Openly gay singer Joel Evan is literally a changed man—up until recently, he was Jet Kanashi, with 'Jet' representing the initials of his real name and 'Kanashi' being the Japanese word for sorrow. Evan adopted the name because of depression that resulted from his childhood but, after having a sunnier perspective, the Chicagoland native took back his real name, and is taking back his life.
Windy City Times: You're literally a new person. How were you before and what led you to change your way of thinking as well as your name?
Joel Evan: I was just going through the motions of life. I wasn't happy at all; I was downtrodden. And the change came when I decided to pick up books and just start reading about how people change their lives. You don't always have to feel bad. You have the power to change things [ about yourself ] . I don't have to [ necessarily ] feel bad because I'm in a crappy situation.
WCT: Now, were these self-help books and items like The Secret?
JE: It was mostly books like The Secret. I read The Law of Attraction, and I've really come to enjoy books by [ writers ] such as Deepak Chopra. [ Editor's note: Chopra is thanked in the liner notes of Evan's newest CD, Embracing the Light ... and then some. ]
WCT: You grew up in Illinois, correct?
JE: Yes. I grew up in Lake Forest.
WCT: Did you say before that your father was responsible for a lot of the sadness you were feeling?
JE: 'Responsible' is a little strong. I just don't think he was a happy person, and his stress and anxiety was brought onto our family, and we reacted accordingly.
WCT: Have you reached out to him since your change?
JE: I actually reached out to him about a year age, and things [ have improved ] . He tells me every so often that he's happy that I'm here. I'm not blocking him off as much. [ Laughs ]
WCT: When you were in your period of melancholy, you recorded a CD, Enjoy the Sadness. Now, you have a new, more positive CD out.
JE: Yes. It's called Embracing the Light ... and then some, and I got the idea for the name from a Japanese pop song. The songs themselves span the spectrum, from a little melancholy to a reflective point to being blissful.
WCT: What did your friends think of the changes you've gone through?
JE: So far, I think that they've been OK with it. They think that [ the most recent change ] is a great idea.
WCT: When you perform, do you still sing songs from the previous CD, or is there such a sad connection that you don't touch them at all?
JE: I still do it, and probably will do so for the next few months, only because [ fans ] are familiar with those songs. However, I'd like to terminate [ all ties to the past ] soon; the old Web site will be cut off in October.
WCT: It's great that you have this brighter perspective. Would a relationship have anything to do with this?
JE: I wish I could say 'yes,' but that's not the case. [ Laughs ] I'm still by myself, but some of the songs do explore the possibility of wanting a relationship. I do want to be in love—maybe that's wishful thinking. [ Laughs ]
Read more about Joel Evan at www.JoelEvanMusic.com . Evan will perform at Swing State, 19041 W. Grand, Lake Villa, Thursday-Friday, Aug. 21-22 ( Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.; Aug. 22 at 11 p.m. ) . Call 847-219-3150.