“Do What You Want” is a boss lady track about carving your own path instead of doing what others expect of you. As a former investment banker who left Wall Street in pursuit of her passion, Janet felt this empowering message deeply as she wrote and produced the song. The song mixes powerful urban pop and R&B vibes, and puts her extensive classical training on display with some masterful piano shredding.

Janet Noh is a nationally awarded classical pianist and pop-R&B singer/songwriter/producer. She combines her eclectic influences – classical music’s timelessness, musical theater drama, and modern pop songwriting – to create her own unique sound and way of storytelling. 

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Janet Noh about the latest release, AI, choosing a favorite song of all time, and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

AI (aka Artificial Intelligence aka Chat GPT 4.0)… How is it changing the music world? What are your thoughts about this new trend?

I think AI is inevitably changing the industry. I heard Diplo say this recently too; but it’s like the equivalent of sampling back in the ’90s. It’s going to bleed on some legal boundaries, but it’s the new innovation in sound and we might as well find a way to embrace and harness it for artistic evolution. 

I actually just finished making a version of my new song “Do What You Want” using AI to create voices of some of my favorite celebrity artists to feature with me. So now I have a version of my song featuring like 7 different artists, haha. You can check it when it’s out on Youtube in a few days. I know there are programs out there that generate celebrity voices for you, but honestly the quality on there is really inconsistent. So my boyfriend and I came up with our own proprietary modeling to create these stems from scratch.  
Also, would you believe me if I told you I had ChatGPT write this response for me?

What is your favorite song of all time?

 “Happy Birthday.” It’s so joyful and it never gets old. 

I’m saying this because it’s really hard for me to choose an actual favorite song. 

What about “Do What You Want” makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?

 I think we spent like a day in the studio making the majority of this track. But I spent almost a year finishing it. The challenges were balancing the 5629348 layers of vocals and pianos I had on this. I think what I’m most proud of is that everyone told me to cut out the piano on this song, but I stuck to my guns because, well, “do what you want.”

But there’s a deeper messaging behind this song that if you follow me on social media you’d probably already know about. Basically, I was accepted to Juilliard for classical piano performance, went to Yale instead, studied finance, became an investment banker on Wall Street, switched careers entirely to become a composer for musicals, made my acting debut on Broadway, and pivoted recently again to do pop music. I tend to follow my heart on most things, and while it creates a lot of anxiety and uncertainty every time I make the transition, ultimately I am the happiest when I do what I want.

What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?

I literally can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m terrified if the day ever comes that I can’t make music; I don’t know what I’d do with all my free time. 

I think the biggest driver behind my music is my unquenchable need to share my experiences, pains, lessons, joy with others. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people. 

I think what motivates me is that I keep getting humbled by this process of being an artist. I like a challenge. I like feeling like I’m growing. 

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why?

Well I’m a classical pianist, so the classical composers are my OG inspo. I’d love to pick Beethoven’s brain or sit next to Rachmaninoff while he was composing his 2nd Piano Concerto. 

Whitney Houston is probably my greatest inspiration as a singer. Her music helped me tap into my soul. 

What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?

My favorites keep changing depending on what season I’m in my life, lol. I know that’s an annoying answer but it’s the truth. 

And I think the last thing I listened to was Jessie J’s “I Miss Her”, I’m a sucker for power ballad vocals. 

Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

• IG at @janetnoh 

I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?

I’ll be releasing my “Love Me More” debut in late September – stay tuned!