Jasmine Jordan: Music With A Message

Let’s hop right into this single / video, “name a better duo,” feat. A-Game —Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

Hi! I went into the studio with a very clear vision that I wanted to write a song about the type of healthy and exhilarating love I am manifesting in my life. I wanted to write a song lovers could be bold and confident singing. This love is so good; it’s a flex! That was the inspiration behind creating this single. I shared this concept with my producer / writing partner, Andre de Santanna, and we fell right into the vibe of it. I wanted to create something that would translate over beautifully as an acoustic performance. We ended up recording vocals, bass and guitar live in the studio to keep its authenticity and emotion. Strings were the last piece added, and then I knew A-Game would add his special energy and male perspective onto it perfectly. I wanted to end the song with his take on the subject.

Of course “name a better duo” comes courtesy of your latest EP, Innermission— Conceptually, what does that title represent both to and for you?

“name a better duo” represents my belief that we should all be confident in whatever partnerships we choose. It’s about celebrating the courage to love big again in spite of any and all hurt we’ve experienced. Which is something I’ve discovered in myself along my innermission, with the help of therapy, community, experiencing losses and in my faith. The innermission we each are on will dare us to remain hopeful. And the heart will teach us just how strong and resilient we are. That’s what both titles really mean to me. It’s having the audacity to keep hope alive, and to be bold in love. Every time.

How then does Innermission either differ and / or compare to previous entries?

Innermission is a deeper look into pages of my personal diary. I’ve always written from the heart and pulled from life experience, but this body of work dives into various themes; heartbreak, healing, anxiety, perfectionism, fear, love, self-love and awareness- in greater detail. It explores those broken and full pieces I’ve been discovering more and more in myself. I really took my time with this project and let it be what it needed to be without placing rules, deadlines or boundaries on myself. I made a decision to write about more parts of my story. To write more than just the traditional R&B love song- which I love so much. But to write songs like “Release,” that dives into my battle with anxiety…and “Champion,” that is a song of affirmation I have to remind myself to believe when life throws all its curveballs.

As a songwriter, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from my life, my fantasies, my dreams, my fears, my tribe and their experiences; my battles with life and love.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Jasmine Jordan?

I knew I loved music at a very early age. I have tapes of me singing New Edition at the age of 2. My parents caught on very early and really nurtured me and my gifts. They encouraged me to sing and dream. I started singing in church and school early, and that led to a few big moments in my life that confirmed music was / is my true love. I was in a band called Sugar Water Purple in college, and that gave me the courage to move to L.A. to pursue a solo career right after graduating. Been on my innermission since! Still on it…

Now you’re a native of Lacey, Washington, by way of Brooklyn, New York, correct? So growing up in ‘Breukelen,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

I’m actually a military brat. I was born in Monterey, CA, moved a few times between CA and WA, but went to middle and high school in Lacey, WA. I’m a West Coast girl now living in Brooklyn and loving it! I grew up listening to a lot of R&B and Soul. Hip Hop influenced me…and Gospel. Mariah Carey is one of my singing heroes…I heard a lot of New Edition, Mary J Blige, Luther Vandross, Whitney, Pac, Heavy D. My strongest musical influences outside of Mariah Carey are Tamia, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé.

In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

I’m absolutely an R&B girl. But I want to always allow myself to explore and create from the heart. Whatever sound or style that may be.

Tell me how the whole transition from group member with Sugar Water Purple to soloist came about?

Sugar Water Purple was a Jazz / Soul band I was the lead singer of in college. We spent almost 4 beautiful years together, but it naturally came to an end when we graduated because we were all pursuing our next chapters and that looked different for everyone. I moved to L.A. knowing I was going to be working from the ground up as a new solo artist. I took all the lessons learned from being in the band, my then manager, David Creel, moved to L.A., and we started building. I met my producer, Andre de Santanna, and we’ve been working together since my first EP, Time Travel.

Switching gears here…

To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Thus far, I would have to say opening up for Grammy nominated R&B artist, Joe. I grew up listening to his catalog, so opening up for him singing my own music was and still is one of my greatest career moments.

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…

I love connecting. My favorite time to interact is at shows, but I’m pretty active on Instagram and try to respond to whatever I see on all of the other social apps; YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

My favorite part is definitely creating and performing my music. Taking an idea from my heart, mind and spirit, and transforming that into a finished piece is one of my favorite things in life. I’m inspired every time I see anyone do it! I am still so in awe of the entire creative process because it involves stripping back layers, and exposes so much of yourself. There are so many emotions throughout the process – even a performance – but that feeling at the end is priceless. My least favorite part is the business. It’s necessary, but can be extremely suffocating of the beauty of the art. Nobody wants to be driven by metrics, trends and the opinions of others when you’re creating. It’s trash! And as an independent artist, I’m wearing so many hats and that has to involve the business portion. It can be very distracting and exhausting.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

I would say stay true to who you are, what you want to create and take up all the space you need, unapologetically. Get to know yourself as deeply as possible so that you know when your intuition is speaking, and have the strength and courage to listen to that voice as you navigate your career and this industry. Also, keep real ones by your side who will uplift you, pour into you and hold you accountable. Embrace your differences, stop with comparison and know that we need your contributions. Stop with imitation all together. Tap into your magic the way only you can, and trust the God of the process.

Lastly, what’s next for you, Jasmine?

Next up is my Innermission Mini Documentary, with an accompanying extended EP that includes “name a better duo” and two other new songs.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

Everyone can connect with me @therealjasmine on all socials, and can sign up for more information on all my next moves via my website: jasminejordanmusic.com.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

I hope innermission inspires you to live your most authentic life. To confront and feel the lows and highs, to be human and imperfect…but also to hold hope and love close to the chest. Guard it and enjoy the hell out of every mountain top moment. Celebrate you and life every chance you get so that when the lows hit along your innermission, you have something to reflect back on that will help you push forward.