#08: Jetta Juriansz - on “My Nothin’”, SAG-AFTRA strike, Sharing Your Light, “Static Boo”, Rom-Coms and Taking Care Of Each Other
Jetta Juriansz is a NYC based singer, actor, and comedian. She won the first ever Audience Got Talent, the filmed live pre-show to America’s Got Talent with her original music. She is a winner of the Diversity Scholarship at The Groundlings, was a cast member in this year’s CBS Showcase 2023, and was a cast member on sketch comedy TV show “Studio C”. Also originated the role of Ali Mills in the pre-Broadway premiere of “The Karate Kid: The Musical”. So far, this year she appeared on Station 19 (ABC), S.W.A.T. (CBS), and many commercials.
Learn more about Jetta Juriansz at:
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Note: This episode was recorded on 9.15.23
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Killah Cortez is a music producer, musician, and songwriter based in Los Angeles. Specializing in alternative/indie/pop, Cortez is richly creative with a remarkable gift of enhancing projects and taking listeners on a journey.
Cortez has also landed reviews from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Lyrical Lemonade, and Paste Magazine with his compositions appearing in commercials and tv shows like "Younger".
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“Songs For The Apocalypse” Playlist On Spotify
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"Goody, Goody" by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
Today’s Episode is sponsored by New Monkey Studio
Killah Cortez: Welcome back to the Killah Cortez show. The following is an interview with Jetta Juriansz. It's been a good minute since I've done a pod. I've been focusing a ton on writing new material and after some hermit time / woodshedding, the KC show is back. I have some fun episodes coming up to close out 2023 and I'm stoked to be here with you. Jetta Juriansz is a New York City based singer, actor and comedian. She won the first ever Audience Got Talent. The filmed live pre-show to America's Got Talent with her original music. She is a winner of the Diversity Scholarship at The Groundlings, was a cast member in this year's CBS Showcase 2023 and was a cast member on the sketch comedy tv show. “Studio C” also originated the role of Ali Mills in the pre-Broadway premiere of “The Karate Kid: The Musical”. So far this year, she appeared on Station 19 (ABC), S.W.A.T. (CBS) and many commercials. So Jetta is one of the most all around talented people that I know. And what impresses me most about her is that her positivity is unrelenting and contagious, which comes as no surprise to me that she's had the success that she's had. We've been collaborating for a few years now, most recently on our latest single co-release "Static Boo", which you can now stream on Spotify and other streaming platforms. I interviewed Jetta remotely from her home in New York City. You can find the show notes, links and a full transcription of this episode in the description below. You can also find a link to the Killah Cortez Discord where we chat all things KC. Sprinkled in between the segments of this episode are songs from my songs for the Apocalypse playlist, some of which were chosen by Jetta. You can find the link for this playlist in the description below. And lastly, you can also find this episode on YouTube. However, it will be without the music between the segments. If you like what I do, please be sure to give me a five star rating on Spotify or a follow / comment on YouTube. Without further ado, enjoy this interview with Jetta Juriansz.
Killah Cortez: What was the last thing you listened to?
Jetta Juriansz: Oh, boy. Oh, actually, it was "goodie, goodie", "Goody, Goody" by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. Have you heard that song? It Freaking Rocks.
Killah Cortez: I feel like I've definitely heard that song, but I don't. I can't recall it right now. It's. You remember it offhand.
Jetta Juriansz: It's like. So you and I made a da da da da da da. Goodie, goodie. It's. Oh, yeah, yeah.
Killah Cortez: Yeah, of course.
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah. My favorite thing about it is it's so petty. It's like, the most petty, sarcastic song. Basically. She's like, Oh, you went and found someone you were in love with and they broke your heart. Oh, goody goody.
Killah Cortez: Oh, damn. Sassy song.
Jetta Juriansz: I love it. It's so mean. Sad. It's savage.It's powerful.
Killah Cortez: What year would that have been, you think?
Jetta Juriansz: Um, to me, it looks probably like early 50s, maybe late 50s. Um, but it's. I mean, it's perfect. It's like I just. I love it. I was like, I was walking around my apartment, like, acting like I have beef with someone and I really don't. I was, like, going, like, fully into it. I was like, goody, goody. And it's like, who are you talking to Jetta? You're not fighting with anyone.
Killah Cortez: That's amazing. So. You're like pound for pound outrightly, one of the most talented people that I've ever met. You act, you sing, you write. I wouldn't be surprised if you windsurfed. Why don't why don't you give the listeners a glimpse into your backstory where you're from and like kind of up to now. And I know that's like a huge question, but, you know, you know the highlights better than anyone else.
Jetta Juriansz: Wow. I mean, well, first of all, windsurfing IS my passion more than anything else.
Killah Cortez: I'm actually like, I kind of started windsurfing.
Jetta Juriansz: Wow. Well, first of all, thank you so much for those kind words. The feelings are so mutual. So thank you for even saying that. Um. Yeah. Guess I started. I kind of started everything I love all at once because I started in musical theater. And to me, musical theater kind of encapsulates everything I love to do. Like it's a little bit of acting, it's a little bit of singing, it's a little bit of comedy for the most part. And, um, it's a little bit of being silly, which is my full time job.
Killah Cortez: Yeah,
Jetta Juriansz: But yeah, I think I started in theater and, and then got into improv when I was in high school. And, um, yeah, I don't know. I don't recall a time in my life where I wasn't actively pursuing the, the arts in a serious way. I was like kind of a weirdly serious child about acting. I was like a little freak for it. So yeah, don't I? It's always been a part of me and I don't remember a time where I didn't want want this life so much and so being able to do it, um, it does fulfill me like every day. I just am so happy. And I think sometimes I'm just like, wow. I just never stopped being obsessed with this, did I? Um, but yeah, so it's, it's for me, it's a lot of comedy. It's a lot of music. It's a lot of acting and writing and directing and whatever else I can get my hands on, really, But.
Killah Cortez: Yeah. And some of the major projects that I know of that you've worked on, like you were on "Studio C" for many years. I saw you were on what, "CBS showcase" like this past year. Yeah. And then you're in the "Karate Kid musical". What am I. What am I missing?
Jetta Juriansz: Windsurfing.
Killah Cortez: Windsurfing champion. You know, back to. Back to. Back to back to back title.
Jetta Juriansz: Wind fears me. Um, yeah. My studio, my first show I ever booked or like my first series, regular gig was on a kids show called Pocket. It was "Pocketwatch Challenge Squad". I was part of the Challenge Squad.
Killah Cortez: Like, I was the pocket watch when.
