Based in Colorado, folk singer-songwriter Jillian Lee Antinora has an intriguing background in music. She studied at AMDA in NYC, is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association, and has performed professionally in musical theatre, and on cruise ships. Outside music, she owns a real estate agency, is a mother of six, and is continuing to pursue her passion in music.
What first got you into music?
I always loved music when I was a kid, just listening to the radio in my room and dancing around. I studied ballet while growing up and so I really appreciated classical music. I was in the choir at school and took private voice lessons starting when I was 15. I studied classical singing, opera arias and art songs, and I loved it. I went to AMDA in NYC when I was 17 to study musical theater and worked professionally in musical theater for 10 years. When I started my family, I started singing at church and decided to finally learn the guitar that had been collecting dust for 20 years so that I could accompany myself and start writing my own songs. I love all kinds of music but folk and country seem to suit my voice best with the guitar. I still love opera and musical theater.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I would describe it as simple, sincere, light folk music with a country feel.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I would most like to collaborate with musicians that love old country music, great lyrics and acoustic sound. My favorite artist to listen to lately is Tyler Childers.
What would you be doing right now if it weren’t for your music career?
I have six kids, ages 7 to 17, and my own real estate brokerage, so life is full! If I had even more time, my absolute favorite thing to do is dance and I love gardening, so I would do more of those.
If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom to the next musical generation, what would it be?
It would be to enjoy playing the music you create. If you don’t love it, it will probably be hard for other people to love it. Music should be your therapy, let it lift you up when you need it, and help you work through sadness and hard times when you need it. Also, let it help you connect with others. Enjoy it and share it.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
The Joy of Living
If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be and your superhero name be?
I would want my superpower to be that everyone I am around sees the best in themselves. I can’t think of a good name! Joyful Jillian? Lift Up Lady?
Clearly, my superpower is not coming up with superhero names 🙂
You are a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be and why?
Deep Purple…because it’s pretty!
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
My mother. I would nail that role. I would get to show the full range of human emotion in every scene, I’m sure I would get an Oscar!
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
I would tell myself to be patient, be confident, keep working at everything that is important to you, and trust that there is purpose in all of it.
Jillian Lee Antinora returns with her brand-new folk track ‘Laid Down Your Love’. The well-crafted songwriting, alluring storytelling, along with her captivating vocals, will draw the listener in from the very first note.
The track includes country, blues, and folk sounds infusing the genres in an excellent manner. Featuring acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums, and her captivating vocals, Jillian Lee Antinora started with the lyrics for this song. She started with the words “you laid down your law today” talking about faltering under the pressure of trying to do what’s right and feeling lost and alone when looking toward the future. She then realised that ‘love’ sounded better than ‘law’, so she changed this.
On the music side, Jillian Lee Antinora was playing around with riffs, which were new for her at the time. She messed around with chords and was impressed by the way it all sounded. Then, once she was in the studio, she changed parts of it to get the timing right, and added more instruments.
Jillian Lee Antinora explains her inspiration, “‘Laid Down Your Love’ is about trying to hang on during that time in life when pressures are high and support and love are hard to find. It’s about getting through because there’s no other option.”
‘Laid Down Your Love’ is available on all streaming platforms.
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