After spending the last few years turning out a wealth of warm and mesmerising efforts, London-based artist Jamws has now looked to cement his vibrant legacy to date with his shimmering debut album 'Soft'.
Featuring the previously shared delights ‘I Don’t Want To Fall In Love’ and ‘How’s LA?’, this new ten-track collection makes for an incredibly fresh and embracing listen. Filled with bold and euphoric energy, a soaring atmosphere, and his own endearing voice layered throughout, 'Soft' sees him as one of the more captivating names on the rise right now.
So with the new LP available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The guitar, my dad was a songwriter and taught me when I was 12. Some of my earliest memories are watching him perform songs for me in his little study.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My earliest hyped musical memories are Sgt. Pepper, Glory, glory Man Utd and the Lost in Space theme by Apollo 440. My teens were all about nu-metal and emo.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Spiceworld
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
God Only Knows
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I think rituals and disciplines are so interesting and can make the artistic process feel magical. However, my creative process is kind of dull. Sometimes, I’ll clean my flat and maybe burn some sage or meditate before I start or go for a walk if I hit a wall but no hanging upside or LSD.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m so late to the party but I finally listened to Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers. I find her writing as inspiring as it is intimidating. Her lyrics are so good they kind of make me want to give up. I also adore the new BC Camplight album. It’s a break-up album that goes to some very dark places but it’s also really funny and imaginative, I love it.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Paramore
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I’ve received some lovely messages from people who have said how much a song has meant to them or how it’s helped them through a dark time. That is a lovely feeling.
And what is the most frustrating part?
It’s the non-music stuff, mostly. I’m a huge overthinker and find social media quite difficult. I also think the expectation for artists to explain what their new song is about or what their ‘story’ is can be tricky. It’s natural to want to know more about an artist because the more you know, then the more you can relate and it’s also a way of standing out amongst a sea of new artists. But I also think music is deeply personal and if an artist doesn’t want to share what something is about or where they come from, then that doesn’t mean they’re not doing their job as an artist. Going through spells of being uninspired or feeling like all you write is trash is really scary too.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I’ve got a few, most isn’t advice I’ve received but things I’ve picked up and try to keep in my mind.
- As soon as you start writing a song finish it as soon as possible while you’re in the same headspace (I think that was something Lennon said to McCartney).
- “All you have to do is write a true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” (Hemingway)
- Commit to a decision (Mikko, my producer on ‘Soft’, this helped no end in the studio) - Make the first line of the song really strong.
- If you live by the cheers, you’ll die by the boos.
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Jamws' new album 'Soft' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.