We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jasmine Bailey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jasmine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My debut album, Negative Space, was created over a four year period from 2020-2024. The pandemic was the catalyst for writing many of the songs, which explore themes of isolation, liminality, relationships, and identity. Before the pandemic, I had been preoccupied in a hyper-productive state of performing, touring, working, and traveling, but I was burnt out. I had lost a lot of joy in my artistic practice, and often found that I was “too busy” to create the work that I desired. All of that changed when the lockdowns started. I began collaborating remotely with my co-producer DeShawnBigD, through zoom calls and listening sessions. At times, it felt like this project might never see the light of day, because there was so much uncertainty about the future. We worked slowly, and meticulously, and I slowly found joy in creating again. I learned to revel in the process, and build trust with a collaborator. This project is very meaningful to me because it is the very essence of slowing down, and finding meaning and joy in the seemingly “empty” periods of life. Now, after all this time, it’s out on all streaming platforms, and available for vinyl purchase!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist producer, visual artist, film producer, vinyl DJ, and creative director.
I have spent the last 10 years of my career as a professional musician, and freelance graphic designer. For me, music and visual art are intrinsically connected, so I’ve naturally developed both alongside each other.
For my visual work, I often create album artwork, event posters, animated music videos, short films, film portraiture, websites, visualisers and short-form promotional content for music releases. I love to create by hand, so my work is illustration-based and I use rotoscope as my primary method of animation.
For my sonic work, I topline (writing lyrics, melodies), arrange and compose original music, and score short films. I’ve released several singles alongside various artists, my most recent was a single called ‘Present Moment’ by Part Time Love Affair, and myself. It’s a jazzy, house-y, upbeat summer anthem with a positive message.
I graduated with my BA in Musicology at UCLA this year, and am currently working on integrating my interdisciplinary creativity with musicological research. I just finished a short film documentary about the process of making an album, while navigating the exploitative music industry, mental illness, and media studies. I am really excited to explore how artists can ethically use technology to create, connect, and build a more equitable world. I hope to continue to work along these boundaries of academic and creative.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Pay for music. Even if it’s $5, streaming platforms are extremely exploitative right now, and many musicians are struggling to earn a liveable wage from releasing music. But directly when you can, at a show or from sites like Bandcamp.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I think they are a cool concept! I like the idea of utility NFTs, which serve a function as well as an aesthetic element. For example, say you buy a ticket to go see your favorite artist perform live. Typically, that digital ticket is useless after you’ve scanned it for entrance. But there are sites where the ticket is actually an NFT, and it appreciates in value after you’ve used it! It becomes a collectible. I think that’s a rad idea, and it’s nostalgic, too. Back when concert tickets were physical, I would save them. This idea brings that idea back, but in a modern way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jasminebaileymusic.com
- Instagram: @jasminebaileymusic
- Other: http://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jasminebailey/negative-space/