Photo credit: Tom Row
The chief lesson I have learned in a long life is that the only way you can make a man trustworthy is to trust him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him. - Henry L. Stimson
Not many will disagree that trust is a key element to succeeding. No matter what you do in life, trust is an asset. Think of the times, that you had to keep your eye on a person, because your concern for your health and well-being. It is an uncomfortably feeling. Especially if you are concerned about someone that is close to you. Like a family member, or best friend. Confidentiality is extremely important among business relationships. If you are an artist, or in a band, trust among those that you work with is essential. Bands will vanish, due to distrust. Those that represent artists, such as Booking, Publicists, Managers and Labels must establish trust as the between their clients and the agency. Otherwise, how will an effective relationship be built upon mistrust? The foundation of all successful relationships is trust. There is way too much at stake for a break-down of trust and confidentiality.
There are many arguments that can be made, that trust and confidentiality is a two-way street. There is no disputing this. In my opinion, it is the most important elements of a partnership or business relationship of any-kind. I have talked to too many artists, that felt compelled to end contracts due to trust. That is why contracts should be written with a clause for artists to terminate agents, or organizations where confidentiality and trust are concerns. Recall, this applies to all parties involved. Legally binding contracts are created around “trust” or a lack thereof. There are other key factors that go into creating a contract. However, protection of one’s assets is extremely important, and cannot be left to a handshake or verbal agreement. The purpose behind this topic, is to stress the importance of trust and confidentiality. Despite having a prior or existing relationship with an agency, or band members. Everyone wants to feel safe, and secure with those they interact with daily. Even more when it comes to your career.
A band member that we all have come to admire is Jen Majura. An artist, that doesn’t need an introduction. Over the decades of interviews, and documentaries is there anything left to be said about how Jen Majura became an instrumental part of the bands like Evanescence? We have some insight into the last days of Jen Majura with her previous band. However, we are focused on her accomplishments and what he continues to contribute to the music industry.
ABOUT JENNIFER MAJURA
Jennifer Majura Indrasen (born 16 June 1983) is a German musician. She was the rhythm guitarist for American rock band Evanescence from 2015 to 2022.
Biography
Majura was born in Stuttgart, West Germany, and started in music at the age of six. Her father is Thai and was one of the founding members of the Reutlingen-based German NDW band KIZ as bassist, her mother is German. Majura has played professionally since 2000. She featured on Rage's "Lord of the Flies" track and toured with the band from 2006 to 2009 on several international tours.
Majura with Equilibrium at Wacken Open Air in 2014.
She was the founder of AC/DC all girl cover band Black Thunder Ladies (lead guitarist and backings). She had since played in bands such as Knorkator (guitarist, 2012–2014), Equilibrium (bassist, 2014) and several other international touring bands and projects. In August 2015, Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee announced that Majura would replace guitarist Terry Balsamo in the band. In November 2015, Equilibrium announced that Majura had parted ways with the band to join Evanescence. Majura performed all over the world with Lee’s band up until in May 2022, Evanescence parted ways with Majura.
Guitar Thrills Broadcast
Since then Majura worked with Grammy award winning drummer Mike Mangini (ex-Dream Theater) and sang on his solo album, released solo singles, joined an European modern metal band named How We End and toured the states with a solo program together with prog guitarist Travis Larson.
In 2023, Majura became a member of the metal combo How We End, featuring musicians from Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Spain. The group is composed of vocalists Diva Satanica (ex-Nervosa) and Jake E (Cyhra, ex-Amaranthe), while Majura's fellow guitarist in the group is Tom Naumann (Primal Fear), while Mitch Kunz (bass/synths) and Adde Larsson (drums) provide the "heavy groove." Their debut single, "My Fighting Heart", was released in 2023.
INTERVIEW WITH JEN MAJURA AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: It is exciting to have the opportunity to interview “Jen Majura”. I enjoy your aggressive sound. I am a fan of rock, and some heavy metal. You have surpassed the sounds of many artists that have come before you.
Guitar Thrills: The topic of trust and confidentiality has become unconditional. This is a requirement from the band/artist and the agencies that represent them. Without focusing on experiences, we want to shed light on the demand for both. No band of relationship can succeed without both traits. There may be small successes here and there, but without each person buying into trust and confidentiality, there can’t be long-term successes. What are your thoughts regarding this?
Jen Majura: "Trust“ is replacing doubts and concerns with the ability to follow the belief in the good your heart wants to be true for you. -J. Majura
During my career as a musician I have worked with all kinds of different artists and bands of all levels: the mid-sized band that tours in a van, the small band that packs all their gear in to their own cars, the band that does flight shows and evaluates how many flight cases to drop off at bulky luggage to not spend a fortune on baggage, and of course the rockstar big leagues, where you don’t even have to carry your own suitcase, the five-star tourbus drives you two blocks to have your tour manager check you in to your Four Seasons Junior Suite… Trust to a certain level can be a human reaction when you become comfortable enough with the situation you are put in. Blind trust could be specified as „wishful thinking“ or naivety in my opinion. If we all look around each other, no matter in what professional field, weather music, real estate, restaurant businesses - don’t we all have a certain amount of trust to the people that surround us? Some more than others, but for sure I trust the waitress not to poison me with the food she serves me or the bus driver not to crash the tour bus while you sleep. So of course you trust the people you work with - some more, some less.