Jetta Juriansz: I played the watch. Um, amazing actor who played the pocket. Um, but no, it was, it was kind of my, like, ground floor. It kind of is like the first big launching pad. I always, when I think about my career as a whole, it wasn't really like I mean, not to say that I'm like, you know, out here winning Oscars or anything, but like I, you know, my career as it is, it's it kind of was like little stepping stones rather than like one big thing that, like, started it all. It was, it was really more like, um, little opportunities here and there that turned into more. And a lot of people who just sort of like took a chance on me, which I really appreciate, and I only appreciate those moments more with time. I'm like, wow. Like I when I was on that show, "Pocketwatch Challenge Squad" really is a mouthful to say. Um, I, I was reached out to by this manager and it was the first time in my career that someone had reached out to me in in the interest of representing me. And he this, this guy no longer manages, but he, like, totally changed my career in a way. Like he sort of gave me all these first opportunities that I'd never had. Like it was my first pilot season. It was the first time had been like, you know, close to booking a like real TV show. And it like, it just really changed my life. And, um, and then, you know, after that, it was like little things like the showrunner of "“Studio C”, like taking a meeting with me and then, you know, booking that show and then and CBS Showcase 2023 the thing I did just earlier this year is another great example of that. And I was working with like just the funniest people on the planet. They're just like the most talented, funniest people. And so many times through that process was like, How did I get here? This is so awesome. But yeah, that is just another great example of just a team of people that said yes to me and and gave me this opportunity that really did change my life again, because I, I have pretty much all new reps from that process, which is really, really cool. So I'm with like a new agency, I've a new managers that are all incredible. And so and I and I got so many meetings from it. It just like was this crazy exposure. And I don't think any of those big moments dawned on me in the moment, I think at the moment was like, Oh yeah, yeah, let's do it. Let's keep it going, Let's give them the good stuff. And then, you know, after the fact you're like, Man, that like, really, that really did a lot for me. And now I'm like, in a different I'm in a different zone. I'm playing in a different field now, which is really cool.
Killah Cortez: Yeah, well, I think that's such a that's also kind of like a hot tip for any creatives is like I think the especially nowadays, I think the easy thing to do is when people create, they want to like create and then as soon as it comes out, they just look back at what they created and then they kind of stop. And I can totally tell, like your mentality is like, you're just like, forward, forward, forward, forward. And then you look back and you're like, Oh shit, I got a lot of stuff done, all right? Boom, you know? And that's the way to do it. Yeah. You ever seen that? I was gonna say, have you seen that meme with, like, the iceberg? And it's like it shows like, what people see, and then it's like, what people don't. And it's totally that thing like, Oh, yeah, so much stuff you've done. No one can see all that. But they do see these few highlights.
Jetta Juriansz: Oh, totally, yeah. And people are constantly meeting you at different points in your career and, and like a lot of the times they have no idea. I mean, there are people who found me in Karate Kid and have no idea that that was like my first, like, real, like musical theater experience to that degree. You know, it's like you're kind of always evolving and changing and and people are meeting you at different moments in your career. And it's kind of cool to watch, like your personal definition as an artist change as well. And I also think like as far as like, you know, people giving other people opportunities, I think that's also a tip. I think that when you're coming up in in the arts, in the industry, whether it's in music or if it's film or whatever it is, I think we often are like looking for someone to take a chance on us. And I would also encourage everyone to like be the person that takes a chance on someone else. You really don't know how much you can give to someone at any level of your career and like. Don't you want to be the person who, like, lifts another artists up and like, makes a change for them? So I'm also, in a way, trying to like look for moments to do that because so many people have done that for me. I think you did that for me in a lot of ways. Like, I don't know if I've like even talked about this like publicly or whatever, but I the reason "my nothin'" came to be is because I recorded at I was like singing backup on a friend's country album in New Monkey Studio with Greg and like, that's how we met. And that was like, I don't even know how long ago at this point, Like six years.
Killah Cortez: Yeah, it's probably like 5 or 6 years ago nonw.
Jetta Juriansz: And like when I hit you up about recording a song, you could have. So you have so much going on. Like you work with so many artists, you are like constantly releasing your own music like you had. There was no reason for you to be like, "Yeah, let me take time out of my life." Because it was like, you know, I sing backup on a on a country album and like, I don't even sing country like that. Like, I just think it's so awesome that you were willing to give me the time of day. And because of that, we've like cranked out so much awesome stuff that I think we're both really proud of, which is so cool. So yeah.
Killah Cortez: Totally, yeah. What struck me and what made me want to take a chance was was one, you're awesome, but two, I just loved the, like, gall that you came in with. You were like, Yo, I still remember it. I still tell people this story. You were like, You were like, it was like Saturday. You were like, Yo, I'm filming a music video next Saturday for this song that I have. Can we get this done in time by Saturday? Meanwhile, like, I'm just so used to like having like, I work with artists and it might take months and I'm just like, You want this done by Saturday? Fuck it. I'm down. I'm down like this. So it was so cool to me that you were just down. I was like, Yep. I just. Because I also know that that's like the right mentality, like getting things done, setting deadlines. And I was like, Yep, that's exactly the kind of person I want to work with. Um, so I just loved it and we did it. We got that. I think like Friday I sent you something and then we might have tweaked a little bit after. But then, I mean that, that video is so epic. It came out so good.
Jetta Juriansz: Thank you. I mean, that was like 100% is because of you. I like I can't believe that that like worked out. I can't I'm like, I am shocked also that, like, I had the audacity to ask you that knowing like, your resume and everything, I'm like, who do I think I am? I don't think so. But man, I'm so proud.
Killah Cortez: So yeah, we've collaborated for a few years now, starting with "my nothin'". We did "Baby Blue". We did "Mine". That was like earlier this year and most recently we collaborated on a song called "Static Boo". And I say, Let's start with something for the fans of the songs that we worked on for you. What are some of the highlight moments that stick to you in your in your head? And it can be anything like music wise, video wise, like life wise, that was happening when those things were happening. Whatever you remember.
Jetta Juriansz: Wow. Well, for "my nothin'", man, it happened so fast. I think I was at the time I was working on “Studio C” and "Studio C" was such an amazing experience. But there were I think this is just the nature of like being on a show or like there's a network and it's a huge team. And sometimes moments on that show I felt like were really I didn't I wasn't able to have my hands on everything creatively that I'd like to, which is good because like, you know, it's great to have collaboration and it's great to have many hands on a product. But I think sometimes some of the things I wanted to do, like I lost the plot a little bit on “Studio C” and so I was feeling really overcome with like the need and the desire to, like, do something that felt 100% like me and like something that would like 100% stand by. And that's kind of I was like itching to do that. And then, um, and then, yeah, "my nothin" came to fruition. And it's so crazy because, uh, I think part of the reason it's such a tender memory for me is that, like, it wasn't just you saying yes to like, this wild thing, like it was so many people saying, yes, I got I got my friend to direct it. I got my other friend to DP the music video. I got my roommate to, like, paint props and like order costumes. And I made my other friends act in it. And I taught them like, a little dance, Like it just it just is so exciting to me when so many artists are willing to, like, do whatever to make your dream come to fruition like that. It just is so cool. So that that definitely was my favorite part about that song. And then it weirdly blew up in Brazil. I don't know if you've noticed this.
Killah Cortez: Yeah, totally. Yeah. You have a million Brazilian fans.
Jetta Juriansz: It's so have more more fans in Brazil for "my nothin'" than I have in the States, which is absolutely nuts. Like that is so wild to me. And so I've I've had so many people cover the song. And if if you're listening to this and you've covered it or if you've been thinking about covering it, thank you. So I love that so much. I love watching those videos. It makes me cry every time. But yeah, so many, like, incredible Brazilian singers like singing Oh my God, "my nothin'". Some some of them have like, translated it. I've seen music videos in Portuguese and Spanish and it's just so cool. I just can't. I would have never had imagined the reach that that ended up having.
Killah Cortez: I think that's the power of like such a beautiful song. Like I think, I think for songs like that or any like creative thing, when something has that power behind it, doors just seem to unlock. It's weird.
Jetta Juriansz: Totally. Yeah. I think when you like, let yourself, um, you know, put a piece of yourself out there, you're gonna and it's really authentic to you. I think that authenticity resonates with parts of like other people. I think that when you're like really allow yourself to be true to yourself, more people are able to see that and be like, Whoa, that that unlocked something in me or I see myself in that or like, that reminds me of this feeling. And I think that only really comes from like, you know, just being 100% in your, in your you-ness, you know.
