Jenna Lotti Casts Aside Perfectionism in Powerful New Single "Death of a Perfectionist"
JENNA LOTTI IS SHEDDING THE SKIN OF PERFECTIONISM with her latest single, "Death of a Perfectionist." This introspective track explores the pressure to meet unrealistic expectations, a theme inspired by Lotti's own struggles with juggling motherhood and her music career.
Lotti's path to music began with teenage poetry, evolving into the poignant lyrics that define her sound today. Her journey has taken her from the streets of Boston to the collaborative energy of LA, where appearances on shows like Songland have pushed her boundaries and honed her craft. Now, with the weight of perfection lifted, Lotti looks forward to a creatively liberating future.
LUNA: Congrats on your upcoming single! "Death of a Perfectionist" tackles the pressure to meet unrealistic expectations. What specific experiences inspired you to write this song?
LOTTI: Thank you! Oh man, everything lol. It started when I was a kid but most recently motherhood. I was trying to juggle being a mom & my career seamlessly. But I soon realized that it was impossible. The expectations I have for myself are always way too high and my need to be good at everything has become exhausting. I had the title “Perfectionist” under my song ideas in my phone for a long time. It felt like it was the right time to dive into that idea.
LUNA: The song talks about "embracing the mess." Is this a newfound approach to life for you, or something you've been working towards for a while?
LOTTI: This is a new approach for sure. I would say in the last few months. There was a moment where I was planning a night out and I had created 10 unnecessary steps to make it “perfect”. I stopped and thought, why am I doing this to myself? The pressure finally felt ridiculous to me. Letting go of the expectations is something I’m working on and is still very uncomfortable.
LUNA: You started writing poetry as a teenager to express your emotions. How did those early works evolve into the music you create today?
LOTTI: When I was writing as a teenager, I don’t think I was able to fully understand my emotions yet. As time went on and I had more life experience, I was able to process my emotions and turn them into songs. I learned how to write a song by listening to my favorite artists. I would obsessively listen to them. After writing a few of my own that I really liked, I decided to record them and that led to my first album. From there, I kept working hard & learning. I started to co-write which opened up an entire new world for me. After years of releasing music & touring, I eventually moved to LA from Boston and here we are!
LUNA: Living on the East Coast and then moving to LA are very different experiences. How has living in LA impacted your music and career?
LOTTI: Living in LA has brought so much excitement to my career. There is just something in the air. I’ve had the honor of collaborating with some of the best writers/musicians here. The opportunities are endless and it has unlocked a whole new world of inspiration for me.
LUNA: Being featured on Songland Season 2 is a huge accomplishment! Did the show influence your songwriting in any way?
LOTTI: Thank you! It was truly an amazing experience. The song I wrote & performed on the show was a song I wrote a few years prior. I felt like my songwriting had progressed so much since that song. Honestly, I was a little embarrassed to sing that one on the show, especially in front of some of the best songwriters in the world. I just felt like it wasn’t my best work. But I learned a lot from that experience and now I definitely go over my writing with a fine tooth comb before releasing it.
LUNA: With the "perfectionist" weight lifted, what are you most excited about creatively moving forward?
LOTTI: I’m excited to see what happens! I hope it unlocks some doors when it comes to creativity. I feel really positive about the future and I think that is going to impact my music.
LUNA: What intentions do you have for the Spring season?
LOTTI: Letting go, release negative thoughts, be present and have fun.
