Lifest 2003 Artist Spotlight
Jeni Varnadeau
Mélange
Jeni Varnadeau
Independent
Mélange is a CD of rediscovery with a "hodgepodge" of songs from Jeni's past, present, and possible future. The songs on this disc range from power-pop, dance, pop-praises, and contemporary rock. Two of my favorites are "Why Would You Go Back," a spunky pop-rock tune and "I See You," another pop-rock tune. There are two tracks on Mélange that were recorded in French as Jeni is looking towards a European audience.
Over all, Mélange is a pleasing mixture of Jeni's best efforts, but most of all there is something electric about Jeni's voice that just lights me up.
Ken - What's up with Jeni?
Jeni - Well quite a few things. I am trying to write a lot of new songs right now to work towards a new album. I'm also shopping for a new label. I recently finished a new album called Mélange that I put together for the European market. We do a good bit of touring in Europe. I've always had a heart for missions, but the more that I travel I'm starting to see that my heart gravitates towards Europe. I took french in high school and college and I just love the language. So we started doing some recordings in French. When we were touring [in the] fall of 2002 we had some writers in Switserland that were fluent in French, and so we wrote a song completely in French. It's not a translation and it's on the new album. That's my favorite song on the album.
I am working on another tour this fall in Europe, [including] a workshop for teen age girls. I have a non-profit organization called chic-chat and I offer a workshop for teenaged girls. I've been doing this since January of 2000 and I speak on hair, make-up, dating, sexual purity, how to study your bible, nutrition, exercise, prayer, peer pressure, dealing with parents, all those things girls deal with. I've written a manual that the girls get with the workshop as a tool. Last year I wrote a bible study specifically for teen age girls.
A lot of different little projects going on, but basically continuing the music, and reaching out specifically to teen age girls.
For more information on Jeni and her ministry visit her official web site at www.jenivarnadeau.com.