Guitar Thrills: When you were invited to join Evanescence, was there any hesitation? Did you believe that trust between band mates would ever become an issue?
Jen Majura: When I received that email from the management I had no hesitation whatsoever and immediately replied. That clearly was a „once in a life time“ offer that you don’t hesitate to accept, not knowing what adventures are lying ahead of you.
Guitar Thrills: Do you believe that a successful relationship can be built upon specific character traits?
Jen Majura: Any successful relationship stems from a positive healthy self-awareness that will lead to respectful behavior, trust and relying on each other. In my books it’s a natural reaction to someone’s actions, not to mention there are certain negative characteristics that won’t benefit any kind of relationship whether if it’s work or personal. Real support and trust can be seen when one struggles with hard times or unexpected outside impacts - that shows how much belief in trust there really is due to judgment of how to handle certain situations.
Guitar Thrills: Regardless of age, culture, nationality, and experience, trust and confidentiality remains to be the most important aspect of a business relationship. After all, you want to question the motives of someone that is representing you. Is this something that you discussed with the agencies that represent you? If so, what was the outcome?
Jen Majura: There are no agencies that represent me at this time. However it is a topic that should be addressed in the future.
Guitar Thrills: I know that they’re other characteristics and traits that define those that you work with. Example, patience and courage. These are things that can be developed over time. They also are essential in communication between bandmates and professionals that you work with daily. Are there other elements that you looked for, from those that you worked with?
Jen Majura: Showing up on time, keeping your word and following up on your promises - simply: reliability. During my entire career, I have not cancelled a single show weather I was coming down with the flu, high temperature, my car broke down or I had delayed flights. Always come prepared as expected, know more of the set list than is expected of you, in short: be prepared.
I have a hard time working with people that throw rocks in the way, such as making not smart business or marketing decisions as I always try to think one step ahead and don’t like to be just another sheep in the herd.
Guitar Thrills: I believe you have set yourself up for long-term success early on. Before Evanescence became popular. You always had the talent, and you also had idea of what you need on the business end as well. What was the deciding factor for joining the band?
Jen Majura: Like I said earlier it was a no-brainer decision for me. The band has been a world wide touring, greatly successful band represented by a strong woman, just like anybody I’d heard of them since the early 2000s. No sane person would turn down an offer like that and I am grateful for these wonderful seven years.
Guitar Thrills: You have a huge fan base that supports you no matter what band you perform with. How does that make you feel?
Jen Majura: I feel extremely thankful to have reached so many hearts all over the world. The people that follow and support me on socials understand my quirky character and my love for art, not only music. I love to paint, knit, cook, travel. I love video editing and spreading a smile to the world. Everyone now days struggles with their own issues so it’s a good feeling to actually have a voice that can yank them out of the dark for a little while. It might not be a fandom of millions, but the ones who are in, are the real deal. I am extremely grateful for the lovely people who support me.
Guitar Thrills: If you could name one specific trait, that has made you successful what would it be?
Jen Majura: perseverance and a positive mindset.
Guitar Thrills: I must get your input on bands you have played with, in comparison with who you perform with now. What are your thoughts regarding the competition? Is there any comparison to the rock bands that can compared to what you have accomplished?
Jen Majura: Each band is different in the way they work, the audience they attract, their business, so it’s really hard to compare them. Usually your responsibilities and team grow with the success you have as a band and as a hired gun or member of the band you adapt to that. I don’t see being a musician as a „competition“ at all. For example there are more and more female electric guitar players now and we all are aware of each other, respect each other and even are friends and support each other. Ambition and a healthy mind set to do better is what I strive for and the world needs more supportive unification instead of spreading negative competition in my opinion.
Guitar Thrills: What is your guitar of choice, and why?
Jen Majura: Oooh… that is a tough question. Over the years I have collected so many guitars and each one of them holds certain memories of times, bands or tours.
I’ve been an Ibanez endorsee for ever and definitely one of my all time favorites is my BFP-JEM. This one is so precious to me that I hardly do flight shows with her anymore lol.
The body is basswood, the maple neck is a typical JEM neck and the PUs are EVOs. Additionally, I installed the Mad Hatter Guitar Product 500k system to the volume knob / Pick Ups that turns my 5 way switch in to a 10 way switch.
Guitar Thrills: It is common to use distortion pedals, etc. How much of it is used to develop the sound that you have?
Jen Majura: When I started working with Evanescence I realized that for diverse sound options I’d need more pedals than I used, therefor the work relationship with Line6 began. I use their HELIX multi effect modeler pedals (floor unit, rack unit, HX Effects and HX Stomp) for all live and recording work. I have never been great at doing „the pedal dance“ and I am very happy with the options the HELIX products offer. Especially the simple pitch function saved me from taking too many different tuned guitars on the road and it offers all kinds of distortion effects which you can add to your basic presets. If I had to mention one specific pedal it would always be the classic Tube Screamer.
Guitar Thrills: We kind of plans do you have moving forward? Do you have any projects with and the other members in the works?
Jen Majura: There is always something in the works. We will keep you in the loop.
Guitar Thrills: We will continue to keep our eyes and ears open for anything that you are involved in. We are always willing to promote it through Guitar Thrills Magazine. Trust me it was a huge pleasure to interview you. We would like to set up another opportunity for the future. Does that work for you?
Jen Majura: Thanks so much for having me. Of course, let’s talk any time.
Guitar Thrills: Nice. Thank you again for your time.
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