Kjersti Long Talks About Her Journey and New “Boys In Jersey” Video
Kjersti Long’s voice is quickly becoming the soundtrack to the next generation of pop/rock fans. Fueled by teenage rebellion, the artist has been trailblazing her path in the music industry since she was only 12 years old. Kjersti Long’s electrifying voice sparks memories of Ann Wilson and Janis Joplin while remaining deeply connected to the taste of modern audiences to the likes of Olivia Rodrigo and Demi Lovato. Deeply inspired by her passion for utilizing music as a tool to create emotional bonds, Kjersti Long pens tracks that resonate with everyone. Whether it’s the complexities of modern dating, the trials and tribulations of high school, or navigating your identity, Kjersti Long finds a way to tap into exactly what you need to hear. The musical prodigy has racked up numerous impressive accomplishments, including performing at the acclaimed House of Blues San Diego, The Stone Pony, and performing as the warm-up for David Bryan of Bon Jovi. Now, Kjersti Long is ready to kick up the heat for her summer track “Boys in Jersey.”
Modern-day romance can be hard to find when searching for the Leonardo to your Kate in a world full of jocks, fake Nirvana fans, and posers. In “Boys from Jersey,” Kjersti Long breaks out in an infectious Pop/Rock anthem that airs out her frustration with today’s dating scene. Hailing from Clinton, New Jersey, the artist has had enough of the “Jersey Boy” archetype riddled with red flags and shallow conversations. She’s looking for someone to ignite the fire within her and explore the multifaceted aspects of relationships. The vision for the music video brings the lyrics to life, with shots of the stereotypical Jersey boys intertwined with scenes of her rocking out with her band in front of the New York City skyline. The song is a memorable track that blends light-hearted humor with the realities of modern dating.
When did your passion for music ignite? At what point did you know it was something you wished to pursue professionally?
When I was about 9 I started getting into vocal lessons and I thought it was a blast but I knew it was something I wanted to do professionally when I started performing live at around age 11. Performing live is so much fun!
How would you describe your style and genre of music? Do you draw inspiration from any artists or creatives?
Modern rock/pop, I think that describes it well. I draw lots of inspiration from all sorts of artists. My dad and I watch a lot of artist documentaries and I love going to live concerts not only to watch and listen to these amazing artists but also to learn from them and take the stuff that they do that I find cool and add it to my music and style.
Can you walk us through the process of visualizing the “Boys In Jersey” music video? Did you envision exactly what you wanted for the video at the start or did the brainstorming process take time?
It took a little time and lots of different people giving a bunch of amazing ideas. We really wanted to show off the state of Jersey and we took some time deciding what parts of Jersey people would recognize. But overall it was a pretty easily put together. I had lots of help though.
Why is a unique song like “Boys In Jersey” important to create and share with the world? How do you feel its concept is relevant to relationships within our current society?
You never know what people are going through and music is a common coping mechanism so I want to put music out that can make people smile when they’re having a hard day, or make them feel understood when they need to know they’re not alone. Also Boys in Jersey in particular shows that you don’t have to settle for stereotypical people, or people that don’t respect you.
Do you ever feel nervous about revealing a vulnerable side to yourself or certain opinions within your music?
No, not usually. My music is my way to express my frustrations or joy. Instead of journaling or drawing I sing to express all the things that I feel and it’s a huge plus cause not only does it help me cope with my emotions it can help others too. People shouldn’t feel nervous expressing there emotions so I don’t feel nervous singing mine.
What is your proudest moment in your music journey so far, and what do you hope for the future of your career in this industry?
I keep getting new proud moments. But there’s nothing more satisfying then performing live. It’s scary and nerve racking but when you’re on stage all you can really think about is how cool and awesome it is to be there. I hope to be able to share more music, there are some opportunities coming soon for that so I’m excited.
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