Killah Cortez: What about "Baby Blue" and "Mine"?
Jetta Juriansz: Uh, well, "Baby Blue" was also I mean, I also don't know if I've ever posted about this, but you, you reached out to me after we recorded it and you were like, send me any meaningful Sounds like send me. Yeah, send me sounds that like are meaningful to you and I'll see if I can like, use them. And I'm not gonna lie. I was like, What are you talking about? I was like, What do you mean?
Killah Cortez: You're like, Sounds good Greg. Weirdo
Jetta Juriansz: Like, Love that freak. No, I was like, What is he How is that going to work? Like, what are you talking about? Um, and I sent you a clip of the end of my sister's wedding. My sister Jade, and her husband John, at the end of their wedding, they did one of those, like, sparkler. Like tunnels. Like where you run. Oh, yeah. Run past your family. And everyone has sparklers. And I stood at the end of the tunnel, and I. Like took a video of my sister and her husband, like running down with all the sparklers. And it was basically like all of our friends and family going. Like cheering. And I love that video so much. And in a way, it's sort of encapsulated like my feelings about "Baby Blue" like that, just like pure love feeling. And so I was like, Oh, this reminds me of "Baby Blue". I've no idea what he's going to do with it. And then you like, put it in the song in like the coolest way ever. It's so cool. And I don't think anyone would know the context of it by hearing it, but in a way, it, like infuses the song with that like tingly love feeling where you're like, your heart's beating so fast and like, love is just like, overcoming. And um, so yeah, that's a part of the song and just, I think that's so special that that's, you know, solidified in space and time now because it's, it's out and people who listen to it are listening to a little slice of my sister's wedding.
Killah Cortez: I love that because that's like to me, that's so the original definition of like a record. It's meant to be like a recording, a record of time. So, so I love I love that. That's why I like to get the Easter eggs because it's like it's, it's going to be for this moment. You'll always have that story and it's just personalized. I personally like that stuff.
Jetta Juriansz: That's so I just like love that you did that. I think that just speaks to your, um, you just bring so much heart to everything you make. And you could. You can so easily, like, produce a song with no heart. It happens all the time. People. Yeah, people don't, you know, you don't think about little things like that, but the fact that you did that is just so neat. And then the music video was like pretty much the same camera team and uh, you know, uh, it was the same directors same. But I, I wanted it to be a music video with me and a boy because the song's about me and a boy. And I. I had been dating my now boyfriend of two and a half years, Nick for two weeks. We literally had known each other for two weeks.
Killah Cortez: And you set the precedent. You were like, This is the boy.
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah.
Killah Cortez: Manifesting.
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah, exactly. I'm like, you know, they say, dress for the job you want. I say cast for the relationship you want.
Killah Cortez: Amazing.
Jetta Juriansz: That was so. Yeah. I sent his like, pictures to my director and I was like, Yeah, think this guy is like, a really good fit. And she's like, Oh yeah, he's great. Like, and I sent him. I sent her like, his reel and everything. They're like, Yeah, I think he's a great fit. And then only after they were like, Yes. And we'd like gotten wardrobe for him and everything. That was like, by the way, I've been dating for two weeks.
Killah Cortez: Like, we're gonna make it work. It's not a problem.
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah, that's so funny.
Killah Cortez: They were like, I promise I won't take it down if anything happens.
Jetta Juriansz: Jetta, everyone was like, Jetta. Why? Why are you like this? Um, but I would say it was a good move . And I said this the other day, but I was like, you know, even at that time, I was like, If worse comes to worse, if things don't work out, at least I'll still have a really hot guy in my music video.
Killah Cortez: That's what I'm saying. That's what that video is. That video is so good. I feel like it's definitely underrated in the in the Jetta-verse and like, yeah, the, the, the choreography and just like the car, like, it's all, it's all just super sick.
Jetta Juriansz: Thank you. Yeah, I think partially it's because "my nothin'" is such a sad like song. I think it really resonated with the sad girls. Sad girls unite, let us rise up. But I think some people like "Baby Blue" and when I released "Baby Blue". Everyone was like, it was such a like a crazy juxtaposition that I think a lot of people were like, Hey, I wasn't done being sad. Like, why did you? You're like, Oh.
Killah Cortez: How am I going to cry now?
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah, exactly. But it's cool because I do have some friends who, um, like my friend Christina, they're a choreographer, and they choreographed, like, a whole dance. They like, had a they were teaching a dance class, and they choreographed a whole number to baby blue. And, um, like, I was like, Oh, really? Like, why didn't you pick "my nothin'"? And they were like, Oh, no, "Baby Blue" like, my favorite. Like, I, like, prefer "Baby Blue". And I just thought that was so cool, you know, like, like think "my nothin'" is sort of taken off in, in like, a big way, but it's just so cool to like it. Like, it doesn't matter. The numbers really don't matter because like, other people are going to resonate with songs more, you know, it's just kind of neat. I think that it makes me love the song even more that like I have friends that like it really hit home for and another, another gal who like makes these music videos reviewing. I got to send this to you. I don't know if I've said this to you or not, but there's this girl who, like, reviews people's, um, like albums. And she, like, did a review of my, like, all of the work I've made. And she said that "Baby Blue" is her favorite song. Oh, hold on. I'm getting a package. Hold on one. Hang on one second.
Killah Cortez: big call, big call.
Jetta Juriansz: Greg. Entertain him while I'm gone.
Killah Cortez: So you were talking about someone sent you something, a review or something like that, right?
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah, there was. There's this gal who does like YouTube reviews of, like, musicians that she likes, and she just kind of reviews all of their, like, bodies of work and stuff. And it was so cool. She just was talking about she like, went through the songs and was like describing what she likes about them and talks about the music videos. And she said, that "Baby Blue" is like her favorite song of all time. And that just is like the coolest thing ever.
Killah Cortez: That's cool. Hell yeah.
Jetta Juriansz: Right?
Killah Cortez: She's like, she's like, "my nothin'". One out of ten but "Baby Blue"
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah. She was like, unfortunately, she did just, like, spend the entire time shitting on "my nothin". No, I'm just kidding. Um, that would be so funny.
Killah Cortez: It was funny, though, what you were saying about, like, the whole, like, songs resonate with different people is I started thinking about it, like food dishes, right? Like. Like, not everyone's going to love a dish, and that's fine. And like, yeah, I think I think of a hit song is like. Like a standard dish, like, like chicken, rice and beans. Everyone loves that. It's going to be standard. Totally. But is it your favorite dish of all time? Maybe, maybe not. You might want something a little more niche. And I feel like the more niche things not everybody loves, It's just. It's what meant for you?
Jetta Juriansz: Totally. Oh, yeah. I mean, there's that saying, and that's good advice for everything all the time. Like there was that saying that's like you could be the juiciest peach of all time, the most ripe, delicious peach, and they're still going to be someone that doesn't like peaches. It's like that's just how it is. And if you're if you're going to be authentic in your peachiness and you're going to be the most delicious peach, you're going to be as peachy as possible. And they're still going to be people who like prefer pears or whatever.
Killah Cortez: bastards, I hate pears.
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah, f pears.
Killah Cortez: F pears.
