Meet Jill Derusch

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jill Derusch. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jill below.

Jill, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I used to be really self conscious if I was the only one in the room who looked like me. At first it can kind of feel like you’re missing something and you don’t know what it is. Over time I realized that usually the things that make us look different can be really good for us and set us apart. So, even if I stick out I feel like I just gives people all the more reason to look at me and listen to what I have to say. I will also say the more comfortable you are with yourself , the more you’re gonna trust yourself to be effective/successful. When I was worried about not being enough like everyone else, it did absolutely nothing for my work and just had me stuck in a box in my own head. I’ve learned that regardless of if you’re different from everyone it doesn’t make your work any less important.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the songwriter and vocalist for the band Comfort the Dead as well as an actress.

Comfort the Dead is a punk/metal fusion band (with a lot of emo inspired sounds) that I came up with the idea for a few years ago and eventually got the band together.
I’ve been writing music ever since I was a really little kid and I’ve always loved punk and metal so as I got older I really wanted to transition into this genre. I write music about all of the emotions and thoughts we want to hide about ourselves. All the anger , sadness, jealousy, worries. All of it. Nothing is taboo here. Honestly, when you start hiding all of these parts of yourself , you’re eventually killing yourself off in a way. Not really showing up as who you really are. We have so many filters on us every day to come off as “normal” but I think we all can probably relate to stuff we don’t really talk about.
I don’t want to kill any parts of my self off and I want to lay it all out there in my lyrics. A lot of people need that in music. Hence the name “Comfort the Dead”.

As I mentioned I am also an actress. I’ve done quite a bit of theatre, most recently playing, Chloe, in “Lips Together Teeth Apart”. And I have two horror movies coming up that I’m really excited about. “Once Upon a Killing Time” by Michael Moutsatsos and , “Stage Craft”, by Alex Bram. I love getting to play characters that have creepy and twisted sides to them. It’s really different to be able to explore that type of mindset so I’m grateful to be in these projects.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1.) Remembering why you wanted to do this in the first place
It’s really easy to get lost in situations that’s aren’t really important and dont serve you. And it’s even easier to let other people’s opinions get to you too much. If it’s not making you happy and it’s taking away from the projects and skills you want to work on, don’t put too much energy into it. Remember why you wanted to do this in the first place. I could also say don’t lose yourself.

2.) Get out of that comfort zone! You want to audition for the lead? You want to go talk to that producer? You’re nervous to show people you’re music ? Do all of it. You won’t get anywhere in the same spot you’ve always been in because you’re too nervous to come out. I mean be safe of course , use caution when needed don’t get me wrong, but really, stop hiding or thinking you cant do things. Why can’t you? Why would you not be talented enough to be noticed?

3) Learning to communicate with people.
This is very important. The more well spoken you are the more you’re taken seriously. And the better you are at communication the more you’re gonna understand other people and if they’re on the same page as you. It can also give you the peace of mind of knowing what you’re walking into. Ask all the questions, get all the information, ask again if you need to.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes! We are always looking for session musicians or other artists that want to collaborate together musically! Some of the coolest music videos and songs have come from collaborations you wouldn’t expect. I’m open to working with other musicians for sure.

And of course, anything acting related as well!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@tay_roo_photography

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