Following on from a string of impactful offerings in recent years, New York-based artist Jess Yaffa is back on the grind once again to deliver her vibrant new single 'Just For One Night'.
Marking her first piece of new material in two years, 'Just For One Night' makes for a stellar return to form for her. With its bold and driven pop-rock textures perfectly elevating her soaring vocals throughout, she is certainly looking to turn some heads with this wondrous new delight.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with was piano - I immediately felt this connection to it that was an extension of myself. I spent a lot of high school sitting in my house at the piano teaching myself any song or chord progression I could until I felt confident to start writing songs on the piano. It will always remain a foundation of my music.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My dad listened to classic rock, my mom listened to r&b and hip-hop so I learned different ways of story telling through a variety of music genres. I used to love our car rides listening to songs and getting lost in the stories and imagining myself in them.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I can’t remember exactly the first album I purchased but I remember the album C’mon C’mon by Sheryl Crow being one of the first CDs that I listened to constantly growing up. Soak Up The Sun was definitely my favourite and Sheryl Crow is one of my favourite songwriters - she’s awesome.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Oh wow there are so many. Anything by Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game and Tears Dry On Their Own are standouts. She is one of a kind.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I do this exercise that I made up for myself called “20 minute song writing challenges” where I set a timer and see what I can write before the time runs out. It helps me get clutter out of my brain but also has led me to writing songs like Taylor.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
RAYE, Doechii, Tyler The Creator, Jeff Buckley just to name a few. I’m always listening to Fleetwood Mac, Lauryn Hill, and Bleachers but I’m deep in my autumnal/winter vibe on my playlists.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Opening for Maggie Rogers has been a dream of mine since I was 15. She’s such a thoughtful and dynamic performer - it would be the best moment and I’d love to sing On + Off or Alaska with her.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
There are many rewarding things about being able to make art and share it with other people. When someone tells me that a song of mine has made a positive impact on their life or that they really resonate with my lyrics it’s such a special connection that motivates me to keep creating and keep developing these relationships.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Writers block lol. I get frustrated sometimes when I feel like I can’t properly express an emotion or a moment in a song. Sometimes I have days where I feel like everything I play just sounds terrible but I try to tell myself that I’m just one step away from writing something that I love.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
One of the best pieces of advice that I’ve received was actually a few weeks ago when I was speaking with a mentor of mine about confidence. He reminded me of the important of being authentically myself not just as an artist and songwriter but as a person in my day to day life. It gave me the grounding that I needed in that moment.
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Jess Yaffa's new single 'Just For One Night' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.