JESSIA
With a knack for writing songs most intimate experiences and making them universally relatable, it's no wonder Canadian singer/songwriter JESSIA is bravado upwardly on TikTok.
If she could draw her music, JESSIA says it would be if "Hayley Williams met Julia Michaels" and had a baby, and she'southward not incorrect. The Vancouver-based vocalizer fits comfortably with her idols, similar Williams and Michaels, due to their ability to craft songs that are deeply personal yet undeniably relatable. Although it feels similar her acceleration has happened swiftly, being a songwriter and a singer has been JESSIA's dream for her entire life. Now, after accumulating over ane 1000000 views in 1 day, a record bargain ready by powerhouse Ryan Tedder,andan upcoming debut album on the horizon, it looks like JESSIA is well-nigh to practise the ane thing she's been dreaming of since she was 2.
1883 spoke with the ascension singer/songwriter most her musical beginnings, how she feels near the response to "I'm not Pretty," and why she tin't moving picture herself grouped in with the likes of Drake and Tate McRae.
At what point did you make up one's mind to pursue music as a career?
I grew up in a very musical family unit. I was always singing, my mom was a music instructor going up, and she taught me how to play guitar. I idea I wanted to go into musical theatre throughout loftier schoolhouse until someone told me no, you're only a vocalizer! I was biting at start but and then I realized how right they were. At the historic period of 17, I dove deep into music every bit a career. I've been writing since I was eleven so it's ever been a part of me, I simply didn't realize how ready I was for information technology until a scrap later.
Was songwriting something that came naturally to you or was it something you worked at?
I didn't identify as a songwriter until a year agone even though I accept been writing since I was 11! I just thought of information technology every bit my type of therapy; I causeless anybody wrote down their feelings and would spend hours in their bedroom thinking about their life and how they can put it to a tune! I was writing for EDM producers and I nonetheless wasn't identifying as a songwriter. It just didn't click for me. When I say I'm a songwriter at present, it feels like I'm talking virtually another person. It'south crazy.
I bet at that place'southward a bit of impostor syndrome there, too.
Oh absolutely. Since this has been my dream since I was a little girl, I kept putting information technology away because no one wants to get their hopes upward and take it not work out. I pushed the idea of being a vocalizer and a songwriter down and then far so I didn't have to get disappointed if it didn't piece of work out… but information technology did and I'm living my dream.
You recently signed with Republic Records and are working closely with Ryan Tedder! I saw he sent you a bottle of champagne to gloat. How does information technology feel to be joining the Republic family?
Oh my goodness, they're so amazing. Family is the perfect word to describe them. The fact that I'g even on a label with some of my biggest idols—like Conan Gray and Julia Michaels—is huge for me. It wasn't until I had my first writing session with Elijah and Ryan [Tedder] that it sunk in for me. He'south given me such solid, down-to-earth communication about the industry and how I should navigate it. Having him in my corner means a lot.
It's then funny y'all bring up Julia [Michaels] because 'Really Nice To Call back Well-nigh' reminded me of her writing. You both have this ability to brand an feel that sounds specific to yous but made universal through your songwriting. What was the inspiration behind that song?
Wow, thank you for saying that. That song came from a bitter identify in the middle of quarantine where anybody's beloved life was just… not hot. I felt like I needed to talk near something, which is how I approach all of my songwriting and themes. I expect around and ask is anyone else thinking or experiencing this? I'thou a very selfish songwriter in the sense that I write songs for me to become through something and if other people identify with them information technology's a carmine on meridian.
Speaking of people relating to your songs, 'I'm not Pretty' is i that everyone can relate to. I know it was inspired by a TikTok trend, but what mindset were you in when writing information technology?
Yeah, I'm a pretty positive, upbeat person, but I notice my music is on the bitter side and I don't evidence that often in my day-to-24-hour interval life. If you listen to my music you probably call back I'm a scary person! That song came from a very bitter place where I was sick of comparing myself and it wasn't until Elijah came on and produced this astonishing hook when I realized I needed to finish and release it. I spoke to my mother well-nigh eating disorders and being beautiful and that beingness the ring-aid for all of someone'south insecurities and she encouraged me to go along writing information technology.
I experience like TikTok is an interesting place because you can spend a lot of time comparing yourself to other people but at that place's this other side where people are supportive and vulnerable. How has it been to read the responses to the video and see duets and people using the audio?
I concur, and there are so many queens duetting and supporting the vocal that it's completely bravado my mind. I realized how big of an impact this song was making and seeing so many different bodies and genders and seeing the sass and the power of them all was empowering. I love staying upwardly and watching the duets and seeing their inventiveness. Reading their stories has been humbling and powerful for me.
You won the 2022 Canadian Songwriter Challenge — what was that experience similar? How does it feel to be joining other Canadian musicians that are on the rise like Tate McRae and Johnny Orlando?
It was so absurd. It was one of the first things I won equally an contained artist. We ended up making the song 6 hours before we submitted it and it was so fun. I loved getting introduced to other artists and getting mentored by big names in the community, it felt validating.
How does it feel to be repping Canada forth with the likes of Johnny Orlando, Tate McRae, Bieber, and Drake?
[Laughs] The fact that my name could even be associated with whatsoever of those artists is crazy to me! I love Tate, Johnny is the sweetest. I experience incredibly honoured…. I withal identify equally the fiddling bedchamber indie creative person that'southward begging people to listen to my songs! It'southward really sweet to be in such great company.
I know your debut EP is coming later this year — what can listeners await from information technology?
I'grand excited because we're taking a very organic approach to everything; we're running around each other'southward houses to detect different objects to blindside together to sound like drums, we're using pots & pans, and decks of cards and coins dropping on a table to make unique, authentic noises. We're running with it and the album will be shaped effectually that. Information technology'south similar an easter egg; in interviews, you can read me mentioning different objects we are using and when you're listening, yous tin take out certain parts and hear them separately.
It's a very old-school way of making a record, especially when it'due south been so difficult to exist creative when we are all stuck at domicile.
Aye, quarantine was awful for a lot of reasons, only information technology stripped us of our luxuries and fabricated u.s.a. focus on what is most of import in life. I don't think I would have come to such a strong realization of who I am as an artist and pushed myself equally much as I did without it. It was such a hard year, but then many tiny blessings were found in it.
Interview past Kelsey Barnes
"I'm not Pretty' by JESSIA is out now.
Source: https://1883magazine.com/jessia/
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