Q & A: Jade Turner on Her Empowering New Single, “Deadweight”

Roots-Country artist Jade Turner is encouraging listeners to tune out all the noise and haters with her new single, “Deadweight”. Written by Crystal Shawanda & Jade herself, the song shares a message of self-love and resilience, as well as letting go of the past in order to move forward. 

Recently, I spoke with Jade about her start in roots-country music, her latest single and more. 

Kyla Pearson: For those who are unfamiliar with you and your music, can you tell us a bit more about how you got your start in music? Why did you decide to pursue roots-country music specifically?

Jade Turner: I’ve been writing and singing for as long as I can remember. I started going into talent shows in northern Manitoba in my late teens and then was accepted into the NCI Jam in 2009 and won. From there I did my first ep. I used to try and be a Miranda Lambert-style country artist but then as I got older, I got more comfortable with myself and started just writing from the heart rather then trying to be or duplicate other artists’ sound. Been great since.

Kyla Pearson: You recently released your single, “Deadweight"-- A song which shares the message of accepting yourself and letting go of the past & the opinions of others in order to keep moving forward. Can you tell us a bit more about the songwriting and recording/production process?

Jade Turner: Yeah, so after taking a break from music to have my son, one of my first gigs was a recorded gig. That was then published on socials and someone had made a horrible comment about my weight. I posted about it, and Crystal Shawanda reached out to say that it happens to her a lot too.

Not long after, we ended up getting together over Zoom to co-write. During our write, she said, “You know Jade, I think we should write something of your experiences growing up (I was bullied a lot) and the crap we have to take being women in the industry”. From there, we came up with this amazing song… she sent over a demo and I went on to record it with my buds, Murray Pulver and Stephen Arundell.

Featured: Roots-country artist, Jade Turner. PC: VanHeyst Photography.

Kyla Pearson: On a related note, what is one piece of advice you’d give to someone who is in the process of letting go/moving past a difficult situation?

Jade Turner: Find a way to ground yourself and take a break from socials. Remember that the only opinion you should be worried about is your own and that you are who you are for a reason. Self-love is such a gift.

Kyla Pearson: According to you, what is the ideal setting to listen to the song in order to fully experience it?

Jade Turner: When you’re sitting in your car in the driveway. You have it turned up loud enough that you can feel it in your bones…or live.

Kyla Pearson: The single artwork–which was designed by Roberta Landreth–also holds a special meaning to you. Can you tell us a bit more about the symbolism behind it?

Jade Turner: I actually gave all the reins to Roberta on this one. I knew I loved her work. So I sent her the song and said, “I trust you”… she did not disappoint!

Kyla Pearson: Lastly, do you have any upcoming shows fans can hear you perform “Deadweight” live?

Jade Turner: Yes, I am performing at the Forks on June 17th for Indigenous Day live and then again on July 1st for Kanada Day.

Listen to "Deadweight" Now:

 

Stay up to Date With Jade Turner:

Works Cited

Turner, Jade. Interview. Conducted by Kyla Pearson, June 4 2023.

 

VanHeyst Photography. “Featured: Roots-country artist, Jade Turner”. Photo courtesy of PR Team. Accessed June 1 2023.

 

VanHeyst Photography. “Featured: Roots-country artist, Jade Turner”. Photo courtesy of PR Team. Accessed June 1 2023.

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