Jetta Juriansz: Peaches all the way. Um, but yeah, think that's, that's kind of what, like to remind myself and it does help honestly, because, you know, so some people aren't going to get you. Like it's just I don't know a single and that's true for every art form. Like some of my favorite singers comedians. Some people are like man or like, I just don't like them. And I'm like, how? How could you like to me, it like, hit it to me. It's like I wouldn't change a thing. It's perfect. Everything hits, you know, some some people don't want to listen to ABBA every waking moment of their existence the way I do. Yeah, and those people are wrong. But it's okay. I love peaches.
Killah Cortez: Some. Some people can have bad taste. It's a free country. Kind of.
Jetta Juriansz: It's true. Yeah. It's kind of free. Free, free to have bad opinions. Um, so. Yeah.
Killah Cortez: What is your favorite movie?
Jetta Juriansz: My favorite movie is "When Harry Met Sally". I think it's perfect. And I've I when I first saw it, it, like, broke my brain a little bit. I was like, oh, my God. Because it really I don't know if this is like not the right artist thing to say. Like, don't think this makes me basic, but like, I love romantic comedies. Like to me, if I had a career like that, I would be so happy. I love romantic comedies and I like, you know, I love art, I love all art forms. But like, for some reason, rom coms hit me like a good a well-made rom com. Oh, my God. It just lays out it's so the past.
Killah Cortez: 15 years have been hard for the rom coms. They have.
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah. And I feel like.
Killah Cortez: They're coming back, right? They're starting to come back? I think.
Jetta Juriansz: So. I mean, we've had some, like, really fun ones. Like, you know, the Big Sick was great. There's been some there's been some good ones. But I don't think comedies, comedies had this heyday where people were throwing tons of money at comedies and because they were like, it's a viable, you know, genre. Like, like think of times like "The Jerk" or, you know, just sort of like these big budget huge comedies. Um, and then they sort of took a hit. They just sort of took, they took a hit. You think it was.
Killah Cortez: Like too much saturation, Like too many, too many of the same, Probably.
Jetta Juriansz: I think also and this is not meant to be like ragging on Internet humor, but because, you know, I personally love it. I love me some TikTok, I devour some TikTok. But I do think that it kind of gave it gave, you know, these big networks and producers, whatever, the idea that like comedy is meant to be bite sized and sort of cheap and and, you know, it's easy to come by and like, why would we pay so much money when you can get a laugh, you know, the cheap way, which is which is kind like they're not wrong. Like people do love a bite sized piece of comedy. But then you go on TikTok and you see there are literally Tiktokers who are posting clips of movies like literally they'll just go. And though those videos are so popular, people are like, Wow, what is this? And it's like, this is called a film. Like.
Killah Cortez: Yeah, this is called a movie. You ever heard of it?
Jetta Juriansz: This is what you're enjoying about this is the fact that it's a movie. So think, you know, my whole point is that they can all exist in their own righteousness. Like we don't have to choose. We don't have to be like, this. Is it because I think, you know, producers love to make I mean, these networks love to make big, broad statements like, oh, yeah, like this is that nobody wants this anymore. It's all about this. You know, like for a second there, like nobody wants, you know, this anymore. It's all about superhero movies. It's all super. That's all anybody wants super movies. And then they just, like, oversaturated the hell out of the superhero movies until we were drowning in them. And we're like, we're.
Killah Cortez: Like, we're done. We don't need any more superheroes. We're saved. We're saved.
Jetta Juriansz: I'm like you. New York is so fine. Like, they can't possibly have this many crises. Like, we're good. Um, yeah, and it got to a point where, you know, they and also, it just got kind of indulgent. They were like, now you have to watch all of them for any of them to make sense because it's a metaverse. It's like they're.
Killah Cortez: All connected and the TV shows that goes with it. I know. Yeah, it's too much. It's like, Dude, I don't have that much time, bro. Come on.
Jetta Juriansz: I don't. I don't. And it's also like variety. Like, it kind of lessens the value of it. It's like the food thing. It's like I love Indian food more than anything in the world. I can't eat it for every meal. I could try, but I don't think my body could handle. But yeah, and it's like, would I appreciate I appreciate Indian food because chicken tikka masala is so different than the usual, you know, coconut yogurt I have every day. It's like a different vibe and I love that about it. So yeah.
Killah Cortez: I love Indian food too. No.
Jetta Juriansz: It hits.
Killah Cortez: Damn, I was going to say something. I totally forgot. Alzheimer's. Jesus. Oh, I was going to say I just went to Katz Deli and I was like, adjacent to the. To the chair. Yeah, to the Harry Met Sally chair.
Jetta Juriansz: Oh, I lost it when I went to Katz Deli for the first time and I saw I was like, I yeah, it felt like I was, it was, it hit me way more than seeing the Statue of Liberty, I'll tell you that much. I was like, Yes, give us the broken and the worn out, whatever the Statue of Liberty said.
Killah Cortez: Oh my God. Yeah, I had it for breakfast the other day and honestly, it slapped it slapped at 9 a.m. It was packed to packed at 9 a.m. Everyone was there. Yeah.
Jetta Juriansz: You know, you think maybe I couldn't have pastrami at 9 a.m., but it turns out you can. You Absolutely.
Killah Cortez: It turns out you can. And turns out I probably might again. Yeah.
Jetta Juriansz: Turns out that's actually the new me that's actually going to be me every day.
Killah Cortez: What are your thoughts on the strikes in the film world right now? For those who have no idea what's going on, why don't you set the scene for them?
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah, so the strikes started with the WGA and they have been striking now, boy, since I think since March. It's been several months.
Killah Cortez: And those are the writers, right?
Jetta Juriansz: The writers started striking first and SAG, which is the actor's union, was already sort of we were obviously in solidarity with them from the from the get go like we were we were for the most part, all of us were already out there on the picket lines, um, with all the writers and showing support and everything. And then the, the actors union SAG also started striking, I want to say two months ago, I have no concept of time. It feels like forever ago. But yeah, we started striking as well and it, it, I saw it coming for a while. I think we all did. We all kind of knew this was going to come. Um, um, and it's still really is hitting me like, it really is like sort of. Very deeply sad. I mean, yeah, it is similar to Covid. Not at all. I don't mean to make light of either or compare them, but in the sense that like something that is so difficult can unify people. Like in a way it is kind of unifying all these artists together. And I've connected with so many writers and actors and just creatives in general over the strike, which is kind of the silver lining, I guess, that we're all like out there together in the picket lines. No matter where you are in your journey as an actor, you know, nonunion actors, writers that like aren't staffed, writers that don't haven't yet broken into, um, you know, working in these writing rooms, everybody still is sort of standing together and showing support, which is amazing.But it is kind of sad because it hit me recently and I think at first I was like, this is, you know, this is great because it means that we're going to get fair pay, which is amazing. And as an actor who works my little tushie off, it, it's it is interesting to see how different the industry is. And for context, like I would say, like my bread and butter, like my day job for the most part for the last couple of years has been working in commercials like I work in ton tons of commercials and it just doesn't pay like it used to. And, and it's all connected to each other. Like it's because it's because these streaming platforms, there were, there were any rules in place. There weren't any like rules and precedents set to make sure that everyone was, you know, getting fair pay for that. And because of that, sort of everyone in the process suffers. And um, so, yeah, you know, I've, I've booked 15 commercials this year and it, you know, ten years ago I would be able to buy a house from that like, yeah, it's, that's a crazy amount of work that I've done just commercially and, and I'm really proud of that work and I like am so happy that that is something I can do at this point in my career. But but it is kind of sad because, you know, those bookings took. Auditions and callbacks and meetings and fittings and it is a lot of work. I'm, you know, it's I right now I'm also catering so I'm like it's not like those are totally different things. Like I can I just worked you know a shift catering that like ended at 1030 and then another one that started at 545. And that's exhausting. But in a way it's like not the same as like, it's hard to like book an acting job. And when you do and it doesn't really pay you or it doesn't pay you on time or it doesn't pay you what was agreed upon or, you know, whatever, it does get really disheartening. So it hit me like a month ago, I was starting to feel really like, whoa, like this is sort of something I've given my life to, that I'm love. I'm like in love with this job and with the life I've created. And that in times like this where they're just not willing, the AMPTP isn't like willing to reach an agreement with us at all, or even something that resembles, like, livable wages. Um, it does feel like, wow, this industry doesn't love me back. It feels like unrequited, which is kind of like a sad thing.
