 "Stanford University medical student turned hot singer/songwriter" is probably the only label that truly describes the multi-faceted Nya Jade. Her independent debut, My Denial, released on her own Katako Records, is a testimony to being true to your passion.
"Torn between getting a degree and pursuing her passion for writing music, she saw the light when she was hit by a speeding car," says our reviewer Shonuf. "While recuperating, she decided life was too short not to follow your dreams and chose music. Her guitar lessons and song writing became an integral part of her therapy and here she is, living her dream."
Although, Jade's set is chock full of brutally honesty songs that exhibit an ability to appeal to a broad cross section of listeners, the lone word "R&B" is often used to describe her work which also utilizes rock, pop and folk, and defies categorization. She recently took the time to holla at HRS and express her frustration with the industry's insistence on labeling artists.
"It can be frustrating when people want to just immediately think I'm just all R&B," she told us. "I'm like 'Did you listen to the record there are like four rock songs on there!' You take a song like [Michael Jackson's] "Beat It" and you've got Van Halen guitars in there. We shouldn't be afraid to expand and draw from who we listen to and what we like."
My Denial, released June 13th and fueled by the brilliant single "One Pill," has caused people to take notice of the message behind Jade's image. Exhibiting a powerful connection with her material and possessing skills comparable to some of the best singer/songwriters, the San Francisco-based up-and-comer magically manages to remain upbeat while simultaneously addressing heavy subjects such as redemption, true love, societal ills and living life to the fullest. I had the pleasure of talking to the sweetly intelligent Jade who openly discussed her accident, goals, inspirations and more.
AUDIO INTERVIEW
My Denial review
VIDEO "One Pill" Windows Low |High
Official Site
MySpace
AUDIO INTERVIEW (Quicktime)
- Just how did that scary accident lead you to a music career?
- Talk about taking your place in the long line of "sistas with guitars" - Odetta, Joan Armatrading, Tracy Chapman, India.Arie, etc. "It's a quiet storm brewing... it's really exciting to be a part of that."
- What song from the album stands out for you? "'Next To You'... It's a pure love song."
- "One Pill" is so on point. What led you to write it?
- How do you really feel about being labeled as just an R&B artist? "I understand how people need to put boxes around things... so that the lightbulb will go off in someone's head..."
- Who influenced your early love of music? "The first tape that I got was Michael Jackson's Thriller."
- What's burning up your iPod right now?
- If you could work with anybody who would you choose? "I love the band U2.They're amazing."
- Short term goal? "I just want to be able to play out as often as the opportunity presents itself."
- Nya Jade speaks directly to the HRS audience.
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