Shortlink to this content: http://bit.ly/1W41PKG

Friday, June 17, 2016 3:19pm ET by  
Comments (0)

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Interview: Pressparty catches up with the lovely Jahméne

Jahméne is back with a brand new single entitled 'Is This The Time?' and we caught up with him earlier this week to talk about everything from his new music to faith, social media and to his involvement with charities. 

Hi, Jahméne. Tell us about your upcoming new album, which will now be released this coming September!

It has been about three years in the making. The creative process of the whole thing has been really easy – so making the music has been fine – but it’s just been harder on the other side. Trying to promote things, radio and stuff, because of the X Factor stigma, but we’re trying our hardest and pushing and pushing.

Do you feel that the X Factor stigma has a negative impact?

Definitely, if you’re not the main person they want to support, you’re left to your own devices. I think it’s been a blessing, though. I’ve been able to turn it into writing my own stuff and having more control. So the first one was a covers album and on this one I’ve written over half of the songs. 

Your sessions for this highly anticipated new album have included the legendary Diane Warren, what was that experience like?

I think a lot of it has been influenced by me this time around. My favourite session was finally meeting Diane Warren. She’s just very humble for the amount of things she’s written. She goes into her little room with her piano and locks the door behind her, and writes herself. Apparently it hasn’t changed for 20 years, that room. It’s untouched.

It just fell into place. We’ve known each other for years and we kept in touch. She’s a good type of crazy and they’re the type of people I get along with well. She wrote... well, she gave me four songs, but we ended up using one of them. It’s a big ballad. I went to her to find my big ballad because if there’s anyone to write you a ballad, it’d be Diane Warren. I think that’s one of two songs I haven’t had a hand in writing, and there are 14 songs total...

How have you found the writing process for your album? 

I think because it’s been a process of over three years, I’ve had so much stored up to put into song. I have a lot of poems that I’ve twisted and put into melodies and songs. It’s been very creative indeed! Yes, I’m hoping to get a book out at some point, but it’d have to be after the album. But it’s very organic and natural, songwriting, nothing’s forced. A lot of people try to bang out albums, but it’s important to take your time.

When did you start writing and what inspires you creatively?

I would say before I was 10 because my mum’s a poet – she’s got a book out and she’s had a new book out recently as well, but that’s not poetry. It’s called ‘You Can’t Run'. I would never be able to write a life story and put into a book, so she’s been very brave to put it into words to help other people.  

How has your sound evolved over the years, if at all? 

I would say that people haven’t had a chance to hear my real sound yet, so hopefully it’s just coming into light. Hopefully people like it. I would say it’s an introduction, because it feels like I haven’t really been introduced yet! What people saw on The X Factor was only about 50% me because you can never really be 100% on a show like that, there’s so much madness and control going on. 

Do you have good memories from your time on the popular TV vocal talent show?

Oh, definitely. I met so many inspiring people. Nicole Scherzinger has just been a support system. I call her my sister in Christ. She has been great – very helpful. She wrote me a lovely quote the other day, it took me by surprise.

 

 

Has your faith helped you to navigate the industry at all?

It’s a hard one. We are a Christian country... I’m not going to force it on people, I’ll let my work speak for itself. For me, music’s a sanctuary. It’s somewhere to go when you’re needing a pick-me-up. 

Let's talk about your new single, 'Is This The Time?':

I was going to say it’s good for the summertime, but it’s raining (laughs)! I’d say there are three sections to the album. I have my soul, I have the throwback sounds, the R&B... some gospel. I definitely have some ballads on there. I’m trying to keep it old school, but updated.

Are there any recurring themes in the songs that made the final tracklist? What influences your writing?

I think I’m just lucky to have lived the way I’ve lived. That’s helped me write. I know I’ve been through some things, but it got me to where I am. It’s interesting how easy it is to put into music without it being too deep. I thought it’d be a challenge, but it’s been easy because you take the positive route every time you write a song. It’s nice that you don’t tell people what the meaning is because it speaks to their own situation, rather than being obvious about the meaning.

You're associated with the fantastic charity One For The Boys. How did you get involved with that? 

It was actually while I was on the show (X Factor) – Samuel L. Jackson asked me to sing at one of the shows, he invited me down and ever since then I’ve been at every single show. It’s such a blessing to have someone like that believe in you. He’s a very busy man, but I’ve seen him maybe once a year since the show. 

It’s a very well-put together charity. Sofia Davis is a very close friend of mine who organises it all. Every year it gets better and better. It’s great to see someone bringing male health to the forefront. A lot of people don’t go and get checked, and when they do it’s too late. The statistic that gets me is that more women are diagnosed with cancer, but more men die from it. Just get checked, it’s that simple. It’s going well. Sofia does a lot of it by herself, so it’s inspiring to see how something can be built from the ground up.

You're also the youth ambassador for Women’s Aid.

It’s nice to have someone that’s been through it represent it – it’s not someone who doesn’t know what they’re talking about, you know. As soon as this album drops, I’ll be pushing them to the forefront again. They do so, so much. I’d like to see all the domestic violence charities get together and work from the same bucket.

Back to music, what are you listening to at the moment and what were you raised on?

I just love to sing. I love listening to gospel music and old school R&B. All-time favourite has to be Whitney Houston, of course. Growing up, it was anything from reggae to classical music, to dubstep! Everything. I listen to anything that sounds good. Recent? I love Gregory Porter, Lianne La Havas...

What do you think of social media? Is it a help or a hindrance?

I was thinking about this the other day... obviously being a singer, well, I don’t think you need it because ten years ago no one had it. It has its ups for advertising and connecting you with fans, but at the same time it doesn’t translate to the interactions with your music as much as you think it would. It’s almost like people having your personal number and a direct line to abuse you. It’s brilliant to push out information, though... I’m quite reclusive, I have to try and keep up!!! I can’t turn into a granny, I’m only 25! I do miss the days without Internet...

The Internet has kind of taken people’s imagination. Whenever I write, I try and close myself up from the world. I just wait for it to come. Usually it’s in the nighttime, annoyingly. It’s never when you need it to be – when you’re in your writing session! I’m just really excited to share everything I’ve been working on. I’m so proud of everything I’ve written. Even if it doesn’t do well in sales, I’ll know I put in 100%. 

Follow us: @Pressparty on Twitter Pressparty on Facebook

Check out Jahméne's new single below:

 

  Shortlink to this content: http://bit.ly/1W41PKG