About That Song: Conzemius
About That Song #89
In our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews artists about the songs that shaped them.
Hi! I’m Sarah Morris. I’m wildly in love with songs and the people who write them. There have been a few songs in my life that have been total gamechangers—songs that made me want to be a songwriter and songs I’ve written that made me feel like I am a songwriter. About That Song is a space where I can learn more about those pivotal songs in other writers’ lives.
In the 89th installment of this series, I was excited to chat with Jill Conzemius, an emerging Minneapolis singer-songwriter who recently released her first record! I asked her to tell me about the musical moments and songs that had an impact on her as an artist.
Conzemius. Photo credit: Elena Stanton.
Sarah: Conzemius! Hello Jill Conzemius! Once upon a time, we shared a beautiful hike in Northern Minnesota, complete with an equally beautiful conversation about music, motherhood, all the things. Since then, I’ve had the chance to cheer from afar as you started sharing new songs as part of a songwriting group we both belong to, and now, to cheer for your debut EP, Of the Water. Congratulations! It’s a gorgeous listen. This feels like a perfect opportunity to learn a bit more about you, about the songs that brought you to where you are today.
Jill: Sarah! Thank you for inviting me in, having me here and sharing your love of songs through conversation. You are an inspiration!
Sarah: Oh boy, YOU are kind to say that. I’m wondering, do you remember the song you heard that made you want to be a songwriter? Tell us about that song.
Jill: This is such a great question. It’s challenging to choose, but if I have to pick just one, Don McLean’s song “Vincent” had a big impact on me when I was younger. This song is a tribute to the art and life of Vincent Van Gogh. I remember initially liking it because it wasn’t a love song. I mean, how refreshing to find a song full of lyrical imagery about an artist singing TO another artist? Although the lyrics may lean a little sad, I think that empathy is a beautiful human thing to write and sing about. This song stretched my mind and really inspired my own expressive writing.
Sarah: AHH! I love this answer extra because that song is so special to me! I remember hearing it in middle school and it hit me with this combo of deep beauty and deep sadness but also perhaps hope—because the writer is holding Vincent in esteem and love. Also, It was maybe the first song I was ever able to play on piano and sing AT THE SAME TIME. I would love to hear you sing it sometime.
Once you began writing, was there a specific song that gave you that “a-HA! I AM a songwriter!” moment? Tell us about that song.
Jill: Yes! This moment goes back to high school when I had an assignment to write a short essay in response to a reading. I asked my teacher if I could submit a song instead. I remember being inspired by the characters and wanting to express them in that format. To my surprise, she said, “Only if you perform it for the class.”
Sarah: Bold move for you, and genius move on your teacher’s side!
Jill: At home, I wrote the song using piano and my voice. I recorded the backing piano part, brought that recording to school, and I went ahead and sang along to the recording in class. That whole experience of dreaming up a song, working with a deadline and performing in front of my peers, was my “a-ha” moment. I realized I was not only capable of performing my own song in front of people, but that I also really liked sharing my writing in this way.
Sarah: That is some solid bravery on behalf of teenage Jill, way to go!
The title track to your EP, “Of the Water,” is a lush, layered stunner. In addition to the album version, you released a live recording from Bifrost Studio, introducing yourself with the compelling lyric “The stars tell me that I’m a Pisces, and I feel like a fish out of water.” What can you tell us about that song?
Jill: I wrote this while reflecting on my journey of embracing my deepest, truest self. “Of the Water” is full of metaphors and has a theme that explores two pieces. It explores the loss of a connection between two characteristically different people (symbolized by fire and water) and it also explores that very separation being the thing that leads to a homecoming. A separation not caused by choice, but by the very essence of who they are.
The fiery soul is vibrant and thrives in a world that is distant and grand (the sky, the stars). The water soul, in contrast, is introspective and at peace with the water, finding their sense of self in its movement and depth. The pain from the separation is acknowledged, but it is ultimately what allows each person to fully embrace their own nature, where their souls feel at home.
Verse 1 - “The stars tell me that I’m a Pisces, and I feel like a fish out of water. Put me back in the stars and rearrange me cause you’re not here with me anyway. Or surround me with water.”
