Anishinaabe Cree singer-songwriter, actor and director, Jayli Wolf caught up with ELMNT FM about her second solo release, “Hush,” off her debut solo album, Wild Whisper.
• Tell us about your new tune, “Hush.”
“This song is about passion and discovery. Uncovering the pain of suffocating ones desires for the approval of others. And opening up to the pure, raw, and fierce energy of sexual freedom and liberation.
Being raised in a high control religious group, I felt immense shame around the truth of who I am. My first true love with another girl (fellow cult member) was filled with guilt and shame. We would pray together for forgiveness over the desires that we had. I believed Jehovah would destroy me in Armageddon.
Being free now from that mental conditioning, and the difficult work of deprogramming I have done over the last several years – I have slowly allowed myself to open up more and expel the shame around my sexuality.
I am grateful to have a partner (also ex-cult member) who understands me and allows me to live in my complete truth. We made the decision of having an open relationship so that we are both free to explore this life and it’s desires to the fullest.
My deprogramming has also allowed me to question the societal conditioning around relationships.
I hope this song brings people feelings of power and freedom in their own personal explorations.
It was incredibly liberating to write and filming the visual put me so in touch with my feminine sexual energy.”
• Where did you find inspiration when writing “Hush”?
“I had just reconnected with a woman who I was once in love with. We chatted about how it was when we were still in the cult. We both had so much guilt and shame over wanting one another. The song came out a couple hours later.
When I was younger I thought that being queer meant God’s disapproval. When I wrote “Hush” I was drawing on those feelings, but also on how I have left all that negativity behind. I want to be proud of every part of who I am. I am not going to be fearful of myself or how other’s perceive me. And as for God, we have a great relationship now.”
• Did you turn to any particular artists or bands when creating this tune?
“I didn’t. I went inward.”
• What can you tell us about the accompanying visual for “Hush”?
“It happened accidentally. Me and a couple of my friends went into this beautiful bar in Creston, B.C. – called the Frisky Whiskey. It was so gorgeous, and I remember just saying, “this is the vibe for Hush.”
We asked the owner if we could film there & literally hours later she just opened up the space for us.
My best friend and stylist Tessa quickly whipped up a look for me and we filmed it! I just wanted to feel sexy & liberated in this visual, and we found the perfect location for that.
The ravens have a personal meaning for me, they often show up to me in my dream world. They are always guiding me through tricks, leading me to my individual power. Showing me what I am capable of and to take matters into my own hands. It was important I put them in this visual, because they have been such vital guides for me throughout the journey of stepping into my own power.”
• Just for fun: do you have a go-to karaoke tune?
“It takes a lot of coaxing for me to sing karaoke, maybe even bribery.”
• What’s coming up next for you?
“I will be releasing my EP “Wild Whisper” this summer. And I am currently filming a couple of TV shows at the moment. 🙂 And I hope lots of sun & fun.”
Check out the video for Hush: