MSU grad begins work on music video following first solo album

---

Tweet

Laying your life out for the entire world to see might not be the easiest thing, but 2010 MSU graduate Crystal Williams, said it came naturally to her.

After releasing her first full-length pop/R&B album “Trouble” this year, Williams, who goes by the stage name Jenna Milan, said she is ready to continue pursuing her music career now that she is done with school.

Milan said her plans include shooting a music video for her first single “Pause,” off her album, and beginning to record her sophomore album sometime in the next few months.

Manager and longtime friend Ed Williams said it’s Milan’s individual style that makes her music stand out from the crowd.
“She has a very unique voice and a unique style of singing,” Williams said. “The music she uses and her voice is almost like a hand in a glove — it just fits.”

The State News sat down with Milan to talk about her career so far and how it feels having released her debut album.

State News How did you originally get into music?

Jenna Milan I’ve been doing it ever since I was really little. I started when I was five and then I did the modeling and the acting and I was sort of going towards that, but (changed) since I am such a creative and musical person.

SN What’s your favorite part about releasing an album?

JM Just to hear everyone’s opinion on the album. I get to share a part of my life with the world that is normally private. Not everyone can do that.

SN Is it difficult to put out a CD that is that personal?

JM I feel like it’s easier to put something out that other people relate to because I feel like what comes from the heart reaches the heart, so that’s why I made sure to keep everything very autobiographical. It’s like a window into getting to know who I am as a person. I feel like I have some songs on there that people can relate to — people going through heartache, people who just want to go out and have fun — it’s like a part of me.

SN What sort of feedback have you been getting?

JM I’ve been getting a lot of feedback from all over the world — people in Mexico to Brazil to Australia. A lot of people love my music. They find it very inspiring, they find it really fun to (get ready) to and a lot of people are like, “Wow … it’s really good to be a first album.” So a lot of positive feedback and that they can’t wait to hear the next album.

SN What do you see for music in your future?

JM I’ll probably start working on my second album mid-winter so I can … get the second one out, because this is my first one and I’ve been really busy with (it). But I definitely want to keep going with it and keep pursuing it.

SN What did you learn from making this first album?

JM It’s very hard, it’s very grueling. It’s not like you can go in the studio and lay a song down and be done. One song can take up to a week if it’s not done right. You learn a lot about yourself because you put a lot of yourself out there for the world to see. You circle emotions or feelings that have been kind of in the background and you bring them out. (Also) getting your opinion across to people that are working with you and letting your voice be heard. I think that’s one of the hardest parts — letting your voice be heard while you’re making a CD. Being a woman in the industry, a lot of time people feel like they can walk all over you but you have to kind of stand your ground if you know what’s right.

---