A Chat With Um, Jennifer?
BY KATHERINE CHUNGUm, Jennifer? is a trans duo based in New York City, formed by Eli (he/him) and Fig (she/they). Both are singers and guitarists and enjoy playing other instruments on the side. In the recording studio, Eli plays drums and bass while both contribute through guitars and vocals. Though they've only been in the industry for two years, Um, Jennifer? is already impressing fans with their bold, unapologetic lyrics about the trans experience and their unique sound. The duo stands out for their fun, whimsical, and honest approach. In this interview, they discuss their sound, influences, and what’s next for the band.
Photo Credit: Sarah McDonald
Finding Musical Inspiration and New Music Coming Soon
Over the past two years, the duo has embraced a more experimental sound, with Eli and Fig's songwriting and music videos consistently reflecting their personal experiences. Eli began the conversation by discussing the music style of Um, Jennifer? “Our style is something we like to call trans sl*t rock. It falls somewhere between punk and indie rock. We have an EP, called The Girl Class that was released this year. And, this year we released a single called ‘Went On T’.” As for upcoming projects, Eli mentioned that fans should look out for more music in the fall of this year and early next year [2025].
Eli elaborated on how the duo’s sound is shaped by a variety of musical influences.“We are influenced by The Velvet Underground, Mitski, St. Vincent, The Strokes, and a lot of guitar-based Indie-Rock that has goofiness and an edge to it.”
Their Songwriting Process and The Art of Naming Songs
Like many bands, this duo embraces a collaborative songwriting process. Eli brings a sense of optimism and playfulness to their craft, making the collaboration a gratifying experience. “We write together. Usually what happens is that one of us will have a melody idea, a snippet of lyrics, or some chords, like one piece of a song. Then we will bring it together and try different things and bounce back and forth. Afterward, we co-write lyrics and edit it together,”
Eli continued, “All of our songs have a deep, personal, and raw heart to them. The core of it is always meaningful to our experiences. But part of the Um, Jennifer? thing is that we take something raw and bring light to it. We take something serious and let it not be that serious. In my mind, I connect ‘Went On T’ and ‘Girl Class’ where ‘Girl Class’ is something Fig brought up to me and something we developed together.” Eli also mentions that ‘Girl Class’ is about a transfem experience while ‘Went On T’ is about a transmasc experience.
Fig elaborated, “There is seriousness and reality to be found within a comedic context, and it's something I appreciate about [Um, Jennifer?].” However, when it comes to naming their songs, they both mentioned that the titles are usually straightforward or based on the first lyric or words in the song.
The Creative Vision Behind the ‘Went Into on T’ Music Video
Their latest music video is inspired by Eli’s journey of embracing his true self, regardless of societal expectations “I had two things in mind for the music video. One was that a lot of it was inspired from my youth. I have skateboarded a lot since I was a little kid. It was kind of just things that connected me to how I present now and how I learned masculinity at a young age. Obviously growing up a little girl but feeling connected to all these masculine things. It was a way to connect to masculinity without having to acknowledge anything outwardly where I could be a girl that did all these boy things and not have to mention anything directly.”
He explained the idea further as he delved into the recurring theme of skateboarding and hanging out with masculine guys, in the music video. “Similarly the year before I realized I was trans, I was spending a lot of time in Tompkins Square Park skateboarding and hanging out with skater guys. It was a similar thing where I was not thinking constantly about gender or being trans. I was falling into this pattern of behavior that I had wanted to be in all of my life that felt natural to me. So, skateboarding was an archetypically masculine thing to me. I could be a punk and be whatever I wanted to be.”
Navigating Trends and the Rise of the Queer Music Community
Fig offered valuable insights into current music industry trends and how LGBTQIA artists can find community through one another. “I think we try to be tuned into what is going to sound good and what people are going to connect to melodically. We are writing things that are going to hit from a trans perspective and so it makes it different. Some would say it makes it punk.”
Eli responded, “Everyone is trying to get as many people as possible to connect to something which is a valuable pursuit; it is something that all art tries to do. It tries to reach someone in some way whether it is for something meaningful or completely vapid. We do do that but a lot of times what the industry says or what people think you're supposed to do is chasing after a trend. As opposed to listening to your instincts and recognizing what is going to connect people and make them feel something or bring as many people into a certain world you want them to be in.”
They also shared their thoughts on LGBTQIA individuals exclusively listening to queer artists, emphasizing that it’s not about ignorance, but about finding a sense of community among like-minded people. “A lot of it comes from the fact that it is hard to get outside of that. I think that the topics we are writing about doesn’t not appeal to people who don’t have this experience and so I totally get people only listening to queer artists because that helps you feel connected to a community.”
Eli also brought up the fact that “It is hard being in a world that is so cis and heterosexual. It is like you're in a world that is not quite for you or keeping you in mind. And so, sometimes having a queer artist at the forefront is a relief. You can feel yourself because it is not something that is directly oppositional to who you are.”
Manifesting the Duo’s Future (In Space, Fortnight, and Year 4000?)
For the foreseeable future, Eli and Fig just want to make something good. They don’t know what genre it will fall under or what it will sound like. It’s going to be good, like really good they both said. Fig mentions, “You’re going to be like oh, this is tickling my brain in a good way. Let’s make that. Let’s make the brain tickle me.”
The duo is open to any venue option, whether it's a performance in space or within a video game. “Give it all to me babe. Give me the journey. I never want to stop doing intimate shows though. The most fun I’ve had at shows is when it was only us two playing for 30-40 people and goofing around. I love the energy of a larger crowd though. I want to play in space. I want to play in Fortnight. I want them to give us a Travis Scott hologram in the game. I have never played Fortnight in my life by the way.”
Eli added, “I want every single one of those things [too]. I want to do the biggest show in the world. And, I want to play a club show and like to announce it at night at random always no matter how big we get. I want to go far and wide for sure.”
What’s coming soon for Um, Jennifer?
This Friday, August 16, 2024, the duo will be playing at Bowery Ballroom in New York. However, looking forward into the future Eli and Fig mentioned that they are having a baby. Not a physical baby but Fig stated that, “It’s a time capsule of what they’ve made and written over the course of the first two years of Um, Jennifer?” Eli elaborated, “It’s going to feel grounding to have it out.”
As new and old fans eagerly anticipate more music, Eli and Fig are busy brainstorming ideas and tuning into their fans’ feedback. On Friday (8/16), they’ll be supporting Pan Arcadia at Bowery Ballroom, tickets are available here.