Senior at Apopka High School Jaynee Phelps is known for her alternative fashion style and the rock band she performs with, Driven. The Blue and White decided to interview her to learn more about APK’s very own rock star student.
How do you manage having a school/social life and having a successful band?
“It gets tough sometimes, especially when I have two gigs over the weekend and I have homework! I usually plan out and organize my homework over the week, and I get very frustrated when my system gets thrown out of whack!!! When it comes to social life, I tend to just hang out with people after school when I can, and if I have a free weekend I might make plans. I don’t have many free weekends, however, so there are times I have to choose between hanging out and down time… and usually the down time wins.”
What do you do in your free time?
“I’m generally either online shopping or playing Doom Eternal on Xbox. If I’m not doing that, I’m sleeping, spending time with family, or playing music. Free time is limited these days, sadly.”
How would you describe your fashion style?
“My style is always changing, but it’s always in the realm of what I’d call alternative. Right now I’ve been leaning more boho/witchy goth, which uses a lot of tank tops and shorts with a cute cover-up over top! I also love romantic goth, mall goth, and other various alternative-goth styles.”
What type of music does your band perform, and do you have a favorite song to play?
“We play a lot of classic rock and modern rock as well! We also have some songs we wrote that we’ve been playing a lot. My favorite song right now is our rock interpretation of ‘Bad Romance’ by Lady Gaga!”
How long have you been doing music and how did you get started?
“I’ve been singing since before I can remember, and I started taking guitar lessons when I was 8 years old, though I don’t take the lessons anymore. It’s been almost 10 years since I’ve started playing! I also am self taught on piano and the ukulele. I’ve always loved music and I don’t think I’ll ever stop being that way. I’ve been with my band, Driven, for almost a year now, and it’s been the happiest time of my life. Being on stage and performing music for people is at my core, and I hope to never stop!”
