Jade Bird Talks Through New Album, The Heartbreak Around It, And More

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Jade Bird talks to us about how she channeled her rage, heartbreak and more into her new album ‘Who Wants To Talk About Love’

Jade Bird first burst onto the scene with her explosive single ‘Uh Huh’ back in 2019. Since then Jade has moved to the states, released an two albums, and is now gearing up to release her third. An album that was born out of intense heartbreak, channeled into a record that sees Jade lay it all bare, an album that is quintessentially Jade Bird.

We take a deep dive with Jade where she unviels the trials and tribulations behind this record, the crash outs, catharism, and more.

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Kieran: How have things been? It’s been a bit of a mad one for you especially after just playing Glastonbury?!

Jade: Yeah. it’s been really good. I’m back in England for a week and then I go back to America and then I am back doing in store shows. It’s a super exciting time.

Kieran: How does it feel playing the UK after moving away?

Jade: Yeah, coming back and playing has like a warmth to it now. Playing Glastonbury was super emotional as you look out and there’s people still singing along to your music. It means that more people have stuck with me for this long you know? They still resonate with the music. It feels like coming home to be honest.

Kieran: How has it felt to play the new songs live?

Jade: Really cathartic, I think, because they’re all from such like I mean, pretty deep moments just in my life that I was actually felt probably at my most alone for when I was writing these songs. And then you come out the other side and im literaly playing them in real time while still processing the meaning behind them myself. For example, like the one ‘Wish You Well’ that finishes the album. It’s about me and my dad. We haven’t spoken in years. So when I play that song live it’s real time processing of like the forgiveness that I’m trying to get to in the song. Sometimes I’ll cry or have a reaction after playing these songs/ It’s because it truly is the most cathartic thing ever playing them.

Listen/watch ‘Nobody’ here:

Kieran: Yeah, right, And you’re doing it on a public forum as well, which must double those emotions?

Jade: Yeah, I think I’ve always been extremely blessed that the people who like my music are genuinely the warmest, kindest people. Like I can’t express that enough.So I do tend to get this feeling like I feel safe to be that open. I don’t think every artist is that lucky, so yeah, it’s pretty special.

Kieran: I think now more than ever audiences really resonate with the person on stage. There’s more than a two way connection with artists thanks to social media.

Jade: I think it’s interesting to explore because like you know, I follow a lot of artists who are bigger than myself. And I think sometimes I’ve noticed more now than ever, that boundary seems to be being almost crossed because I think people feel like they know that person so much more because of how much we spend on social media. I’m kind of fortunate in that aspect.I don’t think I’m, I’m big enough to ever feel unsafe for like that’s the case with myself. But it is kinda weird to watch that all happen in real time. And yeah, I’ve seen videos of Cairo and stuff and I’m just like, oh wow. You know, it is interesting where we’re at with fandom.

Kieran: I think there is an almost disconnect because we see celebrities or people on our screens so much that the barrier between fan and artist has been eroded. You can reach out and touch these people in a way never been done before, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should (laughs).

Jade: (laughs) yeah I am guilty of it myself too. I’ve walked into rooms and because im in the music industry I see a lot of famous artists. I’ve gone up to them and been like oh hey and then I’ll be like, shit I don’t think we’ve even met (laughs). You know, I’m being so over familiar because I’ve just seen this person so much and like maybe DM them.

Kieran: I actually had this at Green Man Festival last year where I saw a few actors from Game Of Thrones and I was so close to running over and saying hello. Thankfully my friend was like no, don’t do that, they’re here to have a good time and let go. But I was like, no but I love their character. I’ve seen them loads they’ll be chill with me. Completely delusional (laughs). If she wasn’t there, I would’ve, cause I would’ve been like, oh, yeah like, great, how’s it going, man? Like, how, how’s it going? And they were just been like, and they’re just like, fuck off (laughs).

Jade: I do think we’re all guilty of it but sometimes you do need that one person who’s like, yeah chill on that (laughs).

Kieran: Speaking on your new music actually, your new album ‘Who Wants To Talk About Love?’ is out very soon! How are you feeling about having an album that is so personal out there?

Jade: Yeah, I’m just really excited. I think it was like, I’ve been through so much in this past, like, four year period that I honestly never thought I would get to the end. I never thought I would actually have this album. It’s been so, it’s been so many progressions of it, so many iterations. I’m just super grateful and, like, really, I feel really confident.I feel like this is exactly how I wanna be represented, representing myself as an artist through my work. And if people connect with this, they really are connecting exactly with me, and who I am right now. I couldn’t, I couldn’t be more excited really for that.

“I’ve been through so much in this past, like, four year period that I honestly never thought I would get to the end“

Kieran: Apart from the singles that are already out what songs are you most excited for people to hear?

Jade: I’m really excited for ‘Glad You Did’. It’s this song that’s like super petty and a little bit bitter at times, but it with a like big sense of humour. It basically tracks the very in depth detail of me and my ex’s relationship and things that happened, um, including like you know, me not mailing him truck fines, you know, that were coming through my door. I just really like the sort of tongue in cheek. It reminds me of my early stuff. It just, it comes from that punchy, fiery part of me.

