“A Little Goes A Long Way”
By Jayne and Jo (Emma Jayne Seslowsky and Kayla Jo Pichichero)
Interview by American Songwriter
Videos by American Songwriter
Jayne and Jo (Emma Jayne Seslowsky and Kayla Jo Pichichero) are the American Songwriter It’s A Wonderful Write Promotion winners for their song “A Little Goes A Long Way.” American Songwriter caught up with Seslowsky to get the story behind their song.
How long have you been songwriting?
I have been releasing my own original recorded music for 14 years, but I wrote my very first song when I was 9 with my two best friends, and we performed it in front of the third grade class. I’ve loved to express myself through writing for as long as I can remember.
Why did you enter American Songwriter’s It’s A Wonderful Write Promotion?
My dear friend and collaborator Kayla Jo Pichichero and I decided to start a new artist project last year called Jayne and Jo, focused on holiday music. As a Jewish person, I am always so disappointed by the lack of Hanukkah songs, so I decided to write my own! When I saw this contest around the time our project, “Menorahs and Mistletoe,” was released, I knew we had to enter. It was fate! Or maybe a Hanukkah miracle?
What was the inspiration behind your song, “A Little Goes A Long Way”?
This song is inspired by Jewish singer-songwriter, Debbie Friedman, specifically her song “Not By Might, Not By Power.” I wanted a Hanukkah song that didn’t focus on war, violence, or the Maccabees, but rather, the ancient miracle of the oil lasting eight nights. I wanted to encourage people to feel gratitude for what they have, see the humanity in all people, and think before they reach for more.
Who are your all-time favorite songwriters and why?
Carole King has always been the blueprint for me, even when I was extremely little listening to her children’s song “Chicken Soup with Rice.” In high school, my writing was shaped by Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, and Kate Nash, all with their deeply honest and vulnerable yet hooky songs that balanced lyrical simplicity and space with rocket fire verses (Geek In The Pink, anyone?) I went to overnight camp growing up, and James Taylor is definitely a campfire side favorite. Currently, I absolutely adore the extremely clever and groovy writing of Bridget Kearney and Akie Bermiss for Lake Street Dive, Victoria Canal’s pure poetry on her new record, and in the pop world, Chappell Roan, who’s really doing it big for the gays on and off the stage.
Are you planning to release any new music this year?
I am sitting on five songs for my artist project, Emma Jayne, that I’m really excited about. This includes my upcoming single, “DNA,” that I performed live in my Tiny Desk contest submission this year. More recently, I’ve been interested in recording a cover of the jazz standard “That’s All” (performed by Nat King Cole, written by Alan Brandt and Bob Haymes) as a tribute to my Grandfather. He passed away in late January, and he always loved to play this song on piano. We sang this to him as he transitioned and at his funeral service. I plan to donate all song proceeds to Alzheimer’s research.
What would you tell other artists who are considering entering the contest?
I have been entering this contest for the past seven years, and this is my first ever win. Keep entering if you have the means to, and definitely keep writing. You never know the next song you’ll create that will really resonate with others. In a time where arts funding is being slashed and out right taken away, the world needs us songwriters to share our hearts. Contests like these motivate me to keep writing and to share vulnerably. I hope you’ll do the same!
Check out the winning song below:
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