In Conversation With - Jasmine Jethwa
Jasmine Jethwa has just released her debut EP ‘Hurricane’ - an emotional four track release that takes you on a unique journey blending alternative folk and R&B harmonics. She took a moment to talk to us about how her passion for music started with classical dancing and how the EP came together.
So, the EP is out there! How does it feel?
Yeah it feels amazing for my first project to be out in the world! I’ve looked forward to this for a while! These songs have been written over the past year or so and really mean a lot to me, and I hope people enjoy the songs and really connect with the music.
It is called ‘Hurricane’, is there any meaning behind the title?
This title track for me feels as though something is powerful is coming. A Hurricane can be incredibly destructive, and can change everything - but looking from a far is something quite amazing; which is something I wanted to portray sonically in this song. After writing this song, I felt like it was the right track to lead in - and the right title for the project.
Where was the EP recorded? Are there any behind the scenes stories from the recording process you are happy to share with us?
Apart from Hurricane, which was written and recorded with Aquilo, this EP was recorded with Couros, who I work and collaborate with a lot - and have done for a couple of years.
I remember Couros and I had to record final vocal for one of the tracks last year, and I had to bring my dog. He’s normally pretty chilled and quiet, but he was really loud during the day, so we weren’t able to get any vocals at all and it was quite funny, but kinda stressful as well aha.
What are the key themes and inspirations within the EP?
It’s processing different kinds of heartbreak, and I think each song captures the ranging emotions and feelings when you’re going through the chaos of that. Throughout the EP I think the sonics really mirror the mood and tone of each song, and the folk-driven guitar and vocal give it an organic feel. The emotions I was feeling during the process of writing these songs was definitely the inspiration for the project.
Your passion for music started with classical dance training, can you tell us a bit more about that?
I was always dancing since I can remember, and had my first ballet class when I was quite young. I loved dance, and the creative expression through such strong yet graceful movement, and being able to perform and show that. But I struggled with that being my only way of expression, and I didn’t feel I had enough of a personal connection to what I was dancing, and I wanted to have more freedom with that. I was always writing and singing along side dance, and then I just fell out of love with it and chose to completely commit to taking things forward with music. Once I decided to do that, things seemed to align themselves for me in an amazing way, a few things happened that I thought were knockbacks at the time, but I kind of understand it all now.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the EP, if so which one and why?
Faith in how you’re living,
With chaos turning into blame
Nothing left to ruin
Coz you put it all in my name
But I know
You’ll promise another lie
Thieve the stars of their light
Only so you can swim to the other side
I remember being so connected to what I was feeling when I wrote this, and feeling clear about what I wanted to say, this is the second verse from Empty Waters. This lyric is about someone being in denial about the way they are living, and turning the blame on you for things while they are doing that, and watching the beauty being stripped away in things that used to seem pure.
Now the EP is out there, what next?
I’m planning my next release for the end of May. It’ll be a progression from Hurricane EP, and I’m looking forward to releasing it!