Rocklin resident Jeanette Hawkins and her band Jette—comprised of Eric Stitt on drums, David Beach on lead guitar and keys, and Brian Keating on bass—perform all over the regional music scene with their funky fusion of rock, pop, reggae and blues. For Hawkins, who began writing lyrics and strumming a guitar as a preteen when her family moved across the world, it wasn’t until she decided to pursue her dream full-time, that it finally began to come true. “I guess you could say I’m one of those people who refuses to live a life that isn’t in direct alignment with my purpose,” says Hawkins. “Living an inspired life means everything to me. I came to this world to fulfill my mission, and I’m determined to do it.”

 

HLB: When did your music really take off? 

JW: A few years ago I decided that in order to live my dreams I was going to have to go all the way. It’s a really scary decision, but there’s magic that takes over once you declare to the universe what you want to do with your life. My career is beginning to take on bigger forms of my dream. This year alone, Jette has played at music venues I’ve always dreamed of playing at. Big things are happening and we’ve been enjoying the moment.  

HLB: Where does your songwriting come from? 

JH: I believe words hold power and what you speak about has a direct effect on what shows up in your daily life. My intentions are to create music that uplifts and inspires people, so I find a lot of inspiration in positivity and love. There’s nothing greater than the power of love, and I feel like a big part of my songwriting will forever be devoted to bringing more of that into this world.  

HLB: How did your time living abroad in Romania influence your music? 

JH: It was during that time when I developed my passion for helping others. My high school required 80 hours of community service each semester, and I chose to volunteer at the orphanage in Bucharest. Seeing what a difference we made in the lives of the orphans changed me forever. It made me see that even complete strangers can positively affect each other’s lives. My time there instilled in me a desire to change the world for the better. That’s why my music has common themes of universal love and is based on the idea that one person can make a difference.  

HLB: Do you have an album? 

JH: I’m in the process of recording my debut album titled Anything Is Possible. The name comes from Jette’s motto: Anything is possible if you believe. It’s a powerful idea and one I’ve embraced these last few years. We’ll have around 10 tracks on the album, all of which I’ve written myself. 

HLB: What’s next? 

JH: We’ll be playing next year on the summer festival circuit in California. There’s a really beautiful vibe going on in the consciousness of these festivals—the mutual respect, camaraderie and feelings of unity and love are what keep me coming back each year.