Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Janie Kogan

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

There are so many early memories connected to music because it was always a big part of my life growing up. One of my earliest memories is from when I was around three years old and taking ballet dance lessons with lovely Ms Tracy. I remember constantly being surrounded by beautiful music and loving the feeling of moving to it. Dancing gave me a sense of freedom and joy, and even at that young age, music had a way of making me feel connected, expressive, and completely in the moment.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I was constantly choreographing pretend lunchtime concerts with my friends, bringing together singing, dancing, and storytelling to create something entertaining and meaningful. Looking back, I was probably quite determined when it came to making sure my creative vision came to life!

At home, I would often stage my own performances inspired by songs I loved, acting out scenes, setting up props, dressing in costumes, and performing as if I were starring in a music video. My mum would film everything and we’d upload the videos to YouTube. I loved bringing songs to life through performance and storytelling, whether it was something fun and theatrical or more emotional and expressive.

Growing up, I also participated in many singing and dancing competitions, which further developed my love for performing and connecting with audiences. I loved every part of the process—from preparing costumes and rehearsing to stepping on stage and telling a story through music and performance.

While music had always been a huge part of my life, it was only a few years ago that I realised I wanted to pursue it professionally. That was the moment I decided to fully commit to developing my skills as an artist, songwriter, musician, and performer. Since then, I’ve been focused on learning, growing, and working towards building a long-term career doing what I love most.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

My most recent music project has been centred around one of my latest releases, Bulletproof, and the music video that followed. It is now available on EIMC for voting and I hope that everybody loves it. The song carries a message that can be interpreted in different ways depending on the listener’s experiences. For some people it may relate to a romantic relationship, while for others it could be about friendships, family dynamics, or any situation where someone is struggling to hold onto their sense of self and personal strength.

At its core, Bulletproof is about taking back your power and refusing to let someone else’s negativity, insecurities, or unkind intentions define who you are. It’s about recognising your own worth, finding resilience during difficult times, and understanding that you are capable of standing strong on your own. I think that’s something people of all ages can relate to. We all want meaningful relationships and strong connections, but sometimes we find ourselves drawn to people who aren’t necessarily good for us. Bulletproof explores that struggle while ultimately delivering a message of strength, self-belief, and empowerment.

Alongside Bulletproof, I’ve also been working on my next release, Don’t Shut Me Out. This song won Best Contemporary Composition at my school in 2025, and I felt strongly that it deserved to be shared with a wider audience. Right now, I’m in the process of preparing and rehearsing for filming of the music video. The dance rehearsals have been challenging at times, but I’m incredibly fortunate to be working with such talented dancers, an amazing choreographer, and a fantastic videographer.

One of my favourite parts of the creative process is exploring different styles of dance and performance. Both Bulletproof and Don’t Shut Me Out incorporate contemporary and lyrical dance, which allows me to express the emotion behind the music in a deeper and more visual way. I’m very excited for people to see what we’ve created and to continue sharing stories that inspire, empower, and connect with others.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

I would describe my sound as modern pop with a bright, expressive vocal style that balances strength and vulnerability. My voice has a youthful energy and clarity, but I also love bringing emotion and authenticity into every song I perform. I’m drawn to music that allows me to move between softer, more intimate moments and bigger, more powerful choruses, which gives my music both versatility and emotional depth. Combined with catchy melodies and polished production, I hope my sound feels uplifting, relatable, and uniquely my own.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

The piano is definitely one of the most important tools in my creative process because it’s often where a song begins. I love sitting at the piano and experimenting with melodies, chords, and ideas until something clicks. Beyond that, my Notes app and Voice Memos app are essential. Inspiration can strike at the most unexpected times, so I’m constantly jotting down lyric ideas or recording melodies on my phone before they disappear. Some of my favourite songs have started as a quick voice memo or a single line written in my notes, so those simple tools have become a huge part of my songwriting process.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

I really like Mia Wray, her voice is beautiful and just so real and sincere

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

My music is heavily influenced by real-life experiences, emotions, and the people I meet along the way. Writing allows me to turn those experiences into something meaningful and create music that feels honest and authentic. As both an artist and performer, I’ve learned that putting yourself out there means opening yourself up to both support and criticism. While that can be challenging at times, it has taught me resilience, self-belief, and the importance of staying true to who I am.

