Jennifer Weist: She experienced trauma when she was young

Jennifer Weist (35) became known throughout Germany as the frontwoman of the band Jennifer Rostock. With their participation in the Bundesvision Song Contest 2008, the group of five made a name for themselves for the first time. But after ten years, the band announced in 2017 that they were taking a break – in 2018 the musicians were on stage together for the last time. Now Jennifer Weist is back with her first solo project.

Under the stage name Yaenniver, the voice power will release their album “Nackt” this Friday (February 18). The 35-year-old, who grew up on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom, then processes personal experiences – but also denounces social structures. “I want to use my art to draw attention to grievances in our society,” explains the interpreter in an interview with the news agency spot on news. In addition, Jennifer Weist talks about sexualised violence, the dangers of social media and why women are still underrepresented in the music industry.

Her new album is titled “Naked”. Why did you choose this name?

Jennifer Weist: Jennifer Rostock was a combination of us five musicians, both lyrically and musically. Yaenniver is all about me for the first time. About my story, my feelings and about topics that move me as a private person. “Naked” means for me to drop all covers. Showing myself defenseless, but primarily emotional. In my songs I sing about socially relevant topics such as gender-specific sexualized violence, legalization of cannabis, polyamorous relationships and sexual self-determination. But in songs like “Seebrücke” or “Outro” I also talk about my childhood and decisive experiences that have accompanied me to this day. With my art, I want to draw attention to grievances in our society. But the listeners will get to know me from another, very vulnerable side on the album “Nackt”.

“Girl Girl” is a duet with Luci van Org. The song is based on her 90s hit “Girl”. In it you address problems that every woman knows – for example being touched by men without being asked when partying. Why do you think sexual assault is still a problem?

Weist: Sexualized violence, sexual assault or harassment are a problem for men, but up until now only we women have had to bear the consequences. “Girls Girls” is a call to all men to finally stand by our side in the fight against sexualized violence. Every third woman is affected by sexualized violence and we can only solve this problem if we break out of the existing patriarchal structures. Sexualised violence is a radical instrument of power in the man taking possession of the woman and this is not sanctioned by our society, but consciously protected. If that doesn’t change, the problem itself won’t change either.

On your album you also sing about topics such as polyamory and cannabis. How important is it for you to talk about such things?

Weist: When I talk about topics such as sexual self-determination, alternative relationship concepts and the legalization of cannabis, I am asked why I am doing this. Unfortunately, artists who talk about monogamous relationships, lovesickness, parties, bitches and fast cars are never asked this question. These topics reflect my way of thinking and ultimately also my reality of life. I think it’s important to talk about it in order to initiate a discourse in our society – but also to realize myself as an artist.

The emotional song “Seebrücke” is about a special person in your life. Do you want to reveal who the song is about and the story behind it?

Weist: “Seebrücke” is probably the most personal and emotional song on my album “Nackt”. I sing about my childhood in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and decisive experiences from that time that have accompanied me to this day. The song is an inner monologue between me and my younger self – little Jennifer, whom I had to leave behind at the Baltic Sea in order to be able to continue on my way. Little Jennifer is a symbol of the trauma I experienced at a young age, but tried to repress for a very long time – until it finally caught up with me. Only now, also through the writing process of “Seebrücke”, am I ready to allow all the pain of the past and accept it as part of my story.

They are committed to more equality – also in the music business. Why do you think there are still fewer successful female singers than male singers?

Weist: There are not only less successful singers, but also less successful authors, podcasters – the list could go on forever. It must be because we women are just not as good, smart and funny as the men. But seriously, men still support more men than women. They tend to listen to male artists, podcasts by men, read books by male authors. You can see that in many statistics. My followers on Instagram are 70 percent female. In conclusion, however, I no longer have female followers, but fewer male ones.

With musicians, authors or podcasters it’s much more balanced – they usually have an equal number of male and female followers. Unfortunately, this discrepancy is due to internalized misogyny. Internalized sexism, which we all learn from birth and have to unlearn – including us women. However, this does not happen by itself, but must be done actively, because our selection is a subconscious process. We all need to start consciously listening to more music or podcasts by women and reading more books by women authors. That’s the only way things can change.

Anyone who speaks their mind must inevitably face headwinds. How do you deal with negative comments?

Weist: If you comment on political events or release songs on socially relevant topics, you always have to live with criticism from other people. I am a critical person myself, so I can understand questions about texts, videos, interviews or posts and am happy to answer them. However, if I get insulted in messages from people I don’t know or if they attack, I don’t understand it. The person will be blocked immediately. I only have time for constructive criticism. But taking this to heart is part of it for me. It is important that we stay in touch with each other in order to learn from each other and develop further.

Many people look up to you – do you see yourself as a role model?

Weist: In the past, I would certainly have answered this question with “no”. Today, however, I see the responsibility that I have as a public figure and I gladly accept it. However, it doesn’t matter at all whether I see myself as a role model or not. With everything I say and do, what I speak up for or against, through my educational and educational work, which I do through my songs, but also in social media or through interviews, I am clearly a role model or an inspiration for other people.

You are sometimes more, sometimes less active on Instagram. To what extent do you see dangers in social media?

Weist: Social media often give us a seemingly perfect world. We put blurs and filters on our faces and actually on our whole lives to keep up with our favorite stars and influencers. Those who do not conform to the social ideal of beauty, and that is the case for the majority of us, can quickly feel ugly or inadequate. In severe cases, this can lead to mental illness. That’s why I often have to take breaks and concentrate on my life and the people outside of social media.

A tour is planned for 2022. How much are you looking forward to being able to give concerts in front of an audience again after all this time?

Weist: The stage is a home for me. Singing, dancing, entertaining – that’s not just a job, it’s my calling. I can’t think of anything better than being on tour! In these hours on stage I feel absolutely free and happy and I hope I can convey this feeling to my visitors too.

Are there songs that you no longer want to play live?

Weist: I love all the songs I’ve made so far – without exception. If I don’t play songs live, it’s because I can’t for emotional reasons. Unfortunately, when songs touch me so much that I have to cry, when I can’t distance myself from the feeling of sadness or anger, it’s not possible to play the song live. That’s why “Seebrücke” isn’t on my set list on “Naked on Tour”.

In 2018 you were part of the “X Factor” jury. Which TV show would you still be interested in?

Weist: Actually all TV shows that have something to do with music. I could very well imagine “Sing my song”, “Voice of Germany” or “The Masked Singer”.