JONES has recently released her brand new single, 'Read My Mind,' which is the second preview of her eagerly anticipated new EP, which is set to be released later this month. Matching the sublime summer atmospherics from her previous single 'Around,' 'Read My Mind' further highlights her talent as an exceptionally talented musician in her own right. With delicate sprinklings of guitar, an unhurried and unobtrusive beat, and bass grooves that drift with a calming ambience, 'Read My Mind' allows JONES to experiment with her classy voice.
Speaking about her new single, JONES explained:
"In this song, I was half mocking myself and all the impossible things I want in a relationship, but judging from conversations with female friends, I'm not the only one!"
Here at The Lowdown, we had the chance to speak with JONES about her new single, what can be expected from her upcoming new EP, her plans for the remainder of the 2021 and more. Keep reading to check out what she had to say!
You have recently released your new single, 'Read My Mind.' What has it been like for you to get new music released?
"It's always exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time, but ultimately, I'm just incredibly thankful for having the opportunity to be on this career path and musical journey. I've experienced so many amazing things. To fulfil a dream in any way is a blessing, so I'm really just happy and also excited for the future!"
The new single is taken off your upcoming new EP, which is set to be released next month. From what we've heard already, will the EP have a jazz-sounding vibe, or will there be a variety of sounds on it?
"Yes! I'm so excited for 'Blue Sunshine' to be released. I've definitely been feeling very inspired by a slightly different sound to where I was before. I've been listening to a lot of Steve Lacy and SAULT. I think that's the beauty of being an artist. You can evolve and experiment with different things over time - you don't need to stay in a fixed place. I'm always just aiming to come from a place that's authentic and real. Echoing the music that I'm loving at that moment is real to me."
You spoke about this single as being you 'half mocking myself and all the impossible things I want in a relationship.' Do you feel that it is easier to write songs based on personal experiences?
"Yes! I self-analyse constantly (probably too much), but that's the way I'm built. One day, I was just musing over how something I just want the impossible and expect other people to understand that without me needing to explain (like wanting someone to just read my mind). I learn so much about myself when in a relationship. I feel like relationships are a gigantic mirror that forces you to look within yourself. I would say it's 50/50 - I think half the time I'm writing about a personal autobiographical experience, and the other half of the time I'm just imagining these scenarios and they feel real, so I write it as thought it's a real experience, but it's just my imagination having fun!"
Who would you say that you derive musical inspiration from?
"It definitely changes over time. It really depends on who I'm currently obsessed with. When I was a child, I was inspired by Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston's voice and Erykah Badu. The artists I listen to now in the most heavy rotation are Tame Impala, Little Dragon and SAULT."
Can you sum up your upcoming EP in a couple of words?
"If I had to sum up my EP in a couple of words, it would be 'diary,' 'purple and red feelings' and 'the mind."
How long has the EP taken to get to the stage of being released, right from the initial writing stages?
"This is the fastest turnaround that I have actually experienced yet. Things normally take a really long time to get released after they've been written (sometimes years). This one was written in October/November 2020 and then released just over six months later, so I think that's a pretty fast turnaround."
Aside from the release of your EP, what else have you got planned for the remainder of 2021?
"I have a second EP coming out, which is a continuation of 'Blue Sunshine.' I'm also planning some shows. Aside from that, as a human, I'm just focusing on wellness, health, happiness and spending time with the people I love."
Do you have a stand-out memory from the process of putting together your EP?
"The EP was written during lockdown, so that's always going to be a striking memory for me. I was (as was the whole world) under such unprecedented circumstances. I remember feeling so uncreative at the beginning, because I wasn't experiencing the world. I wasn't having interactions with people. I wasn't getting on public transport. I wasn't having a lot of fun. I was experiencing a lot of fear and felt that my freedom had been taken away from me. I vividly remember sitting in my bedroom with my keyboard, feeling trapped, and just pouring out my emotions into my laptop. There were also some amazing moments when I did get back into the studio, where I felt super connected to some of the collaborators and musicians that came in to play on the tracks."
What has been your favourite moment in your career to date?
"It's really hard to pinpoint one particular moment, but the first thing that came to my mind with this question was a blended memory of being on stage and performing to people and just feeling that euphoric magical energy where everyone's attention is focused on the sound that you're producing. There have been so many shows like that. Those are really my dearest and proudest moments...cheesy but true!"
Finally, do you have a message for all those who support you?
"I would just love to say a huge and deeply sincere thank you! Thank you to anyone and everyone who has ever supported, posted about the music, attended a show, sent me a message. I would love everyone to know that it really does mean the world to me. I still feel like what I do is surreal and every step of the journey is a blessing. Thank you so much for helping me to achieve that and for being a part of my journey!"
JONES' new single 'Read My Mind' is out now and is taken off her new EP 'Blue Sunshine,' which is set to be released on 17 September 2021.
By Rachel Dempster