Killah Cortez: Yeah, I mean, that's the thing that that hits me the most. And I don't know the full details, but I think just from a bird's eye view, I feel like what's happening with this strike is happening all across our economy, where I think it's driven by a lot of corporate greed. And I think that like, it's clear, like this one's pretty clear to me that that the people leading these companies only care about the bottom line and they're not in it for the same reasons that these writers are in it. Actors are in it. Like you said, you're in it for the love of it. You know, some people are there to get paid and for fame or whatever, but you don't stay doing something like this, any art form, unless you really, really love it because yeah, it's a challenging road. Unless I mean, unless you got rich parents or something. But it's like, you know, but you know, it's like it's a hard road and it's clear that the other side of this is not is not for that. A lot of them are just suits trying to justify why they get paid. And and to your point, like. The world, the movie world. And I'd say the music world wasn't ready for streaming. But here's the thing. We're in 2023 now. I mean, streaming was around in like 2008, 2009 already. Right? Right. Like we're we're already kind of down the line. Like they need to figure it out. And look, and here's the thing, too, is like just like another business. Like if you can't if you can't make it work with the given system, you got to shut down or you got to restructure. And it's like, if streaming isn't working, then you need to restructure. Like you need to fix it because or do something else because it's not working.
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah, 100%. And I think that's true. I think that the streaming thing really translates to every art form. I'm like, when you think about as a musician, the like the money we make from Spotify, for instance, which is like, you know, it's just wild. I think part of it is just the disconnect is so huge. Like the people like Bob Iger is like, I will never meet the man. And I've worked on Disney, like, you know what I mean? It's like, yeah, he has no idea what it means to he. He's not. We're living totally different lives. He doesn't really know what it's like to make this amount of money and try to live. And I honestly, frankly, don't think he really cares. Um, which is, is really sad. It's like it's it's a sad thing. And I agree that if you're an artist and you're in the struggle of it because it is a struggle and it really doesn't like stop and not in a way that hopefully scares people out of like doing this. I think that, um, if anything like the love of something is what kind of drives you through those really tough times and all the rejection and all the the hard stuff that comes with it. But love cannot pay your bills like it can't. It simply cannot. It cannot pay for for my bills the way that like, money needs to. And while I love this more than anything and I've done it for free 1,000,000 trillion times, I still deserve I deserve the right to, like, survive and live, especially in the cities that, you know, require us to live in them in order to do this job. It's like, you know, living in New York, in LA, they're like the two most expensive cities in the United States. And. And. They expect us to be here and work on their shows and to make their music and all that stuff. It's like we gotta we, we gotta be able to afford to, you know?
Killah Cortez: Yeah, yeah. I mean, I was just there a few days ago and I was, I was in New York for approximately two hours between the train ride and Katz. Mhm. I was, I was already $78 down. That's what I'm two hours you know, I'm just like, I'm just like, damn New York, New York. Don't play around, you know,
Jetta Juriansz: Just to survive. I mean, just like living. It's like you're like, I'm not even like you have to pay to, like, stay alive here. It's crazy. Yeah, it's. It's so hard. I, um. Yeah, I was talking to because I just got this catering job, and it's. I haven't had, um, a like, a job job in. In a little bit. It's good because I've just been acting for so long, and, um. I think, you know, it's a lot of things brought this on like the obviously the strikes I can't you know make the money that I have been able to and I did this big move across the country and New York is expensive and all those things. But it like in a way it's it's. Like it made me think about all these interviews I'm seeing of these actors who were on shows providing entertainment and like entertainment is what fuels. At least it fuels me. I'm like, I work in entertainment. And still at the end of the day, I want to, like, listen to my songs that motivate me and like fuel me. And I want to watch the shows that inspire me and like entertain me and transport me to other worlds. And I want to go to the movie theater and I want to sit in my seat and I want to see movies that like had all this heart and soul soul poured into them. And I need that. And I think that the world needs that. Like, the world needs artists. And yeah, I think it made me think about all these actors who I loved working on shows that I loved, that like had to work other jobs just to afford to to work as an actor. It's crazy.
Killah Cortez: Yeah. I mean, it's it's they consider it America's biggest export we make. We make so much on it as, as a commodity. And it's like it's only fair to pay the people that are creating these things.
Killah Cortez: You know, one of the things that I saw and we talked about this a few weeks back is like. What I do really admire about the actors going on strike is like how many big actors, you know, stood like have like stepped up for for their smaller actor peeps, you know? And I think.
Jetta Juriansz: Totally.
Killah Cortez: I think there's a lot to learn from that because in in I feel like in the movie world or TV world, there's definitely like your Bob Iger's way up there. Then you got your like top level actors who they might be above by Bob Iger, but a lot of them are like right below still. And, and then you have like a whole bunch of like actors underneath that are like the working actors, the blue collar actors. Totally. And, and it's such a it's such a different world for each one. So it's very important that those high level actors are are taking up the cause. Yeah.
Jetta Juriansz: And for the most part, again, unless they're a nepo baby and which is totally okay, I'm not like ragging on the nepo, but.
Killah Cortez: I'm not anti Nepo.
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Jetta Juriansz: I'm not anti Nepo. I, you know, I'm an actor. And if if I become a successful, famous actor and my child wants to be an actor, I'm going to do everything in my power to make that possible because it is really hard. So, you know, it's no shade to nepo, but for the most part, you, your actress who are making it are regular people that had to work really, really hard to get to that level. And so a lot of them just know what it's like. They just know what it's like to not make that paycheck. And the more people that we have, the more like A-list celebrities that are able to make it out to the picket lines and are vocal about their support, it really does make a difference. Like I, I think sometimes people like on that level feel like, oh, they don't want to hear from me or like they're going to think it's like performative activism or whatever. I think that's the reason a lot of celebrities stay out of a lot of causes, to be honest. I think they're like, Oh, they like, they don't want to hear. It's like they do. They do. And, you know, we we live in a bubble, like most of the people I know and love are in the arts. That's just because I live in New York and I lived in LA and all of my friends are little artists like me. And it's really easy to feel like, Oh, everybody knows or like everybody gets like whatever. And um, and I would say the same politically. I think a lot of people are like, Oh, I don't need to like that. I don't need to talk about that or I don't need to I don't need to give a stance on this. And it's like, you do, you should because you don't know what sort of influence you have. Like you don't know, like how much of a difference like your opinion can make on people. And, and and one person can equal lots of people and can equal the world. So it's like it's yeah, it's really important that you stand up for what it's right even if it, you know, doesn't have anything to do with you. I've had I've had people especially, you know, this is taking a pivot into politics just lightly. But like I think like being people that live in LA or New York, you know, you're surrounded by a lot of people who have the same opinions as you like. That's, um, I would say one of the nicer things about, like, living in these big cities is they are extremely diverse. Like, they are full of working people. They are full of tons of people with different backgrounds, different like sexualities, genders, race, gender expressions, all those things. And so oftentimes I think people feel like, oh, this is just common sense, like this is just how things are. And that's just simply not the way that's just simply not reflective of the way that the a lot of the people in America see the way the world should be. And so it's it's so important that we take that into account when we do anything. Like I think a lot of people are like, well, things have changed. It's like when people are like racism over like, hello, It's, you know, it's just 23. It's like, it's not over. It's not.
