now, it’s giving early 2000s, very Y2K. That’s probably my favorite trend right now. Next time I get my nails done, I’m getting like the cheetah print nails.
What are some of your style inspirations? And where do you look when you’re in the mood to experiment?
I definitely tap into a lot of 90s, early 2000s. As a little girl, I kind of always tapped into my younger self because that’s the core of who I am. You know how they say trust your first mind? I kind of think of my younger self, as my first mind. So whatever I loved as a little girl, I definitely take note of that. I was a big fan, I am still, of Avril Lavigne and that whole era with the pink streaks and the checkered miniskirts and the, what is it, the knit, what is it? Fishnet stockings! And the boots and the skulls. I love Avril Lavigne, that was one of my favorite artists when I was kind of getting into pop and just scouring YouTube.
I feel like another one is Rihanna. I love, love Rihanna. Another one is the girl groups back in the day, I look at them for inspo a lot of the time: Destiny’s Child and TLC. I think that they had a dope style. Especially with having different vibes for each person in the group, while still making it connect. I would say Aaliyah is another one for sure. Aaliyah is iconic. Yeah, there’s a bunch, honestly. I love Christina Aguilera also. Really, really, really cute. Fashion girly. On the low though, like I think a lot of people didn’t peep it all the time, and then J. Lo. That’s like the last one, I think – J. Lo.
Even though you are proudly Harlem-raised, have you used other cities as inspiration for any of your new music? If so, how?
I feel like Atlanta definitely played a part in a lot of the production; there was this one song “STARGIRL” that was originally just a whole bunch of synths, violins, and piano sounds. It was very spacey and empty; we had the idea to add some Atlanta trap-like drums on there. Mariah the Scientist does that a lot, which I think is cool, when Atlanta trap drums that sound like 21 Savage is supposed to be on it, and then you’re singing.
What songs are currently on repeat?
I like Destin Conrad’s new project Submissive, that’s been on repeat. I’m a big fan of Destin, so I feel like “Bills” and “Same Mistake” with Destin and Alex Isley is amazing – that song is on repeat right now. Bring back the real R&B, that’s what it’s giving. I love Maeta right now, she’s dope, Ambré is dope also. A lot of the newer R&B people are just killing it, I love it! Samaria is another one that’s on my radar, I love her – she’s from the Bay I think and then of course SZA’s new project SOS has been on repeat, love her her first and second albums, they’re both on repeat.
As your fan base continues to grow, what is the first thing you’d want your audience to learn about you?
I feel like a lot of my music is me being transparent about my struggles and the things that I’ve gone through. [My music] is like a safe space, we can be real here. I’m here to be that outlet, and create that safe space for the girls who still keep it pushing, and are still baddies despite having gone through some stuff and having dealt with things. Your struggles are valid. Your feelings are valid. I think that’s one of the biggest things I’d want them to know. Because even in my day-to-day life, I just try to validate everybody’s feelings; if somebody’s coming to me feeling something, even if I don’t quite understand it, it’s still valid.
Lastly, as you evolve as an artist and as a woman, what makes you feel truly grown?
I feel grown when I’m in the bed with my glass of wine and my robe, cause I just got into robes. I’m in my robe with my satin sheets and I like have just taken a shower and exfoliated. And I have my eye mask ready to put on and I’m just like watching a movie with my wine in the bed. That’s when I feel grown.
CREDITS:
Photographer: Jacarrea Garraway
Creative Director: Amber Lauren
Producer: Kaya Nova
Writer: Daria Yazmiene
Stylist: Kyanna Renée Styles
Makeup Artist: Ashley St. Flavin
Hair Stylist: Che Stylez
Movement Director: Janika
Wardrobe Provided By:
