OWDB: A Songwriter's World: Jann Klose on Crafting Music That Crosses Continents

Album and Songs

Dr. Bill: Of all the albums you've released, which one do you feel represents you best and why?

Jann: My newest, "Surrender". It's my seventh album and is very diverse stylistically. I love the sound that my producers Marcus Dembinski and David Schoenwetter (aka Invida) created for it. I lived the stories that are included on it in the form of songs written with several different co-writers including Alex Forbes. She and I used to get together during the first months of the pandemic while the world shut down and poured all of our feelings into the songs. It was basically free therapy!

Dr. Bill: How do you decide which songs make it onto an album?

Jann: They should fit the overall arch of the album. I have several songs that have been left off records for that reason alone, not because they are bad songs. Some of them may end up on a future album.

Performances, Tours and Collaborations

Dr. Bill: What has been your most memorable performance to date?

Jann: Singing at the school I attended as a boy in Johannesburg with orchestra and three different choirs!

Dr. Bill: How do you prepare for a tour, and what do you enjoy most about being on the road?

Jann: Make sure the travel plans are sorted as best as possible in advance because unexpected stuff happens all the time. I love to travel so that's the easy part... Discovering new countries, people and cultures is a great gift in this life.

Dr. Bill: You've collaborated with various artists over the years. How do these collaborations come about, and what do you look for in a collaborative partner?

Jann: I meet a lot of people through my travels and one thing leads to another, that's how you connect with like-minded artists and people in the industry. I generally look for a personal connection and a vibe that leads to good working conditions.

Dr. Bill: Is there an artist you dream of collaborating with in the future?

Well, there are many but I'll call out Miley Cyrus, Paul McCartney and Bonnie Raitt! Think BIG!

Insights and Reflections

Dr. Bill: How has your music evolved over the years, and how do you see it changing in the future?

Jann: I honestly just want to get better at what I do and keep trying new things and work/write in as many genres as I can. I'm attracted to a great melody and timeless storytelling.

Dr. Bill: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your music career?

Jann: The fact that I have been able to create a sustainable career and create value for myself as an artist.

Dr. Bill: Can you share a particularly impactful interaction you've had with a fan?

Jann: A man came up to me after playing the Splashy Fen Music Festival in Underberg in South Africa last year. He had tears in his eyes and said that my song "Dear Mel" made him think of his son that he had lost. He hugged me and thanked me after the show. It was a very emotional moment.

Dr. Bill: How do you feel your music has connected with your audience, and what do you hope they take away from your performances?

Jann: I hope I help them forget their daily life challenges for a moment and I hope they walk away humming a melody :)

Looking Ahead

Dr. Bill: What are your future plans or projects that fans can look forward to?

Jann: I have two new songs coming out, May 3rd my cover of Tim Buckley's "Song to the Siren" and June 7th "Love is a Verb", my collaboration with South African artist, DJ Cosher. I have shows in the US, Mexico and Germany and hopefully Brazil and South Africa again.

My podcast "Making Sound with Jann Klose" has some excited guests coming up on it including Oscar winning German composer Volker Bertelmann, poet Larry Beckett and bassist Will Lee (CBS The Late Show, the Fab Faux).

As our conversation drew to a close, it was clear that Jann Klose's passion for music is as vibrant and diverse as the influences that have shaped him.

Whether through the deeply emotional connections his songs foster or the global journey that continues to inspire his creativity, Jann remains a compelling figure in the world of music.

His upcoming projects and tours promise new opportunities for fans to experience his evolving artistry. Notably, his next performance is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th at the Cutting Room in New York, located at 44 East 32nd Street. (Click here for ticket information.)

For anyone touched by his music, Jann's journey is a testament to the power of following one's artistic vision and the universal language of music that transcends borders and cultures.

As we look forward to his future endeavors, Jann Klose continues to be a beacon for aspiring artists everywhere, proving that music is not just an art form–but a life-long adventure.

For more on Jann's career, music and acting career, visit his website.