Killah Cortez: It's not over. It's just changed.
Jetta Juriansz: It's exactly it's not enough to be not racist. You have to be anti-racist. You have to be you have to be so vocal about what is good and evil in this world. And that is the only way that things change. And if you remain tepid about it, if you remain lukewarm about it, that's kind of what allows those bad things to be tolerated and those bad things to withstand years, years and years of just systemic problems. You know, it's. Yeah, yeah. Anyways, yeah.
Killah Cortez: Staying on staying on the sidelines is definitely not the way to advance anything. And, and you're totally right. Like I think if there's any, any causes and things that need people behind them, especially being in the arts, you know because a lot of what we do is build platforms. Yeah, you have to use your platform to help uplift people. Yes. And, and um, yeah, that's a great point.
Jetta Juriansz: I think also like people that. When if you are in a place where you feel like you can stay out of a. Um, an issue or a topic. If you are someone who's like, Oh, no, no reason to get involved, it's usually because you're coming from a place of privilege. It's usually because it doesn't affect you like or you think it doesn't, you know, and, and say staying lukewarm on these things or, or not feeling the need to add to the dialog in any way usually means just like you're you're at a place of privilege that this you feel like this is not going to affect your lifestyle in any way, but you should care about you should care about people that aren't just you like you should care about your neighbors. You should care about your community and about people at large.
Killah Cortez: Well, other other people's rights are just a step away from your rights. Like you. You have like you have to you have to speak up for certain things. And and if you see wrongs and rights and, you know, from my perspective, it's also like, um. There's so much now that's confusing about media because we get inundated by it and there's so much coming from the left, so much coming from the right, and it all kind of like it becomes difficult to to feel like you can trust anything that you're hearing.
Jetta Juriansz: Right.
Killah Cortez: And I think it's important to just people have to be almost like better citizens now. Like you have to go out and like do your own research, try and find the most reputable sources that you can, talk with people and get other perspectives. And, you know, like one thing I've been personally trying to like advocate more for is just making sure we don't close dialog from whatever background it is, because I tend to think this is me. I tend to think that everyone comes from a good hearted place, but somewhere along the way their view might get skewed. And like I think at the end of the day, like everyone wants the same things. They want to be able to take care of their families. They want to be able to put food on the table. And then and then all this set of beliefs gets built around that, and we kind of end up in this weird same space with a totally different set of beliefs. But now we're at a place where I think now everyone is so forward about it on social media and everything where, you know, people can have these arguments and and they get closed off. And in a weird way, sometimes they believe the same thing, but they're having an argument just based on ideology. And it's like, maybe we just need to listen to each other a little more in order to help that healing and help understanding, because I think understanding is what we're missing.
Jetta Juriansz: Totally. Yeah. I think, I think talking to each other, I think that's really great and like getting the information like it, Oh gosh, I think I have another package, which is crazy. I swear. Don't have a shopping addiction. Hold on.
Jetta Juriansz: I think you were spot on when you said that we should talk to other people, because I think that so much this feels like the humanness aspect of it gets lost because sometimes it just sometimes feels like buzzwords. And this headline I read or this TikTok I saw and and like, I must be right and you must be wrong. And it's like at the end of the day, we're all just like people and with real feelings and thoughts and hearts. And and these issues aren't just about winning. They affect real people. They really, really affect people. And they really make differences to human lives. And that's why they're important. It's not about being right or winning or whatever. It's about loving the people around you. And if you really get to the heart of it, like. It's more than just like, right and wrong. It's just more about, like. Like protecting each other and loving each other.
Killah Cortez: Yeah. Yeah, I've, I've kind of settled on a on a on a method for me to like, make decisions about issues is like and it's not, it's not foolproof. It's just something that I try to do is like, I try and think about how many any given issue or decision like how is this going to help the most people possible? Is this good for the most people possible? I love Judge and then I judge whatever it is based off of that. And it's not foolproof. Like some things, some things you need the minority to like have a voice more so than the majority. And I mean, that's that's a lot of cases. But that's definitely one of the things that that I look for. What are, what are some issues that you like to champion yourself?
Jetta Juriansz: Wow, there's so many. I think one of the things that will obviously women's rights matter a lot to me. I have five sisters. I was like raised and surrounded and was brought up by like strong, incredible women. So reproductive rights, women's rights, those are all things that mean a lot to me. And then my youngest sister, Annabel, has Down syndrome. And so, like the needs of special needs, people like Neurodivergent people, those those needs and those rights mean a lot to me as well. And it's weird. It's a weird thing. I it is like shocking to me how many people still use the "R" word like casually. It is like so jarring. I am I yeah. See, like I'm like, wasn't there like a whole revolution in the early 2000 where we all agreed? We don't say that anymore. Like, I'm like, why is this still happening? It's crazy and I have to check it with myself. I'm like, you know? I don't know if a lot of people have someone so close to them in their lives that has special needs, and I think that might be part of it. But I also think just people don't get checked on it very much. It just feels like one that sort of snuck under the rug and is still sort of happening without anyone being like, I think if it happens, people who don't say it are like are like weird. They said, the thing that we don't say, but it's no big deal. It's not like a really bad one. So it's like perpetuated like this weird habit of people saying the R word and I will, I will stop someone. I don't care if I am. Four glasses of wine deep, and I'm at a crowded bar and I hear someone out of the corner of my ear saying across the bar, I will just sort of like walk over and be like, Hey, like, I just want to talk about why you use that word. And like, what? What it was a synonym for when you used it. Because almost always it's like they're trying to say dumb or stupid or idiot or whatever, and they're like, Oh, no, I just meant it like, you know, like, okay, well, do you get what that implies? Like, do you do you understand what you're saying when you use that word in this context? Like and, and also get creative about it, like use a different word. Come on. Like, there are so many. The human language is so vast. There are so many fun words to choose from. Can we be done with that one?
Killah Cortez: Because we're pretty far now when I feel like that was getting used a lot and it's like, Yeah, we can move on from that. Yeah, I have.
Jetta Juriansz: Let's pivot away.
Killah Cortez: I was going to say I have I have a brother with special needs now and it's, it's rough. I mean, even beyond like the, the language, like the rights and the systems in place to help to help them and the families. It's it's such a huge issue because like, man, it's impossible to get actual state help for any of that stuff or if they do, it's just like it's such a pain in the ass and it's like they don't want to help. They want to do the bare minimum. But it's I feel like it's such a, it's, it's such a thing that not everyone's affected and it, there's just not enough voices behind that.
