THEAUSSIEWORD.COM special interview with Jasmin Bade.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
I first heard Kasey Chambers’ album ‘The Captain’ when I was six years old at Christmas and fell in love with it! So I started singing then and learning guitar within the year.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
I like to make people feel less alone, as music has always done that for me. When I see someone connecting with my songs, I know I’m doing something right. A lot of the time though it’s just a way for me to get out my emotions!
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?
I just want to be able to play my music around the world and have people resonate with it on such a level that they want to sing along. But a Grammy would be great?
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
That’s a little difficult of a question with the current pandemic, but I’m hoping to come back to Australia at the end of the year and play some shows for sure!
Tell us a bit about your latest release X’s and Y’s and how would you best describe your music?
I think almost everyone has someone in their life they don’t speak to or see anymore, often an ex, that in hindsight seems like a ‘why’; like ‘why did I date you in the first place?’. And there are so many sad country songs about exes, breakups and being single, and we wanted something fun and even funny! Because we’re all on this rollercoaster ride, finding people that don’t fit like we thought they would, and sometimes all you can do is laugh about it!
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
It happens differently every time, but in Nashville mostly I write with other people as it’s a big co-writing town. Often it’s the need to express emotions that are hard to say, or someone comes in with maybe one great line and we just work from there. But there’s not been two songs I’ve written that have been done the exact same way!
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
I love putting double meanings in my lyrics, but I wouldn’t say they’re hidden. Maybe only certain people might understand some of them but that’s up to the listener to decide.
Success, what is the secret to it?
This question made me laugh, because what defines success? I’ve had success in many areas of life but I’ve also not had success in a multitude of others. So all I can say is, you only fail when you stop trying.
You moved to Nashville during the pandemic. How was the transition moving to another country during those times?
I didn’t actually move to Nashville during the pandemic. I moved to Nashville in 2018. I left all my things here in Nashville in 2020 and packed a suitcase and went back to Australia for what we thought would be a couple of months and ended up being 6, and then returned to Nashville in August 2020. It was still a transition doing this with the different protocols in the different countries during the pandemic; I definitely faced a bit of culture shock when people in the States were out doing things that folks back home weren’t. I had to travel 41 hours to get back to Nashville but it’s where my life is and it’s only so long you can stay away from your life and your work.
How is the Nashville music scene compared to the Australian one?
Nashville is obviously a lot more country music based, but in the last decade or so has formed a huge pop scene and indie music scene. I hadn’t once co-written before I moved here even though I studied music in uni; but all anyone ever does in Nashville is co-write; because basically every hit song is written by more than one person. There’s definitely an inclination to work until you drop here, with comparison playing a large role in that. And in the last few months I’ve really tried to learn to go at my own pace and focus on what’s important to me, as we’re all on our own journeys.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
It was really exciting for me to get a feature in American Songwriter on ‘X’s and Y’s’ and for it to get added to iHeartCountry within a few hours of being released; it got added with a Kane Brown song and a Michael Ray song! To be on lists with major label artists who’ve been at this for so long is just something I really dreamed of and as an independent artist, you never really know if it’ll happen.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
I’m the biggest Taylor Swift fan and I really love that she’s found a way to maintain artistic integrity while still remaining one of the biggest stars in the world. I’ll never know how someone so young could have written songs so well, like the entire ‘Speak Now’ album that she wrote on her own, but she’ll always be someone that inspires me.
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
There’s always something going on! I’m not exactly sure just yet but the writing and the music making quite literally never stops in this town.
The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself a few years?
Hopefully touring with my own songs and playing to people who love them and know them.
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
I love meeting people who deeply connect with my songs; often who just stumbled upon my show or my social media or spotify. When people let you know how your song has affected them or impacted their life, there’s nothing quite like it. That’s one of the reasons I love performing live so much too.
I don’t love how for me specifically, I have to be so far from my family and home to do what I love. Prior to the pandemic it wasn’t such an issue but now it’s been over a year since I’ve seen a single family member or friend from home and we don’t know when I’ll get back, so it can get challenging at times.
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
Keith Urban, Kasey Chambers & Troy Kemp (he’s here in Nashville and the sweetest guy you’ll ever meet!)
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
It’s more difficult this year than ever as an independent artist to get music heard when major labels are taking over the streaming services; that’s a widely known thing in the industry. They’ve even stated that if you don’t have a major label or know someone personally at spotify, it’ll be almost impossible to get on an editorial playlist. So I’m obviously not happy about that because it’s hard enough having to do it all on your own without excessive funding and a label backing you.
I think social media is an incredible tool for finding new fans and creating new friendships; I’ve made countless! It’s changing daily though and I often feel that once I’ve got a hold of one thing, it’s on to the next and no one cares about that anymore. I have friends who have taken off on TikTok that weren’t doing much on Instagram and ones who kill it on Spotify but TikTok hasn’t taken much of a liking. I’ll never fully understand it but I know there are people out there who are looking for new music and new friends, and social media is a way for me to meet them; even if virtually.
How will you continue appealing to the international market?
Just by being me! Not sure what else I can do really.
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
As mentioned, we co-write constantly. And there’s nothing more collaborative than that. My dream one day would be to sing with Keith Urban. I saw him for the first time at the Tamworth Country Music Festival when I was 7, and I feel he’s really paved the way for a lot of Aussies in country music.
What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
I think it’s funny thinking there are people who’d want to follow in my footsteps as I feel I have so much more on my bucket list. But if anyone was to ask, I’d probably just tell them that you have to believe in yourself, or no one else will. And also what John Mayer wrote on an instagram post the other day…
Nobody can tell you you don’t have what it takes if they don’t fully understand a. you b. what you have c. what it takes
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?
In person is always fun! Though at shows it’s always a little hectic so send me a message on instagram or comment on a post!
Any last words?
I know Australia’s really been going through it lately… I speak to my family in Melbourne every day. I can’t imagine how difficult it’s been for everyone in the lockdowns, but I’m sending my love and hoping we all get out of this soon xx
Website: JasminBade.com
Facebook: @JasminBadeMusic
Twitter: @jasminbademusic
Instagram: @jasminbademusic
TikTok: @jasminbademusic