JAHSHONA is a Canadian-Jamaican soul/r&b songstress, and writer. Her Introductory EP entitled “Peak” was independently released in December 2019. Since then Jahshona, who also produces her music, has had the acknowledgement of CBC Radio One for the record “Edge” of off the mini ep. Fresh Air, and Big city small world playlists. Within the community Jahshona has collaborated with Bumaroo, for a unique holiday visual, as well as Black Lives Matter Guelph’s Music show: Make a joyful Noise.
The songstress will be performing for the Toronto Pride 2021 Festival this June.
We had the chance to ask Jahshona some questions about her practice to figure out how she works.
When was it that you decided to be a musician or that you knew that music was the right path for you?
"I was heavily interested in the work behind the music. Writers, choreographers. This started at age 8. At 9 I was confident that I was going to be a singer/songwriter."
Walk us through your creative process. How does a song usually start and end for you?
"Melodies are my fuel so I usually begin there. The writing process is more of a freestyle to start, and then I begin to flesh out lyrics and intention. Arrangements are always changing from my finished to unfinished work when I perform the songs live they are usually different in arrangement or mood."
What’s your favourite part about being a musician?
"Now it’s the freedom I’ve given myself to explore my own creative desires and to produce them as soon as I feel them. I absolutely love to perform live, that is the point of it all for me."
What’s the most challenging thing about being a musician?
"Trusting the vision is by far the most difficult aspect. There is a lot of music in the world, so it seems like you have to fit in somewhere-folks will also make that pressure palpable. The truth is no person has the same goal, sound, and most importantly, no person shares the same exact story. So to follow your personal vision may take a while longer. Now for me, it’s rung as my true north."
Do you have a favourite song to perform? If so, what is it and why?
"My favourite original song to perform is an unreleased record called 'Set Me Free'. The song brings me to a place of personal peace. I wrote it with the intention to set myself free, from barriers, expectations, and the status quo. Performing it live is always incredibly satisfying for my soul experience."
Where do you pull inspiration from?
"I find inspiration in classic funk and soul music. Often stuck in the late 60’s and 70’s era I tend to find more of my voice in records of that time. Rufus + Chaka Khan, are my perfect mood."
What are you most looking forward to about live performances starting to become more of a reality in the near(ish) future?
"I am most excited to emotionally connect in real life. Pre-pandemic I had just released my Introduction EP, and while I took time to get live how dates, I was only able to do a handful of shows before April. I cannot wait to have the interaction with music lovers again."
You have done a number of collaborations within the community. What is the importance of those collaborations to you?
"Collaboration with the right folks has been an overall enhancement to my otherwise solitude of a creation process. It gave me a chance to be a vocalist for projects, and then have trusted collaborators add their expertise to my projects. Not only has it introduced me as an artist in the community but to be a part of one feels amazing. Huge shoutout to BLM Guelph and to Bumaroo for their platforms, I’m excited to do more musical work in the community."
Do you have any upcoming projects you’re looking forward to?
"YES! On July 21, 2021, the revisited record “Sustain” will have its Pride Edit released with a music video. The Song+Audio was premiered on TorontoPride.com. I’m also working on a project for Fall/Winter 2021. You can expect visuals and Live Performances all summer from me!"
If you were any instrument or piece of musical equipment, what would you be and why?
"I would be a Trumpet. I love vocalists who are able to naturally emulate the sound of one, while scatting or with their personal diction and note placement."