A Chat with Robyn Jade (18.03.21)
Inspired by Biffy Clyro, Noah and the While, Death Cab For Cutie and Josh Rouse, Robyn Jade adds some rock into acoustic folk. We speak with the UK-based singer-songwriter about his album Seahorse, musical achievements and much more!
OSR: What can you tell us about your album Seahorse?
Jade: Seahorse is a collection of acoustic songs that are very important to me. Writing them helped me deal with a lot of hardship faced in the last three years. My answer to most unwanted feelings is to try and write a song. This is the product of turning negatives into positives.
OSR: What was the writing and recording process like?
Jade: Very relaxed as I recorded it all myself at home during lockdown using a Tascam DP-006 and my basic knowledge of recording. I wrote the songs ‘Blue’ and ‘Wasps’ a year apart and the rest over the last year. I recorded the album in two days so I feel it has a relaxed flow to it.
OSR: What is your creative process?
Jade: I wait for the song to come to me during something turbulent within my mood, then I don’t leave it until it’s complete. I know it won’t have the same nature as the other parts if I complete it over a number of days. Usually, lyrics will come first and then the instrumentation. I like to write to other peoples’ music that matches my mood at the time.
OSR: If you could change one thing about Seahorse what would it be?
Jade: I would have liked to take my songs into a professional recording studio setting. I aim to do this when lockdown eases and re-record a Seahorse Deluxe edition which will include all the album tracks and some B-sides recorded to a less lofi standard.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your music?
Jade: I hope people listen to my lyrics as I always try to convey a strong message whether it be about not giving up or loss, to name a couple of examples.
OSR: Describe your sound in three words.
Jade: Acoustic folk rock.
OSR: What is your greatest musical achievement to date?
Jade: Playing Underground Festival 2012 at the Gloucester Guildhall was a blast! It was my first time amongst a line-up of acts I know and love and I found a lot of new artists there to follow.
OSR: Where do you hope to be in ten years?
Jade: I hope to be happy. Whether that’s playing to ten people in the local pub with a pooch and a merch table or selling out tours around the world. As long as I get to keep my sanity, the rest is a bonus.
OSR: What is your earliest memory?
Jade: Forgetting to tie my laces, running and falling on my face at the age of about 5 resulting in losing my two front teeth and a big cry.
OSR: Do you have future plans?
Jade: I plan to put out some more lofi singles which will include non-album B-sides. I will also be releasing some completely new material like my new song ‘Koi’. I like to post regular covers on my YouTube page as well to keep the brain ticking along.
Thanks to Robyn Jade for speaking with us. For more from Robyn Jade check out his Bandcamp and Instagram.
