Episode 27: Jenna McDougall – Hevenshe, Tonight Alive

Hevenshe. Credit: Supplied

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For as long as I’ve loved music, I’ve loved that sort of music that connects with people for so many different reasons. When I was in my teenage years, I discovered a Sydney band called Tonight Alive, who managed to find themselves as one of the more prominent purveyors of pop-punk out of Australia.

Across four amazing albums over the span of seven years, Tonight Alive found themselves dishing out songs that were heavy yet sweet, and fun yet serious, offering fans the world over (including a strong following in the famously hard-to-crack American market) something special with which they could resonate.

Following the release of 2018’s Underworld, Tonight Alive decided to pull back a little bit, announcing something of a hiatus while they worked on their mental and physical health. After a brief return in 2020, the world was treated to one of its members doing something new and unique.

Yes, in 2022, vocalist Jenna McDougall announced the launch of her Hevenshe project. Not quite a side project and more of a new way in which she could focus her musical efforts, Hevenshe has since boasted a full EP by way of 2023’s Wild Wild Heart, and now – amidst new shows from Tonight Alive – has seen a new single by way of ‘Essential’.

As you may have guessed, the wonderful Jenna McDougall is my guest this week, and she was an absolute dream to speak to.

So, I strongly urge you to check out Hevenshe’s ‘Essential’, bump some classic Tonight Alive, and once you’re done giving that a spin, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Jenna McDougall’s Trusty Chords

Jenna’s One Influential Artist

1. Missy Higgins (With Alanis Morissette as an honourable mention!)

Jenna’s Three Impactful Albums

1. Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill (1995)

2. Rage Against The Machine – Rage Against The Machine (1992)

3. The War On Drugs – A Deeper Understanding (2017)

Jenna’s Five Trusty Songs

1. Des'ree – 'You Gotta Be' (1994)

2. Judy Kuhn – 'Colors Of The Wind' (1995)

3. Train – 'Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)' (2001)

4. The Verve – 'Bittersweet Symphony' (1997)

5. Queen – 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (1975)