Verse 2 - “...I think of you as the tide rushes in. Can you see it from the stars, is that where you are? You’re like a fire burning bright. And me, I’m down here with the water.”
The bridge is the moment of clarity. “It gets clearer the longer I’m in. I’m a friend, a lover, mother, daughter—of the water.”
Conzemius. Photo credit: Bump Opera.
Sarah: It’s a beautiful illustration of how we all contain that both/and, I think. To get a little more terrestrial, in “Library” you sing, “You met me at the library, you saw my name and you put your hands all over me.” I’m a big fan of my library, and also, a big fan of this sultry song of desire occurring at the most unexpected of places. Can you tell us about that song?
Jill: “Library” started from the prompt word “Aristotle” from our songwriting group. I remember at the time that I was surprisingly not feeling very philosophical. This song started with the thought: what if people were books? We all have our unique narratives, our chapters and stories. From there I expanded on the idea of being someone’s favorite book. I thought of that desire of having someone wanting to know me so intimately...every single part of me. The song became a lighthearted double entendre and can be interpreted in different ways depending on where the listener’s mind is at. The song is definitely a little cheeky but also actually ended up being a little metaphysical after all, if you know what I mean.
Sarah: I DO know what you mean. And let’s all be a little cheeky sometimes, shall we?
Jill: I’m also a big library fan and still daydream about some of the beautiful ancient libraries I’ve had the chance to visit in Italy. They are some of my favorite places I’ve been. And, while far less charming, I very much love my local county library too.
Sarah: The final song on the EP is “You,” a patient sonic exploration wrapped in a love song (or vice versa). It brings this collection of songs to a close in a way that feels warm, a little wild, and utterly lovely. Tell us about that song.
Jill: Thank you so much. This song began as a simple piano and vocal ballad. I was looking to take this song on a more cinematic ride, however. With the brilliant help of my producer, Ben Noble, it was transformed into an expansive soundscape. Working through the demo, I described to him a specific scene: a sunny autumn day in the park, filled with a hazy, almost floating feeling. Ben perfectly captured that aural picture.
“You” is about an overwhelmingly good kind of love. It's about the kind of love that is understood and settles in easily. This person is ultimately asking the other, “What if we did nothing but be with each other today?” This is followed by the contrasting, loaded thought of, “Oh, by the way....I could spend my life with you.” I wanted the core of the song to sit in this question and realization, which is said through the specific lyric, “Does that sound alright with you? I could spend my life with you—you—you.”
Sarah: Here’s to love in its grand scale and its small moments. PS: We’ve been having a run of those perfect autumn days in the Midwest, and I know exactly what you mean with “hazy, almost floating.” Do you have any upcoming Midwest shows where we might hear you sing that song—hopefully many of these songs?
Jill: Yes! First up, I’m excited to share that I’ll be joining Mother Coyote for a show on October 9 at the Aster Cafe. I’ll have my full band with me and we’re looking forward to it being a great night!
Sarah: WHOA! That’s a fantastic double bill. Mother Coyote is a dream!
Jill: I have a few other shows in the works and the best way to stay in the loop is to join my email newsletter at conzemiusmusic.com. My subscribers are always the very first ones to know about new shows and other fun happenings.
Sarah: Yes, email newsletters! They are the best way to stay connected. Jill, thank you so much for coming to chat with me about your new EP and About That Song. Wishing you some more perfect autumn days and all manner of success with your new EP.
Be sure to check out Cozemius supporting Mother Coyote tomorrow, Oct. 9 2025, at Aster Cafe in Minneapolis! The music starts at 8pm. You can make a table reservation and pay the cover in advance for this seated show.
Listen to “Of the Water”
Of The Water EP Credits
Mixing/Production: Ben Noble
Drums: Reese Kling
Mastering: Darren Varmaas
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Morris. Photo credit: Tom Smouse.
Sarah Morris is a superfan of songs and the people who write them, and a believer that certain songs can change your life. A singer-songwriter / mama / bread maker / coffee drinker who recently released her fifth album of original material, she’s been known to joyfully sing with people in her Big Green Bathroom.
