Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline (ArwenStarsong) Gomez.
Hi Jacqueline, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
So basically, music has kind of been around for most of my life for me. The first ever time I learned how to sing was around when I turned four. A cousin of mine taught me how. Then my dad as well as I was growing up, taught me how to sing. Then I started taking actual voice lessons when I was a preteen to a teenager. Around that time was a lot of when nu metal was becoming a thing. So a lot of the bands that I was listening to were bands like Evanescence, LINKIN PARK, POD (which is more Christian rock), etc… and then in high school my voice lesson is kind of expanded to. I actually wanted to learn how to sing like Amy Lee of Evanescence. So basically her music became my repertoire for practicing how to sing. In high school as well I got introduced to the world of symphonic metal with bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation, Delain, and such… these bands actually became a very huge part of who I was as a person and as a musician. And as I got older and more into writing music, I was very inspired by them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t really been so smooth. When I began to actually get fully into the writing phase of being a musician for the first time, it was actually around the time when YouTube was starting to become a popular platform. I would see all these bands, getting their Headstart on my space and on things like Twitter and stuff but then when you two started becoming a thing I thought hey why not give that a shot? I went and got myself a MacBook and started using GarageBand to write myself music. I started practicing how to use it.. and eventually that’s how my first ever work Dark Cloud came about. And on the Internet, you know that there’s a bunch of trolls and a bunch of haters and people commenting how you’re not that great and being really mean for no reason it’s been a thing since the beginning of the Internet. Honestly, that has been one of the bigger parts of my struggle because for a very long time, I actually cared about these people’s opinions. Lol! But then I came to realize I got older and still kept at it that I know that I love doing what I do and the opinions of all these people online shouldn’t matter.
I also know that during the writings of my first two albums, I was actually going through a lot mentally. One of the songs that I had come out with on my studio debut album, The Gallows Tree, is a revival of one of the very first songs I ever wrote, which I had written in the hospital after i attempted on my life. A lot of the music that I write is kind of focused on all of these feelings of sadness, loneliness, and anger that I had felt during those years now I kind of focus more on other topics, but a lot of my songs focus on those feelings that are very human.
In my humble opinion, I kind of feel like if anyone says they’ve had a smooth road in this particular field they’re lying. Every human has their own story and no story is ever written without some sort of struggle.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an independent musician that specializes in metal music. Entirely independent. The only people that help me are the friends that I have that play guitar better than I do and help me bring my mix to life.
(Thank you to Morgan Keeney, James Delbridge of Lycanthro, and Jack Kosto of Seven Spires).
Those who have found me know me because I’m the goofball with a hurdy gurdy who writes heavy songs about love, loneliness, grief, and anger. I’m also known for once in a while, doing a cappella covers of anime music or opera. :). Honestly, the most proud I have been in my entire career is that there have been several people that have come forward that said that my music helped them get through a rough time in their life and that it’s all I could’ve ever dreamed of and asked for as a musician. Because I know I’ve been there too.
As far as what sets me apart from everyone else? I take myself seriously. But I also don’t take myself seriously all the time. Honestly, I feel like some people take themselves far too seriously in this field and once in a while, you gotta let loose and have fun with it. Yes it could make people question your sanity, but you only live once. And I say make every moment count and make every moment fun.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is making a difference in this world. We live in a very harsh world right now there’s lots of war going on lots of hatred amongst people.. honestly my only goal is to be that beacon of light that maybe makes people not hate each other so much. I want people to realize that the world can be a beautiful despite everything going on. I want them to know that even if they’re sad, lonely, angry or feeling like they’re lost there’s always a way and they can be the change in their life that they want to see. And with that they can also change the world for the better. That to me is the most important thing: love above all else.
Pricing:
- My new single, Exorcism is out on June 26th and CAN be presaved right now on all platforms!
- I am a quick Google search away. And I’m also on every streaming platform.
- I have two merch shops on my official website and also on Etsy.
- You can also access all of my stuff, including all of the above mentioned things on this link: https://linktr.ee/arwenstarsongofficial
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arwenstarsongmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arwenstarsongofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArwenStarsong
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/ArwenStarsongMusic
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/vsJGFRd7cmLv0R4gVa
- Other: https://linktr.ee/arwenstarsongofficial
