I was able to appreciate her music while listening to AMI Radio on the internet. After visiting her webpage, Ms. Hajj was invited to an interview in our cultural section and she accepted.

Here is the entire interview conducted via E Mail.

1. I heard some tracks in your album «Love Is Everywhere». What inspired you to record this album and how long did it take to make it possible?

I was inspired in part by my own love life. The song «Love is Everywhere» came out of a relationship that was ending. I was frustrated because my partner saw a hard road in front of him no matter what his circumstances, which I didn’t really understand. When I decide to see love, I see love everywhere. The song was, in part, a demonstration of where one could look for love, like in the spaces between the letters of your own name. Long story made short, that relationship ended and I approached that next year of my life as an opportunity to say «YES» to new things. New relationships. New activities. Raising money for and recording my third CD. Following a new love to California. The album took about a year to produce, longer because I moved about halfway through the process. It was an amazing year, but it wasn’t all good. There was my attempt at Roller Derby in there…that resulted in two broken bones and a substantial break from guitar playing.

2. You are originally from Utah. How has your state influenced you in your music?

Utah is beautiful and its landscapes show up in my music all the time. In «Alleluia,» the wisteria I talk about is in the back yard at my house. The red rocks in «Where you Take Me» are in Southern Utah. «I am Home» is about drilling near Utah’s National Parks, something which I think is just deplorable. I grew up in Utah, so it has contributed so much to the kind of person I am. It is an interesting cultural and geological landscape in which to grow.

3. Who were your musical influences in your life and what did you learn from their music in order to create the Jen Hajj style?

When I was a kiddo, my mom would put on records when she would clean house. Some of my favorites were Peter, Paul and Mary, the Kingston Trio, the Chad Mitchell Trio, John Denver, and Simon and Garfunkel. Oh, and the Beatles, too! I learned early on about harmony, and I seek it out in my own listening. It is funny, a lot of people hear me and say «you sound like Joan Baez» or «sing a Joni Mitchell song!» but I don’t know their work as well as the stuff I grew up with. It is the same era, but I just didn’t have access. I was also inspired by church music and choral music. I sang in choirs for many years, and learned old folk songs, classical music. It was a huge part of my musical education.

4. What is Sweet Relief and how did find about its existence?

Sweet Relief is an organization that helps career musicians when they can’t get out and gig anymore due to disabilities or illness. Imagine, you make your living going out on the road, and then something happens and you can’t do it anymore. Maybe it is a cancer diagnosis, or something like breaking your arm doing Roller Derby! Though I have not been a beneficiary of Sweet Relief, I support what they stand for, because they help musicians who may not have other means of support.

5. When or how did you start as a singer songwriter?

I started with a feeling of discontent. I couldn’t really identify why, but I was just aching inside, like I had something I wanted to say, but didn’t know how. I didn’t really identify what it was until I attended a songwriting competition at a folk festival. I really had never considered attending such an event, and only went because a friend gave me a ticket and said «you really ought to go see this. I think you’ll like it.» Well, I went. There was one particular performer who got up and sang a song about human potential: the world is a better place because you are in it, even if you don’t do something great like Ghandi or Rosa Parks, or even if you don’t particularly like what you happen to be stuck doing right now. I was moved beyond belief. I sat there and cried through the song. I distinctly remember thinking «that is me up there. That’s what I want to do. That’s what has been missing.» Five years later, I submitted a song into that same contest and was selected as a finalist. I wouldn’t say that I am a singer songwriter because of him, but he showed me a path that I decided to take. It took a while to learn to play the guitar. I still struggle with that. But I feel like I’m doing it. I am living that life I wanted.

6. How important are birds and other animals to you and the world?

Birds are cool. They were a big part of my career as I was making the transition to songwriting, and I still work with them on occasion. I have worked with dogs, too. It is really special to get to know an animal as an individual, and I value species diversity, habitat conservation and the integration of science into the decision-making process. Without sounding like too much of an activist, I think we spoil a lot without thinking about the consequences of our actions.

7. When will you perform in Florida?

I’m planning a trip to Florida in January 2015 (coming to the Space Coast Birding Festival), and have applied to play in a house concert festival later on in 2015. I’m looking forward to seeing how that works out. If anyone is interested in booking me for a show, I’m listening!

8. What is your message for the world?