Kieran: Talking about the album it is probably your most personal vulnerable maybe that you’ve released so far. How was the writing and recording process for this? I imagine it must have been hard to sit own and be like right, I need to write about this heartbreaking experience. It’s a big thing right?

Jade: It was in real time. So the first two years of this record, I was in a bit of turmoil with trying to write how I was feeling but not really knowing because I was very claustrophobic in the relationship but didn’t have the strength to like get out when I should have, even though it was falling apart. So there are these songs, like dreams. I literally had a sort of, uh you know, they call it the modern, the modern day, uh, crash out. So I did have a big breakdown the night before and I had a really big session with Greg Kirsten because I haven’t found, I didn’t know who the producer was gonna be of this record.So I kinda woke up at have to have a two hour sleep, really broken human being. And like in the car to the session, I like, I’m like looking up, just desperately searching signs for inspiration. And there’s this one, very LA one, that’s like, you know, this is what dreams are made of. And I was like, the irony of this is sort of too, too profound to not get in there. And he starts playing the piano and I’m writing. And that’s the night after one of the worst nights of my life, quite literally. So I think it’s less that I’ve been reflecting that sort of probably came halfway through the, the latter two years when I’d met Andrew Wells who ended up producing the whole record. And, you know, ultimately, like we, we are working together now and yeah, it’s, it’s just been a journey, honestly, sorry, I feel like I’m going in circles, but it’s so hard to grasp four years.

Kieran: It’s a hell of a lot to go through and then you’ve got relive it all, it’s incredibly powerful. It must take a toll?

Jade: It’s not easy. It’s not, I think it’s, it’s more like, I think the thing I’m like, I look back on is just maybe have sympathy for myself or empathy for myself. I’m just a bit like, oh wow, I was really in a bit of a pressure cooker, be that self imposed or otherwise. That kinda makes it just bittersweet putting it out, you know?

Kieran: Yeah absolutely, yeah, it’s the victory lap almost, I guess.

Jade: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, finally happy vibes.

Kieran: Was anything done differently during the recording process of this album compared to previous releases?

Jade: Uh, well, it was a little bit closer to probably my debut record. My second record I did in Nashville and it was all cut live. So we kinda did 15 songs in 10 days or something ridiculous. I think obviously me and Andrew being so close enabled me to feel the most understood in production and the bravest I could possibly be to try things. Um, so, yeah, it is, it’s very different making a record with somebody who’s your best friend than it is, you know, otherwise.

Kieran: I Imagine that can be a double edged. swrd as well though. As you have probably have more trust with that person but that also brings more risk?

Jade: Yeah, you’re right. I think though having that, I think that’s ego. And I think it’s so important that as hard as it is, you can leave that somewhere else. I think all that essence of, like, if you do think someone hates you because they hate your idea, like that is a fragile ego. It’s hard to hear someone say they dislike an idea or even when you get a shit album review. I feel you have to leave as much of that behind as possible.

Kieran: Well, you want to make a record for you not a critic right?

Jade: Well, yeah I mean, that’s a whole different game. Feel I have always managed to do well as I write so quickly and fluidly during that creative process. It doesn’t allow people (critics) to get fixated and change their opinions and open the floor up. So I think I’m kinda good at letting that go. Yeah. When it’s done, it’s done, I’ll let it go. People have their opinions, whatever, I did the best I could do, you know?

Kieran: Sonically, did you take any influence from other artists? Or was there someone you were listening too at the time that you thought, I like what they’ve done there?

Jade: I think because it’s such a long period of time, it’s really hard for me to pinpoint. And I know it sounds crazy, but I sort of, I wanted to get the best version of myself on this record. And it maybe wouldn’t have made much sense to try and replicate anything. So I finally found like my sound in me. Um, but I was obviously a huge music fan and I was kinda, I remember Tom Petty, I really got into his music during the middle of this album but in the past I’d struggled to connect with it. Sometimes that happens, you know like an artist is like incredible, but you just personally don’t have that connection. And then I found ‘Wildflowers’ and that was a big one. I actually think I am finding more influences now that the record is finished. Inspiration is coming back for me and I am trying stuff that I am hearing.

Kieran: I agree, I think the new music sounds the most authentic yet. It sounds like Jade Bird.

Jade: I am so happy you’ve said that!

Kieran: I think in today’s world it is a really hard thing to do so it’s very impressive. Lastly, what else can we expect from you post release?

Jade: So I’m actually working on the album after this pretty swiftly into it. I actually intentionally left the angry songs off this record because I was kind of bored of being angry. I didn’t want this release to be about that. I think they will be released on the possible deluxe version of the album. So musically, you can expect that. And then, you know, record store tour and the whole nine yards basically!

Kieran: Well, that is all very exciting! Thank you so much for chatting with us!

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