Dora Jar is an outstanding alternative pop artist. This singer-songwriter is widely known for the imaginative creativity within her music. Her newest album released, No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire, picks through fan’s minds when it comes to the deeper meaning of music, allowing Dora Jar’s full artistry to be embraced. 

°1824, a network that offers publications, such as Thirteen Magazine, the opportunity to connect artists to fans with the overall mission for fans to express and promote their favorite musicians. During a Zoom call hosted by °1824, our very own Thirteen Magazine had the opportunity to listen in on Dora Jar  as she opened up about her most creative and descriptive ways in this new piece of music. As we’ve heard through fans and Dora Jar, herself, the album No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire is like music to the ears as eyes are to art. “I would like anyone who listens to feel courageous, and open, dancey, and the strange parts of them are the best parts”, Jar expressed. 

Thirteen Magazine was given the opportunity to ask Dora Jar a question directly during this press conference. On behalf of our staff, we asked: In announcing [your] album earlier this summer, you mentioned that the songwriting process began over two years ago when you were facing imposter syndrome and confronting your fears. Do you feel as though you have finally overcome those feelings and in what ways has this project allowed you to do so? 

Dora Jar answered, “I think there’s a lot of contradictions in being an artist where you want to share so much, then you’re afraid to be seen. And you feel like the only thing I can do is music and then sometimes I’ll feel very unsure of what it is I’m even saying. It’s hard to trust the mystery. I think I’m just getting more comfortable with being in the mystery and sharing from that place and not feeling the need to have it all make sense and put it on the platter for people to easily understand. My nature is a bit confusing and I feel confused a lot of the time. But I now feel braver to share from that place”.

 As a participant in this particular conversation with Dora Jar, as well as being a listener of her music, I’ve noticed the fearlessness within her own humanity. With her answer in mind, it is clear to see the pure self artistry she has. Dora Jar is an extravagant example of inspiration to be yourself, accept your unique qualities, and to trust the process of life or in her sense, creativity. 

A vast majority of the compliments and conversations made from fans came from No Way To Relax When You Are On Fire’s adorning cover. Dora Jar first answered a curiosity from a participating outlet about what the word “fire” means for the album, “I sometimes feel like I’m on fire and full of action and I just keep going and I can’t relax, lie right now, and sometimes that feels really good, and sometimes really crazy”.

 Jar gave insight into the creative intent of what the cover means as a whole. She first described the black smoke and the fire-shaped staircase as metaphors for her contradictions, “They are a feeling”. Jar continued, “I like colors and I love old movies that have both cartoon and live action, like Mary Poppins…and I like textures like paper and I like wearing paper.” Jar then went on about the textures she found important to incorporate into the visual, “I just tapped into basic textures…I like potato sacks and I like Fantasia 2000”. Another included comparison came from a book written by Julie Andrews titled “The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles”. This book holds a special place for Dora Jar as she opened up about what this science and fantasy themed book did for her. Jar furthered on about how she was touched by this book, “They travel to an alternate dimension and confront these beings. That really opened me up to science and how the imagination in science connects. I don’t really understand a lot about physics, but when I think about it, I feel like my imagination fills in the gaps and I can be more open to learning things like string theory. That book really changed my life.” 

Circling back to the meaning behind her album, Dora Jar was asked about advice she’d give to someone who connects to LP’s title. Jar explained, “With fire, kind of represents, you can sometimes feel anger. I feel like underneath anger there is some kind of universal sadness…the advice is let the feeling go through its natural course.” I loved how Dora Jar eloquently explained such a basic emotion as anger and uncovered the complex navigation of underlying roots to why people feel that emotion. 

Dora Jar is currently on her Behind The Curtain headlining Tour and can be seen live and on stage through October. “It’s all about just being in the moment and letting the audience lead us to new exciting places.” She shed light on a personal topic when asked about how her concerts are made accessible to disabled fans, for her sister has a disability that she is passionate about showing awareness for. She shouted out Disneyland for being great for her sister’s needs and an inspiration for her as she directs her own crowd of people and venue staff for her shows to make concerts accessible to all fans. “Just the other night in Chicago there was an adorable girl who was in a walker and she was right up front. Raising awareness helps the fans know…make sure everyone has that same value because we’re all in it together.”  

Getting to know Dora Jar through these wonderful topics was an amazing opportunity. Artistically and creatively, it is obvious that Dora Jar is a special artist for audiences to soak up and enjoy. Listening and learning about how much thought went into each detail of this album was truly inspiring for all of the outlets involved, and hopefully now to the world. I hope that audiences see the incredible impact that little sparks of inspiration have on someone, like Dora Jar, who used those pieces to assemble a powerful album.