Photos Courtesy of @andthemangos_ (Instagram)
Melodic house. Techno. Versatile synths and basslines. This self-taught DJ/producer from San-Francisco is best known as Jackie Hollander. Prior to signing three songs over a 12-month period with her mentor Justin Jay, Hollander found herself contemplating music production in exchange for a sales position. Her story begins on “Green Street” in an apartment in San Francisco where she begins to make meaning of the influences which have shaped her into an artist with a story to share.
The “All My Friends Are Hot” producer grew with a vision to create a space of her own sound in this industry with goals to host events, make a record label, and self-release. Focused on providing the music she wishes she found earlier on the dance floor, Hollander’s discography is a nod to her childhood dream to work in community service. Her story and music altogether inspires others on a similar journey on finding their self-empowerment in uncertain times. The heartfelt visionary’s new track, “My Power” featuring Brieanna Grace is another encouraging message serving those it’s destined to find.
iHeartRaves had the chance to discuss with Jackie Hollander about the real-life moments behind her most personal tracks, upcoming projects, and her appearance at Goldrush Festival 2024.
iHR: Thank you so much for meeting with me and your time! Your performance was wonderful! I love the way you move on stage. What was your favorite part of performing here at Goldrush for the first time?
Jackie: I love playing to a crowd like that: where there’s a few people at first and then having the challenge of building the crowd and engaging everyone. I love it! It was fun to see the people that came for me and having the crowd grow as I was playing. It was powerful and made me so happy! It makes me feel like I’m doing my job and I’m making other people happy.
iHR: I really fell in love with your openness towards your origins and the launch of your music career. At one point, you were deciding to take a sales position at a cyber-security company to pay the bills. So many aspiring musicians, creatives, or anyone with a dream can relate! You took a huge leap of faith and set a goal to release three songs in one year which ultimately changed the course of your career.
What advice would you like to share to other women producers who find themselves in the same feelings of resistance yet passion you once experienced?
Jackie: I think, in this industry, it’s so easy to see yourself falling into a category. Since the beginning, I’ve always wanted to change people’s lives, be important to people, and make an impact. My advice to all of them is: do what is authentically you and make music that makes you feel happy.
We have one chance to tell a story and you have this position of power to share your voice to help or inspire other people. Take advantage of that. Don’t fall into trends. Don’t fall into what other people are doing: making music just to make it. Speak about who you are and put that into your music.
When I started making my sets, I would play what I thought other people would like. Now, I play what I like and I like that so much more. As a listener and someone who grew up going to raves, I feel like you can tell when someone is fully themself on stage. Be yourself and people will love you.
iHR: The track “Green Street” illuminates feelings of indecision many can relate to as well as what you have felt before the launch of your career. The lyrics: “I just feel like there’s pressure to do the right thing, to do the right job, I just don’t know what to do. I’m lost.”
Why did you name this track “Green Street”?
Jackie: I lived on this street called “Green Street” in San Francisco. I went to University of California and was living in LA. I did not feel at home or supported. It was hard for me in college, honestly. I did not fit in so, I decided to move home to San Francisco. I moved in alone into an apartment on Green Street, at the same time I dove into music and that’s when I made the song.
I wanted to call it “Green Street” because that is the year I lived alone, believed in myself, and dove into myself. I would stay up late every night watching YouTube videos and working on music. I recorded the song with my phone, made the song and named it “Green Street” because it’s the start of my story.
iHR: Since 2022, you’ve made milestones I know your younger self is thanking you for. What has been your proudest moment you are most grateful for and why?
Jackie: Touring with Gorgon City and doing the twelve shows with them! Growing up, they were my biggest musical inspiration. When I met them, they were so accepting of me and so kind. When I open for people, a lot of them are like “Nice to meet you…”. When I have openers hopefully, one day, I want to take such good care of them and be happy they’re there because they're contributing to your show.
I felt so cared for by them and they understood me. They were appreciative of the show. Every show I’ve done with them, our sounds are amazing together. It’s been the biggest dream for me just to play shows with them.
iHR: I instantly fell in love with your track “Elusive” and it makes me feel hypnotized even if I feel a little heartbroken. This song incorporates themes of longing, separation, disorientation but contrasted with inescapable melody.
What was the inspiration behind this track?
Jackie: I went to Sound Nightclub in LA with my ex who was my boyfriend at the time. I’m definitely a raver at heart! We kept losing each other throughout the night and it was when we were having a turbulent time in the relationship. We weren’t really together, we were on a break, but I still loved him–whatever.
I wrote the track about that because I kept losing him in the crowd and was like “flashing lights, you’re here with me” and I’d keep finding him. I feel like all of my songs are about a specific time in my life and are very personal. That one was about us going out together, I didn’t know what our relationship was going to turn into. At the nightclub together, f***cked up–I thought it was an elusive night! You don’t really know what happened and you don’t know what’s going to happen with the relationship. It felt like: do you love me? I don’t know!
iHR: Your track “Pass You By” contains the lyrics “What’s meant for you won’t pass you by”. Why is it important for you to add words of encouragement and positive affirmations like this in your music?
Jackie: I have struggled a lot with anxiety and depression. In the past year, I've been on medication and it’s really changed my life. I wrote that song when I broke up with the guy I was just talking about. So, I was on a plane to London and that’s where I was thinking “I’m scared to fall in love, I’m scared to be alone”. I thought: I’m scared to freefall in love because I hurt so much, but I’m also scared to end up alone.
Then, I was thinking about curing my anxiety and depression, refalling in love with life. I would always say to myself: what’s meant for you won’t pass you by. I’m super spiritual and believe everything happens for a reason. I wish when I was raving in the crowd there were songs like that I could hear.
Because, raving for me is spiritual. It makes me feel so much better and connected to life. I want my music to embody that and have for people to hear that. You could hear one lyric and think: damn, I feel heard and understood. I can’t imagine being out and you’re questioning your life, you don’t know what’s going on, but what’s meant for you won’t pass you by.
iHR: Your discography shares the story of how you’ve developed to this point in time. Your faith and determination to get to where you are now is my favorite aspect of your art. What other life experiences or moments are currently motivating you?
Jackie: Growing up, I was really free-spirited. I was traveling so much and felt so lucky. I always thought I wanted to be in community service. Now, this makes me so happy: performing, meeting people, seeing how much my music influences and makes others happy. I want it to be forever. I feel so grateful.
Every weekend, when I go home, I reflect and write everything down that I want to keep doing. I want to start my own label, throw my own parties, create a space of my sound in this industry. Inspire people.
iHR: Other than forming more of your fanbase and making meaningful festival appearances, what is next for you? Are there any future projects you’d like to talk about?
Jackie: My first solo-release is coming out in two weeks on Insomniac Records. It’s called “My Power”. I’m so excited about it! It’s about choosing your purpose and your power over love–how that hurts and it sucks. I basically broke up with my ex to make music and we all go through that: choosing yourself and not letting go of your power.
After, I want to have another release with Realm Records at some point. I also want to self-release a lot. I have four songs that are absolutely killing it; I am so excited about all of them! Spotify is supporting me so much which is amazing. Once that does well, in a year, I want to start my own label.
My whole goal for myself and what I want to get into is my parties. I want people to come and feel so good when they leave whether that be we have meditation or manifestation, or something spiritual about the event. That’s my vision and goal for it. I want it to be at sunrise or sunset and to feature all new artists. The sun is setting, it's kind of chill, it becomes dark and we go in; that’s what I see. That’ll be a year from now, and for this year, I’m continuing to build.