Jetta Juriansz: Oh yeah. I think I think also it's it's a new thing. Ableism at least in my awareness. It's like seems like a new thing that people are starting to wrap their minds around that like that this, this country is not set up. It's not conducive for any people with any disabilities at all. Physically or mental emotional like it just is not like school is not conducive for anyone with any sort of special needs or any sort of like non neurotypical ness and like and the country's just not set up like New York even is just now sort of trying to make it accessible for people with like wheelchairs and stuff like that. And it just seems insane. I'm like, non neurotypical. People have been around always, always like, why? Why is it just now we're starting to sort of see them as people who deserve quality of life and deserve access to things that are just standard to human existence? And there was yeah, some, some things that have come up with I'm sure you've experienced this too, with your brother. It's just crazy. The the roadblocks that come up for Annabel, like just to experience regular kid stuff. Like she's, she just started high school. She's a teenager. Very fun. Love it. She's so funny. Um, but, you know, she's been going to this one summer camp for, like, years and years and years, and they just decided one year, like, she's too old for the camp now. And Annabel, having special needs and having Down syndrome, she's, you know, she's still, in lots of ways is like a kid like she wants to play and she really gets along with middle schoolers and she really gets along with elementary school kids. And, um, and she it's important to her that she's around neurotypical kids. Like she, she really fits in, in both spaces. And, and we think it's important that she's able to, like, have experiences and make friends and make memories in any space she wants to. And she has such a great time at this camp. And one day they just decided like, oh, she's too old and now she can't come. And and we were kind of like, well, she's she feels like just the same, like she, she wants to be with these kids. Like, how is it, how is it?
Killah Cortez: What's the big deal?
Jetta Juriansz: Yeah, what's the big deal? And they sort of were like, well, we don't, you know, we don't have, uh, the things she needs. Like we, we can't provide, like a special person to watch after her, which, like lots of kids do have dates for that. And there should be like, there should be things in place that can, you know, provide support like that to those kids. And Annabel isn't one of those kids who needs, you know, a special sitter or a special person to watch after her if she's in a group setting, you know, apart from already the camp counselors that are there and they just acted like she was such a burden. They like, really acted like there's just no way we can't accommodate her. And it was like she doesn't need accommodating. She just wants to keep going to this camp.
Killah Cortez: She was there before. You guys were accommodating before. What's the problem?
Jetta Juriansz: And it was such an issue. My mom like it was my mom. It has such a great she does such a great job of sort of like rising above and staying optimistic and. This was one of those times where it was like she just was coming up against a wall. And like, no matter what she said, they're like, No, sorry. Like, we don't make exceptions. And it just felt like it just it just felt like they hadn't thought about this at all. And there were any. Any rules in place and any accommodations being made for people with special needs. It was a big bummer, but so my mom had to like take it to the state, like she had to, like, have several meetings about it just so our sister could go to camp. But it worked out. She made it so.
Jetta Juriansz: Good on your mom for speaking up. I mean. Yeah, that's. Yeah, the roadblock thing is real. Like, I feel. I feel like every every month something new pops up, and it's just. It's a challenge and it's. And it's hard. It's hard not only for for the person, but it's hard for the families. And it's like, totally just so much, you know? Yeah.
Killah Cortez: This is a great segue to my next question and it might be related. So you've always stricken me as such a heart on your sleeve kind of person. Great vibes, great energy, always light up the room. So I asked this next question with like, sincere curiosity. When you've been met with adversity and challenges, challenges in your life, what are like ways, strategies, and tips on how to keep yourself like so level and up? You're able to keep the great vibes energy so high seemingly at all times. And it's something I really admire about you. And I'm hoping just to get a little insight from what I consider a vibe master, aka you.
Jetta Juriansz: Okay, well, if I ever pivot and become a DJ, vibe master is so gonna be my name. Thank you so much for all of those kind words. That's so nice of you to say. Um, I think the truth is that, like, I don't. I. I haven't always been able to keep the vibes good. Like, there have been times where I've faced adversity or I was having an issue and I just didn't handle it well, honestly. And I think over time I've gotten better at sort of like leveling out my my feelings and, and just understanding that like, I can't fix everything. I can't make everything exactly the way I want it to be. I'll always end up coming up short when I try to do that and when I allow myself to sort of turn into a fix it all person and like, No, no, this has to be no, we'll work it out and like, this will be good. I always regret it later because like, sometimes it just isn't good. Like sometimes situations aren't good. Sometimes people are going to misunderstand you and they aren't going to get your intentions and you aren't going to get what you want and it's going to really suck. Like, yeah, and that's okay too. And I think letting yourself. Letting yourself react and like be emotional is totally okay sometimes and try to have Grace for myself when those times happen. Because your girl, especially when I feel misunderstood, I hate that feeling. I hate feeling like someone is talking to me and they're trying to handle me in a way where they think I feel one way and I actually feel another way that I would say that's like my pet peeve when I'm like, I'm trying to communicate how I feel and someone's like, diagnosing me with a different feeling. I don't know if that resonates. I literally lose my mind. I'm like, I hate I hate being misunderstood. Um, which is not a good thing because misunderstandings happen all the time. Um, yeah, but. But I do. The one thing I do do, do do. The one thing I do do is I try to love. So much. I try to love myself so hard. I try to love the people around me so much because I feel that almost everything can be resolved with love. Almost everything and almost all of my inner personal inner conflict feelings can be resolved with love as well. And so I spend a lot of my time. I would say it's like the the thing I'm most proactive about is like just working on my mental health and working on loving myself better. I, I really my boyfriend and I talk about this a lot because, um, Nick is, is I hope he doesn't mind me talking about this. I don't think he will. He he's so hard on himself. I think he is like, I'm, I could say a million things about him. He's like, one of the most talented people on the planet. One of the most kind, loving, genuine, smart, funny. He's, to me, a perfect specimen. I'm like,
Killah Cortez: We love you, Nick.
Jetta Juriansz: We love Nick. I just wouldn't change a single thing about him. And he is the meanest person in the world to himself. He treats himself like garbage. He like, doesn't let him. He won't let himself catch a break. It's insane. He's so hard on himself. I think a lot of people are like that. I think we're a lot of people are just like, we just don't let themselves slip up. They don't let themselves make mistakes. And so I try really hard to. Um, to with Nick. I try really hard to, like, help him figure out ways that he can love himself better because it is the most important thing you can do. And we're responsible for our own experience. We're totally responsible for the way we see life. That is 100% our job. That is our responsibility, that is in our hands, and life will happen and things come at you and those things are out of our control. But what is in our control is how we choose to process the things that come our way. And I try really hard to process everything with like love and grace for myself and love and grace for the people around me for the most part. And so for me that means a lot of like self-love self-talk. I like, I try to like hype myself up. I try to like pat myself on the back whenever I can. Um, and whenever I do have like, thoughts that are like super doubtful or super negative, I try to obliterate them. The second, the second I recognize it. It's like it's there was a saying I heard once that like, the first thought you have is actually just like the way that you were trained to think or like, you know, the way you were taught to think. But the second you thought, the second thought you have whatever thought comes after that first thought is actually you. That's like actually your true voice. So if the first thought I have. If I look in the mirror one day, it's like, oh, like, don't like what I see. Or like, this isn't working for me or like, I don't like how this looks. If, if my second thought is like, hold up. No, no, no, no, no. I love myself. I'm so much more than what I look like today. I'm so much more than this zit on my forehead. I am so much better than, you know, whatever this vibe is, whatever that insecurity was, then I just know that. That I can trust that second thought. I'm like, that second thought is Jetta. That's me. That's totally me. That first thought. Don't know her. Don't know who that was. Like can't can't speak to what her thoughts are, can't trust her, don't like her. Um, but the second thought, that's Jetta and that girl loves me and that girl loves the people around her. And that girl is someone that I'm really proud of and who I've worked really hard to become. And I yeah, I just really encourage everyone to, to love themselves that way. And it sounds like it's not it. I think a lot of the times we're especially as like artists were like so much more about like what's proactive in a career way. Like, yeah, but that's not as proactive as, you know, promoting my whatever or like finishing writing this thing or collaborating on a book.
