An unlikely soul sister

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Born and raised in Orem, 19-year-old Jennifer Blosil grew up in a family of musicians, and has become a mainstay in local music with her unique look and sound.

“I’m a white kid with an afro that sings blues,” Blosil said. “I don’t fit into that little box of conformity.”

Blosil, whose piano-driven neo-soul has been getting increased attention, said she loves writing and performing. Following her older siblings’ example, she started taking piano lessons when she was four, and writing her own music around age 12. She grew up surrounded by music but admits she does not play and write the same style as some of her favorite bands and musicians.

When speaking of her favorite musicians, she cited Coldplay, because of their surprisingly spiritual concert she attended a few years ago.

“Not only was I inspired because it was an incredible show, but [it was] the first time I realized you can feel the Spirit in a setting where truth is being taught because all good things come from God,” Blosil said. “Good music can provide spiritual experiences, and that’s when I think Coldplay became my favorite, because they have phrases of lyric I could never say better.”

Despite her humility, Blosil is well known in the Provo music scene, and many BYU students have heard her play at local venues, such as Velour Live Music Gallery, and in a competition to compete to play at Stadium of Fire. She said she loves to play where she knows others in the crowd and where she can see other local musicians.

Scott Ashton, 24, an economics major from Salt Lake City, has seen Blosil play at Velour, and said he loved listening to her piano and blues style.

“She’s got soul,” Ashton said. “Her’s was the only CD I got from the whole show.”

Although she loves local music, Blosil hopes to expand her fan base outside Provo. She said she has worried about the effect the industry has on people, and as a member of the LDS Church she has prepared herself for the difficulties which may lie ahead. Even in the Provo music scene, Blosil said she has been put to the test for her beliefs.

“I had to make sure I was at a point spiritually, emotionally, etc. to handle that before I started.” Blosil remarked. “I can always continue to work on my craft, but I won’t always have that time to work on myself spiritually in a world where I’d be bombarded continually — and so I just had to come to a point in my relationship with God and with people to say I’m comfortable enough with who I am, and I can stand firm on my ground.”

Because of the difficulties of the music industry, Blosil’s parents originally had a tough time accepting her musical dreams. Her dad, who previously started his own record label, specifically made sure her songs were fine-tuned and that she knew what she was doing. When Blosil would play her new songs for him, he told her exactly what he believed should be fixed. Now, however, her parents are her biggest fans and supporters.

Blosil will be playing a show tonight at Velour, the first after a long break in performing.

Kaneischa Johnson, spokeswoman for Velour, said she loves that Blosil always stays true to herself, and added that Blosil has used the past few months offstage to find her true identity.

“When she gets onstage, she is herself, which is just this really sweet but quirky girl,” Johnson said. “But she’s got this really soulful sound, she’s really a soulful person.”

With all the praise she has received, Blosil remains grounded and focused on creating music that represents herself.

“What I care about is just writing whatever is in my heart and creating songs I love,” she said.

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