England-born & Alberta-raised country artist Jasmine is working hard to make a name for herself in the music industry. Last year, she released her debut album, “Just a Girl and Her Guitar”. The 13-track album earned her a consideration for the Country Music Alberta Awards’ Horizon Youth Award and a spot in the second ballot for Album of The Year.
Recently, I spoke with Jasmine in regards to her budding career as an artist, her debut album and her goals for 2023.
Kyla Pearson: For those who are unfamiliar with you and your music, can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming an artist?
Jasmine: Like many other artists, it started when I was a young child. My mom put me in lessons for singing and for guitar. I did dance for 10 years as well. That’s when I really learned rhythm, which is really important when creating music. After dance, I wanted to try something different so I branched out more into the music. I’ve always been very poetic and able to write how I feel.
I grew up in a small town called Smith Alberta, where I spent most of my teen years. One day there was karaoke at a local café in my town and the owner really loved the way I sounded. They offered me a sponsorship to create an album.
Before the album, I released my first single, “You Owe a Life” at 16. Since then, I’ve been nominated for awards and have even been working with a band for shows upcoming in 2023.
Kyla Pearson: What message do you want to share through your music? Why is this message important to you?
Jasmine: I speak about my personal experiences in my music. My album is a little bit different from your normal country album. It does have a mix of pop and R&B but overall, country is my sound. I want to let others know that just because you’re a country artist, it doesn’t mean you can’t branch out and experiment with genre. I also make music for others to listen to and to relate to, so they have their own form of therapy like music is for me.
Kyla Pearson: In 2022, you released your debut album, “Just a Girl and Her Guitar”. The album features 13 tracks, making this a massive debut project! Can you tell us a bit about each of the songs?
Jasmine: The first half of the album is a little bit unsettling. It’s sad it’s upsetting, it’s emotional but the other half is uplifting, confident and happy. It kind of shows how life is, it goes up and it goes down.
4 AM: 4 AM I wrote when I was 14. I wrote it about a guy that I really liked but only made it to the talking stage. I’ve heard many other girls have the same situation so when I knew I was making an album I knew this song had to be on it.
The Start: The Start explains how the start of the album is a sad soul.
Daddy‘s Girl: Daddy’s Girl is the hardest song I’ve ever written. I hesitated to put it on the album; it almost didn’t make the cut. In the end, I had the guts to put it on the album for others to relate to. I performed the song once and I will never perform it again.
I Overthink Everything: I Overthink Everything is a fun, relatable song about the little voices in our heads that don’t rest.
Interlude: Interlude is a short little song having clips of each song on the album into one the Interlude gives us a break from the story and picks it up.
You: You is about the feeling of love and being with the person that gives you butterflies.
She’s So Wrong: She’s So Wrong is my personal favourite. It’s about always doubting yourself.
Stay In Your Lane: Stay In Your Lane is a fan favourite. It’s about people always stepping on your toes when they shouldn’t be and telling them, “Get off my back”.
Day By Day: Day By Day is another love song. It speaks about how couples grow alongside each other and not apart.
My Country Life: My Country Life is a fun summer song to play while driving down the highway or to listen to on a boat at the lake.
Just a Girl and Her Guitar: Just a Girl and Her Guitar is a song about how I write my music. This song is another fan favourite!
The End: The End is the ending to this chapter in my life.
I also have a music video out for 4 AM on my YouTube channel, so you can experience it a little with me!
Kyla Pearson: What was the most challenging aspect of the project? Which part of the process did you enjoy the most?
Jasmine: The whole album was a challenge itself, as it’s something I’ve never done before. Nonetheless, I loved every minute of waiting for it!
The hardest part was narrowing down the tracklist. In total, I wrote 25 songs and only 13 made the cut. Maybe one day I’ll release the others.
I enjoyed recording it the most and just being in the studio.
Kyla Pearson: According to you, what is the ideal setting to listen to the album in order to fully experience it?
Jasmine: I would listen to it from start to finish to really understand the story, but each song is a story itself. Either way, I’m sure anyone can relate to at least one song on the album.
Kyla Pearson: What do you hope fans get out of the album?
Jasmine: Just release. Being able to listen to it and either smile or cry. I want my fans to be able to listen to a song and understand its meaning.
Kyla Pearson: This year, you achieved a new milestone in your career as an artist. You are up for consideration for the Country Music Alberta Awards’ Horizon Youth Award and made the second ballot for Album of The Year. What has this achievement meant for you? How can members vote for you? Are you excited to attend your very first music awards show?
Jasmine: I am beyond grateful and left speechless at this milestone. This has opened a lot of doors for me and I can’t wait to walk through them.
Members of the Country Music Alberta Awards will be able to vote for me through an election that gets sent to their email. I am so excited about the award show and to meet other artists!! I’m going dress shopping soon and I can’t wait to sparkle!
Kyla Pearson: Moving forward in 2023, what is one goal you hope to achieve with your music by the end of the year?
Jasmine: My goal this year is to record a single with MCC recording studio located in Calgary. And possibly get the single sent to radio. I will also be planning a music video.
Listen To Just A Girl And Her Guitar Now:
Stay Up To Date With Jasmine:
Jasmine. Interview. Conducted by Kyla Pearson, Feb 13, 2023.
Unknown. “Featured: Official cover art for Jasmine’s debut album, “Just a Girl and Her Guitar”.” Photo courtesy of Jasmine.. Accessed Feb 13, 2023.
