Never Mind
JAZMIN BEAN ON MISS PIGGY, THE CORPSE BRIDE AND NEW RELEASES
Jazmin Bean, the North London native has created a new bar for modern pop music. Their independently launched breakthrough debut EP, Worldwide Torture has racked up over 590 million streams since its release in 2019, cementing Bean’s status as a Non-Binary pop pioneer. The new album, Traumatic Livelihood, released via Interscope/Island UK invites listeners into their unparalleled immersive world of pastel goth visuals and infectious pop. Jazmine also recently stripped down 4 tracks from the album, recording acoustic versions titled “Strawberry House Sessions”. Never Mind attended a conference with Jaz in regards to the album and their newest releases.
To jump right into their most recent release, Jazmin shared that they try to do acoustic sessions every time they release a project, they said, “We always try to find a new location and last time we did it in the church. I guess we will keep finding new locations, but yeah this was one that was just outside of london [The Strawberry House], we always want them to be kind of I’m not sure how to describe- not regal but unique locations that aren’t just a recording studio.” Which definitely makes an impact and keeps not only the visuals intriguing but also the acoustics unique. Jaz also shared how if there was time they’d love to do all of Traumatic Livelihood stripped down, but picked some fan favorites and a few personal ones they really wanted to hear. Definitely looking forward to more acoustic sets from Jazmine as they add a rawness and texture to the songs.
In addition to a new album and acoustic sets, they also recently released a new single, “It’s not my fault it’s yours”, I wondered if this fit into the narrative of the album, Traumatic Livelihood and how inspiration struck for the song, Jazmine replied “I actually feel like it's a departure from Traumatic Livelihood, but I guess my inspiration was talking about how despite having a lot of music and media that’s very self help-y, that I am definitely not healed. And I’m not this fixed person that has more knowledge than anyone else on how to be the best version of themselves. But yeah it’s a song exposing myself and the kind of parts of my brain that maybe I don’t want people to always see. Whether that’s through shame or wanting to be the best version of myself, or to be an inspiration to people but I think yeah.
Jazmin pairs darker themes with their pastel goth aesthetic to create a captivating juxtaposition in their overall style as an artist. They talked about the reason behind the visuals for the album, they elaborated, “Visually I pull from so many things and I do a lot of painting. I was just talking about in another interview that I just really love Jim Henson and a lot of his films, and all of the characters and a lot of art pieces in films that bring you into a different world. I really love character design, creature based and stop motion and puppetry films… We used a lot of flowers and florals for this album. I feel like because some of the topics are quite dark I wanted to make sure the visuals are kind of contrasting and lighter and that they remind me of spring or summer, which are seasons I’m always very happy when they come. I live in the UK and the winters are quite long so I am always very excited when spring or summer is approaching. I just wanted the visuals to remind me of that. I always find it easier to be happy when the sun is up. ” And in regards to the themes, Jaz shared why they’re so open in their music and how it pays off when people relate, “When I was younger I wanted to find music that I really related to, and felt like maybe I wasn’t alone in my story. It’s nice to have younger people come up to me and kind of relay that I have achieved that. I guess, it’s the purpose of wanting people to feel less alone in their situations they think is really unique to them and I guess I’ve written about situations that I’ve thought were very unique to me. And people will come up to me and say they relate a lot.” Music has the power to unite us in our experiences in so many ways, and Jazmin’s music has definitely done so.
Being interested in music from a young age and confiding in the medium when going through hard times, they were asked, who are their biggest musical influences and how they shaped them as an artist? They said, “I love Danny Elfman. He's a big favorite of mine and his soundtracks are a big reason why I began music so I was really inspired by them from a young age. I love a lot of Orchestra based things, I’ve been listening to a lot of Mitski and I really love her. I am trying to think of who else. I always freeze when people ask me this question because I feel like my playlist is filled with so much I really love No Doubt, and Gwen Stefani. Yeah really varies, but I would say film scores were kind of a first love for me! My first love was the Corpse Bride Soundtrack, I was obsessed with that soundtrack as a kid. Speaking of films, if Jazmin were to switch lives with a movie character who would they choose? “I really like Kira from the Dark Crystal but I feel like she goes through a lot of suffering so maybe not.. Hmm I’m not sure maybe Miss Piggy, she seems to have it all figured it out.” Miss Piggy is a pop icon just like Jazmin, so that choice feels right. I feel like those two are cut from the same cloth.
Lastly, Jazmin shared their wisdom for artists who are just starting out , “Just do what you like. I think maybe I’m just too existential but I think follow your gut, and do art that fulfills you, because we are not really alive for that long. Whatever's meant to be, is meant to be. If you follow too many trends … they come and go. And the things that normally pioneer new things when they're most memorable are never cool to begin with; they become cool cause you made them cool.”
You can stream all of Jazmin Bean’s music on all streaming platforms, or purchase physical copies on their website www.jazminbean.net
