“Ruin Your Life”- Jenny Palacios Sits With STREET GRRRL On Her Latest Release On Self-Introspection And Self-Destruction
Written by: Jaylyn Khatthavong
A leading title that morphed from wanting to dismantle someone’s existence to an introspective look on getting older, being emotionally burnt out, and wanting from any means to be released from the cycle that is impacting one’s life negatively, Jenny Palacios details her journey of reflection in her latest release, “Ruin Your Life,” released on August 20th. A Toronto-based Peruvian-Vietnamese artist, Jenny Palacios is a multi-media art maestro who expresses all facets of her talents in the conception of the release. The mastermind behind the visual art component, Jenny also extends her craft of storytelling in the production of “Ruin Your Life” sharing a gritty alternative-pop approach to the realization of finding yourself being burnt out. STREET GRRRL is grateful for the privilege we have had to sit down with Jenny and bare insight into her path as an artist and release.
STREET GRRL: Thank you for joining in conversation with STREET GRRRL! As an all-rounder, multidisciplinary creative behind the creative intention and visual arts of every release, how do you approach blending every medium together in your works and deciding what to incorporate?
Jenny Palacios: I think the first things I was doing when I got into design were like trying to make cohesive pieces for songs my high school band made - like what I now know would be maybe campaign artwork, release artwork. Now I generally know what the bases of what I want to make to build a world for my songs and it’s much more video stuff these days, I just wish I could do more and more often cause I get inspired a lot and often too, feels like my hands can’t keep up lol
SG: Does your methods, structure to each of your artistic capabilities differentiate? Do you handle or consider the visual arts, music, in different views or lights when beginning your projects?
JP: With music I find it's much more collaborative than when I’m designing something - and sometimes idk im one of those people that like can need some accountability sometimes to see something through, so with songs if i’m collabing with another writer, producer, we’re both in it to win it, write something cool and get it out, vs when I’m maybe working on artwork (this is happening as we speak) and I can just labour on and live with and scrutinize it (also happening as we speak)
SG: “Ruin Your Life” not only sonically but visually embodies a highly vivid, saturated atmosphere of rawness in the open admission and desire to internally destruct, to break away. How did you decide the concept visually to represent the song?
JP: I just knew for sure I wanted to have some take on using Helvetica Neue Condensed typeface in all caps - it’s so reminiscent of an intense party of a very specific era to me and i think i’m pretty interested in some really dramatic single colour lights - similar to like strobes and what not at a show
SG: A wish for a momentary release as the track exemplifies, what are the ways you enjoy detoxing and rejuvenating yourself when life or being an artist presents its challenges?
JP: A gooooood old fashioned brain rot session in bed, AC on, some snacks, clean house, maybe a movie? Maybe a game? I just got slime as a grown adult it’s so fun I get it now completely. When that starts to get too much bc it absolutely can, I do like reading or just being out in the city, pop by a friends house.
SG: I personally love the structure, production of the song and the spoken bridge of your declarations. What encouraged you to include that moment of your spoken bridge rather than a traditionally chosen one?
JP: It felt like we needed to bring some whimsy, some silly into the bit, not that the lines are like haha funny goofy, but they’re a bit tongue and cheek and that is the cherry on top
SG: Your voice, style possesses a lively resonance full of character depicting the individual stories you wish to tell in your songs. How has your journey been finding your singing style, are there any specific practicing routines you follow or methods you practice for your voice?
JP: On tour I’ve been trying to like slow down mindfully onstage, I dont know if it’s just me but when I’m nervous I’ll speed up and the moment will be gone in a flash so I’ve been trying to just absorb it and hopefully that makes space for more intentionality, I also am so bad for warming up but when i do i’ll get a straw from the bar, drink some water out a bottle and like blow bubbles with whats left, run scales with it.
SG: What motivated and encouraged you to pursue this new, evolved sound “Ruin Your Life” contains of your signature alternative sound infused with an anthemic pop theme?
JP: A lot of things I’m sure but the main one is the live show - I want it to get big and cathartic but not always in a super serious kind of way.
SG: What is one resource, mindset, or opportunity that completely changed your career, life—and how did you discover it?
JP: I was talking to an old teacher, they had told me they felt like I was someone who didn’t wait for permission to do what I want to be who I want to be. I didn’t know I was moving like that but coming from someone else I almost wanted to keep validating what he said.
SG: Each of your projects showcases the power of your passion, vision, and demonstrates the talent you have perfected in various fields. What are your hopes and dreams from “Ruin Your Life” and onward?
JP: I just want it to be the best time live, that’s all I can hope for and I wanna keep making fun videos and visualizers for it. I’ve had a hard time sitting and making traditional placements for it, I wanna go video first for this one.
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