Many of my songs explore themes of confidence, perseverance, and overcoming adversity because they’re lessons I’ve had to learn myself. I want my music to remind people that they are stronger than they think and that they don’t have to let other people’s opinions define them. Whether it’s through songs like Tell Me, Beautiful, No Way Out, Kool Kidz, Bulletproof, or Don’t Shut Me Out, my goal is to create music that helps people feel understood, empowered, and inspired to embrace who they are.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

I hope listeners feel inspired whenever they hear my music. More than anything, I want my songs to create a moment where the noise of the world fades away and they can simply connect with the music, the story, and themselves. If my work can help someone feel understood, motivated, or develop a deeper love and appreciation for music, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do as an artist. I hope people can grow alongside my music and find something meaningful in it at different stages of their lives.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

The most important lesson music has taught me so far is to never give up on your dreams and to keep pursuing what you truly love, even when the journey isn’t always easy. Although I’ve only been releasing my own music for about a year, music has already taught me so much about perseverance, self-belief, and staying true to who I am.

There have been times in my life when I wasn’t at my best, and music was always something I could turn to. It had a way of lifting me up, helping me process my emotions, and reminding me why I love creating. Through music, I’ve grown not only as an artist but also as a person. It’s helped me discover what I want to share with the world—positivity, happiness, love, and connection. If my music can make even one person feel a little better or more inspired, then that’s incredibly meaningful to me.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

Performing at major international festivals like Coachella would be an absolute dream come true. I’ve always admired how these events bring together artists and music lovers from all over the world. Performing at iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York, Wembley Stadium in London, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and the Sydney Opera House (again but in a more grand room with even more audience) would be incredibly special. I’d also love the opportunity to perform at legendary festivals like Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, and Tomorrowland. The idea of sharing my music with thousands of people across the USA, Europe, Australia, and beyond, while creating unforgettable moments through music, is something I aspire to throughout my career.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

There are so many artists I admire and would love to collaborate with, but if I had to choose one, it would definitely be Lady Gaga. I feel a strong connection to her artistry because, like her, I’m passionate about combining singing, songwriting, piano, dance, and visual storytelling to create a complete performance experience.

What I admire most about Lady Gaga is her authenticity and fearlessness. She has always stayed true to herself, never afraid to take creative risks or express who she really is, and that’s something I aspire to do as an artist. She combines exceptional musicianship, songwriting, dance, fashion, and visual storytelling in a way that goes far beyond music and becomes a complete artistic experience.

Her ability to inspire people through both her music and her message is incredible, and that’s something I hope to achieve through my own work. Collaborating with someone who has had such a powerful impact on the music industry and on so many people’s lives would be an absolute dream.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

Insta: @janie.kogan https://www.instagram.com/janie.kogan?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Spotify: Janie Kogan https://open.spotify.com/artist/7sv4vszRIwwyehBVtGDHNo?si=ePS4_q-aR-mKeFJRxL3lWQ
Youtube: Janie Kogan

https://youtube.com/@janiekogan?si=XdOetJX6-CJb4y-O

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

My dream for the next chapter of my musical journey is to continue growing as an artist while building a global brand around my music and creativity. I want to keep writing, performing, dancing and playing instruments, but I also want to create something that extends beyond music alone. I’d love to build a successful business, inspire people around the world, and create a legacy that encourages others to dream big and pursue what they truly love. At the end of the day, I want to wake up every day doing what I’m passionate about while making a positive impact on the people who support my journey.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I hope listeners discover that I’m real and authentic. I don’t believe in pretending to be someone I’m not, and I want my music to reflect who I truly am. More than anything, I hope people feel inspired by my journey, my music, and my message, and realise that being yourself is one of the most powerful things you can do.

LOCO Official Music Video