Jetta Juriansz: And it's like those things are all important and they will come. But like, none of that really matters if you aren't treating yourself with love because you're not going to you're not going to be able to create to your your best potential you and you're not going to experience it. Well, and literally, we're not on this earth to achieve. We're on this earth to experience. We're supposed to like live like it doesn't matter how much you collect, it doesn't matter how many awards you get or whatever successful or boxes you check off it. I promise it does not matter. It will not make a difference to you. What will matter is how you feel in those moments and and that is your responsibility. So yeah, that's that's the thing I would say. I'm a proactive person in general. Like I do try I do work really hard for my career, but like I'm always going to work for my soul first and foremost, because that is the way that I see the world. And if if the way I see the world isn't healthy or isn't coming from a place of like light and truth and love, and it really doesn't matter how successful I am. And I find that when I'm loving myself well and when I'm treating myself with respect and I'm treating the people around me well and and I'm treating them around the people around me with respect. I create work that I'm proud of and I and it always serves me well. So in that way, it is like the most proactive thing you can do with your time and with your life.
Killah Cortez: Wow. Wow. Those are some of the the wisest words that have ever been said on this podcast. And I really appreciate you taking the time to say all that, and I have a lot to say on it, but I won't right now because I know you have a time crunch and I have a few more questions I want to ask you. But that was that was beautiful. I'm going to I'm going to go back and read that word for word. That was amazing.
Killah Cortez: Let's talk a little bit about the song that just came out. We just put out a song called "Static Boo", and I started writing it back in Joshua Tree in 2020. And then I brought in my friend producer Bobby Renz to come in and finish a track and then totally got stuck on lyrics, as I do. And and I was like, Who would be a good person to help me finish this thing? And you came to mind. And I also thought like she'd be amazing on the track as a singer, so called you. And I just want to give a tiny backstory for the listeners. So "Static Boo", what it is, is like we haven't talked about it till like right now. So it's "Static Boo" is like a company. Okay, so it's this company that this inventor made. So the idea is like I used to like Mega Man and Sonic the Hedgehog a lot, and they always had these, like, crazy. Dr. Robot inventors. Yes. And and so this is this character. This character is going to make these, like, relationship robots and like, they're going to to me, it's like the next evolution of what we're kind of seeing right now. Like, you know, I stepping in and we're going to see these relationship robots that come out and people are going to like, they're going to look like humans, act like humans, they're going to be robots. And then we're going to have these big social issues with them because, like, humanity is declining because everyone's getting with these robots. And and so anyway, so the song itself, like "Static Boo" is the company, Muse is the, is the model. It's like the Muse 1.0, it's the model of the robot. And the song itself is like an infomercial jingle for the song ( Robot ). And this song came together as we wrote and finished the thing. And, and yeah, I'm so stoked with how it came out and. Yeah. Any, any thoughts? Anything, anything to add?
Jetta Juriansz: I'm just obsessed with your brain. Like, I love that. I just love that. Um, I love creating music from a story perspective. And this is just so totally one of these. Like, I. I just love it. I, I'm super proud of the song. First of all, it's just like such a bop. I it was so fun to write the lyrics for and like thinking of it as a jingle, which just made it so fun to write, especially because, like, I'm a commercial copywriter, so I've written like commercials and stuff. So in a way I was like, I can totally see myself writing this jingle in the future. But I actually wrote a song and I this didn't click until just now. I wrote a song years ago when I was like 22 called The Fountain of Age, and it was like it was supposed to be a jingle for like instead of the fountain of Youth, it was basically like a pill that you could take that would age you quicker. And it's basically yeah, and it was just sort of a jingle about like basically like you're tired of life, you want to get it over with, Let's all age quicker. And it had a similar vibe. It was like similarly like sort of this post-apocalyptic jingle. Um, and when I used to play it live, I think people were like, What is this? But like, I'm just so happy that we made this because in a way this is like the way better version of that idea. And it's so, so fun. And I love all the stuff you've made. I feel like it just like. It's just so cool because I can like, I can totally tell it like started in Joshua Tree. It has that. Like, I always feel like you have this sort of like, desert rock vibe.
Killah Cortez: Um, that's cool.
Jetta Juriansz: That really resonates with my Arizona heart. Um, so yeah, I can totally hear where that came from. And this was so much fun to write on with you, like, so, so proud of it. So fun.
Killah Cortez: What are you working on now? What do you want to plug? What's coming up? What's happening?
Jetta Juriansz: Ooh. Well, I have a couple writing things coming up that I'm not allowed to talk about yet, but I'm super excited. I'll be posting about them when I can, and so they'll be out there. And I have a show coming up next week. Don't know when this will be coming out, but in New York, if you're if you're local, I have a show on the 19th in Brooklyn at the Makers ensemble. So I'll be playing some live music there. And I have a short coming out called "Mistakes You Make Before You Die". I co-wrote it with my friend Nicole Lipp, who directed, and it is just so fun. It's feel like tonally stuff that you and I really like. It's like basically about this couple where one of them has been in remission for cancer and like has decided to the cancer comes back and they've decided not to get treatment again. And so their partner would played by me is like write a bucket list of things that'll like you know in the hopes that it'll like make them excited about life again and inspire them to try fighting the cancer again. And instead they sort of write this like really bizarre list of like weird things because they look at life as like just how you make the same mistake over and over again in your life, Like all you do is just make the same mistake and learn the same lesson over and over. And they're basically just like tired of learning that lesson. So they just made it a list of new mistakes to make before they die. So so it's a short where it starts with them trying to complete the first thing on the list, which is, uh, participate in an orgy. So that's all I'll say about it. But it's a comedy. It's my favorite stuff. It's. It's a rom com with a lot of heart, and I'm super proud of it. Can't wait for it to be released. But yeah, other than that, probably more music, more art, more funny stuff. And I would love for anyone listening to be a part of it. So please follow along on the journey. I'm at schmechta on Instagram. It's like Jetta, but with Sch it's Schmetta. And yeah, hope I make more stuff with Greg because you're like one of my favorite collaborators in the world. I just love.
Killah Cortez: We definitely will. Last very last question for you, for the world. What would you put on a billboard if you could?
Jetta Juriansz: Uh, okay. Oh, boy. It's got to be. Share your light. Think that everybody has a light inside of them. And I think that everyone shouldn't be afraid to share it. Like the stuff that makes you you is the stuff that makes the world turn, baby. Like, share it, show it. Be it. Be the most you that you can be. I think that is the most important thing you can do with your time on earth. And I love seeing that in other people. And I will continue to try sharing my light as well, as long as you promise to share yours.
Killah Cortez: Jetta, thank you so much for doing this and we'll be talking soon. Thank you for taking the time.
Jetta Juriansz: Thank you. Thank you so much. It was so fun to talk with you and can't wait to make another thing soon.
Killah Cortez: Let's do it. Adios.
Jetta Juriansz: Bye.
Killah Cortez: Once again, thank you to Jetta Juriansz for coming on the KC show. Go check out her Spotify to hear her music and also go check out her YouTube channel for all kinds of Jetta content. You can find other episodes of the Killah Cortez show, my socials, show notes, links and a full transcription of this episode at the Killah Cortez show.Com you can listen to my music, buy some merch or show your support over at Killah Cortez dot com. You can also show support for the show by giving us five stars on Spotify or like / comment on YouTube. Thank you for listening and until next time, adios.