Music Spotlight: Jamisen

LA-based pop artist Jamisen Jarvis has us completely hooked with her debut single Addicted, released last month, + her latest track Come In. We can’t get enough of the 17-year-old singer-songwriter’s flawless blend of pop + electronica elements layered with her hypnotizingly sultry vocals. We’re also obsessing over her newly released (+ very gorgeous) music video for Addicted. We chatted with Jamisen all about the tracks, video + what’s next.

Asymmetric Magazine: Congrats on your recent release Come In! Can you tell us all about it?
Jamisen Jarvis: Thank you! Come In actually started by me coming home one night and my dad saying it would be cool to make a song to the beat of a knock. I laughed at first cause I didn’t have a concept around it yet to understand how cool of an idea that was. The start of the song is the voice memo of me and [my co-writer] Dylan Rouda’s first time starting to write the song, and I say, ‘Ah I don’t know what I’m doing.’ Little did I know, I was actually doing something! You can listen to the words and figure out what it’s all about. ;)

AM: And what about Addicted?
JJ: Well, I usually write about situations that have happened to me or to other people. This was the first time I wrote more deeply about who I am and what goes on in my head. I went into the session thinking I was gonna write about something that had happened to me the day before, but somehow my producers/co-writers Dylan Rouda and David Frank helped pull this deeper side of me out instead. It’s definitely the most vulnerable song I’ve ever written, but that’s what makes it real and hopefully relatable for others.

AM: Are there any consistent themes you typically pursue through your music?
JJ: Just honesty. Oh and boys. Writing is so freeing because I can literally say everything I’ve been holding in. I’m a sensitive person, so every song I write has to make me feel some type of emotion or it’s just not a good song.

AM: We’re obsessing over your Addicted video! What was the process like for creating that?
JJ: It’s so corny, but it was actually a dream come true. I never thought I would actually get to film a video, especially with this quality of crew and filming! It was so thrilling because I got to be the character of who I was when I wrote the song. 

AM: You've been playing some live shows recently, too. What's your favorite track to perform live?
JJ: Yes! My favorite to perform live isn’t out yet but hopefully soon—it’s called scream:). It’s fun because it’s like three songs in one. It starts out very chill and pop and then it becomes the closest to rapping I’ll ever do. And it has a very 60’s-inspired chorus. It’s the one people get up to dance to.

AM: Where is one place that you feel completely in touch with your creative self and your music?
JJ: Either when I’m sitting on my bed, or at Dylan Rouda’s home studio. I was homeschooled my whole life and sitting on my bed with a guitar or journal is 100% me. However, recently I started going to Dylan’s and found my sounds there. We became like best friends after a few sessions—I feel so comfortable to write about how I feel. Music is so powerful, and it’s so important to be around people you can be yourself when you write.

AM: What other musicians are you currently listening to?
JJ: I have a new favorite like every other week. The ones that stay my favorites are Post Malone, Billy Joel, Khalid and Miley Cyrus. I get inspired by so many others, but if I have the aux, I will definitely play those first. 

AM: What can we expect to hear from you next?
JJ: Well, I just finished writing songs for an EP. I hope to have that come out soon plus a few more videos. I am a person who is ready yesterday. I know, I know—I just need to be patient and enjoy the process.

// listen to Come In:

// photo courtesy of Jamisen Jarvis
// Listen to more Jamisen on Spotify.