Artist Interview:Jasmine Catherine
Introducing Jasmine Catherine, a rising star in the world of cinematic and fantasy-inspired music. In this conversation, we delve into her creative process, the deep-rooted influences of folklore and mythology in her work, and how she crafts her unique sonic landscapes. Join us as we explore the stories behind her songs, including the epic "RISE," and learn what she hopes to convey to her listeners.
Tori: What draws you to folklore and mythology as inspiration for your music?
Jasmine: Ever since I was a child, I've used stories as an escape from the real world, a way to tap out for a bit and go somewhere else entirely. This only got more prevalent as I developed anxiety in high school. Whether it was through reading, watching movies, or listening to music, stories helped me get out of my own head and, in a roundabout way, made me feel more grounded. I think everyone deserves to have an escape—a way of being somewhere else for a moment: riding dragons, battling pirates, being part of a grand ball. I use folklore and mythology to help create a visual world through the power of music.
Tori: Can you walk us through your creative process when writing a song like "RISE"?
Jasmine: I can only describe my creative process as a "mind dump." I grab hold of an idea that pops into my head, and then I tend to start doing everything at the same time. I write the lyrics as I compose the melody. This, of course, starts off a little messy, but from there, I start to shape it, clean it up, do more of what worked, and change the things that didn’t quite fit.
Tori: How do you balance the darker themes in your music with the beauty of your melodies?
Jasmine: I find that choosing to write in particular keys helps me there. "RISE" went through a few different key changes and melody changes until I found a sense of foreboding matched with hope. Carefully choosing the instruments also helps. For example, using strings to lift the feel a bit but bringing in brass or percussion to add more depth. I also love adding harmonies, especially to either brighten up the melody or darken it. For example, there’s a moment in "RISE" where I added quite a dissonant harmony to really bring out the darker side just for a moment.
Tori: In what ways do you think your music can be a form of escapism for listeners?
Jasmine: I think, or hope, it takes people to different worlds. I've always had the aim of writing songs that create a mini-movie in people’s minds. In "RISE," I see dragons, fierce battles, and shattering storms, whereas others might see something completely different. That is the beauty of music and everyone’s individual imagination.
Tori: What role does storytelling play in your songwriting, and how do you craft your narratives?
Jasmine: It plays a massive part. I aim to make all my songs their own mini-story, so I write the lyrics like I would a story. I start with an introduction, have the chorus as a pivotal point, a bridge being a turning point in the story, and the verses acting almost like chapters. Sometimes my narratives are inspired by existing stories—for example, "RISE" was initially inspired by Fourth Wing—and sometimes they’re just inspired by a fantastical idea.
Tori: How do you approach collaborating with other musicians or composers in your work?
Jasmine: I’m so fortunate to have such a lovely community of musicians, composers, and producers on my Instagram. I tend to approach a collaboration with an open mind and willingness to bounce ideas off someone else to create something awesome!
Tori: What inspired the orchestral instrumentation in "RISE," and how did you achieve that sound?
Jasmine: Much of the orchestrational genius came from my amazing producer and friend, Nicole Gisbourne! A lot of inspiration for the song came from some of the great soundtrack composers of our time: John Williams, Hans Zimmer, etc. Using orchestral instruments allowed the song to have a really full and powerful feeling, as well as a timeless feeling that comes from fairy tales and stories.
Tori: Can you tell us about the themes of rebellion and hope in your music, and how they relate to your own life?
Jasmine: I’m no stranger to trying to live my life to appease other people. Growing up, I constantly did things to try and keep other people happy. However, living your life by other people’s rules, boundaries, and ideals isn’t truly living your life. I feel everyone at some point has their own rebellion they’ve led, whatever that looks like, whether that’s taking back control of their narrative or something else entirely. Equally, everyone knows longing and hope. Where there’s a will to change something, there’s hope that you can and hope for what things might look like afterward.
Tori: How do you see your music fitting into the broader landscape of contemporary music?
Jasmine: My music isn’t necessarily what many would deem mainstream music and isn’t akin to much contemporary music. However, my music is there for people to find an escape. It’s for the dreamers, and I believe that there is a dreamer in everyone.
Tori: What do you hope listeners take away from your songs, particularly with "RISE"?
Jasmine: With all my songs, I hope my listeners feel empowered and strong, and I hope they get that buzz you get after watching an epic movie in the cinema. Equally, I hope they find that quiet and calm you get from escaping this world and going to another one for a while.
Tori: How do you think fantasy and mythology can be used to explore real-world issues?
Jasmine: I think a lot of issues that arise in stories and mythology can be related to the real world, whether that’s pushing against evil, exploring social dynamics, or fighting inner demons. I believe stories can give us a way to explore combating these or rising up in a safe and empowering manner.
Tori: Can you share any memorable fan reactions or interactions that have inspired you?
Jasmine: I once got a message from someone thanking me for giving them an escape during a particularly difficult time in their life, and that reminded me why I do what I do.
Tori: Can you discuss the story and inspiration behind your song "Checkmate"?
Jasmine: "Checkmate" was originally inspired by the fantasy novel Red Queen, but it ultimately is a story of defiance against those who would oppress others, reclaiming your story, but also toeing the line of revenge. Does the character in the story end as a liberator or does she turn into just another villain? This gets explored with lines such as, "I’ve slow-danced with the devil one too many times."
Tori: How does "Tightrope's" reflection on mental health and self-control relate to your own experiences or observations?
Jasmine: "Tightrope" came very much from a place of living your life to please others, something that hits home for me. With developing anxiety through high school and having to learn to live with it, it was a lot trying to live up to expectations I didn’t care for or trying to achieve goals that didn’t really mean anything to me. But there is always an out, a light at the end of the tunnel, which I really hope comes through in "Tightrope."
Tori: What's your favorite part about crafting cinematic experiences through music?
Jasmine: My favorite part is the moment you can hear and feel the vision starting to take form and come to life. You always have an idea in your head of what form it’ll take, but you never truly get that feeling until you hear it start to take shape, and that is a magical feeling!
Tori: How do you stay true to your artistic vision while also resonating with a wide audience?
Jasmine: I try to explore different branches of creating my music and experiment with different vibes while always keeping storytelling and connecting with people at the heart of it.
Tori: What draws you to the world of fantasy and adventure in your songwriting?
Jasmine: The real world can be a lot to deal with, and it can get very overwhelming, so I often find myself drawn to the world of fantasy and adventure as a way to escape everything going on and help quieten everything down for a moment. Writing music and being in this other world is a perfect escape for me and, I hope, for others.
Tori: How do you envision the sonic landscape of your future projects evolving?
Jasmine: I have a lot of very exciting projects lined up. My next single, "The Dark Days," is in production, and my EP—the name is still a secret, but it's about mythology—is lined up as well! My goal is to just keep getting better and keep reaching new levels with every new song, so I am super excited for the future.
Tori: What message do you hope "RISE" conveys to listeners, and how do you see it impacting them?
Jasmine: I hope it encourages people to stand up for what they believe in and not be afraid to make a difference. Every single person is capable of enacting change—we all have a voice—and I hope "RISE" helps empower people.
Tori: How do you see your songs, like "RISE" and "Checkmate," fitting into your overall discography and artistic narrative?
Jasmine: My artistic narrative and discography will always revolve around stories, whether that’s a song about the Valkyries or a new story inspired by the leaves falling, and be a place for people to escape to. I think my songs do and will continue to grow that idea.
Follow Jasmine Catherine here!
Stream Jasmine Catherine here!
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