HOLLEY HALL: What is your music background?
 
JASMINE TEA: I grew up with music filling my world. :) Both of my parents play instruments, and they always had music on. As

I grew up, when family members, like aunts and uncles, came to visit they often brought their instruments and we would jam, just for fun. Even just with my mom and dad and siblings we would jam for fun. I took piano lessons from the age of around 6 until -- I don't remember when -- but I don't play keys at all anymore. In school I learned to play the flute. When I was around 15 I asked my older brother to teach me to play guitar. He encouraged me to teach myself, so I did! Actually, though, he taught me a lot more than he realized, because much of what I learned I learned from watching him and playing along with him.

HOLLEY: Do you prefer to play music as a profession or a hobby?

JASMINE TEA: I do it because I love it and I can't imagine life without it. Life would be colorless without it.

HOLLEY: When and how did you first become interested in music? How long have you been playing music? What instruments do you play?

JASMINE TEA:I have always been interested in music. I don't remember a time when I wasn't. Music is an inseparable part of me. I LOVE to sing!! I started taking piano lessons when I was six. I started writing lyrics in elementary school. I started learning to play guitar at 15 years old and wrote my first song as soon as I could play 4 chords. I play guitar and flute now, and sing.

HOLLEY: Does anyone in your family play music?

JASMINE TEA: I think everyone in my family plays music. It is part of our lifestyle.

HOLLEY: What are your songs about?

JASMINE TEA:I try to write songs about real things that people go through in their lives. Loss, pain, love, disappointment, endings and beginnings... Often I write in metaphor because that is how I think. Often my metaphors relate to nature, it seems.

HOLLEY: Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.) Do you have any particular songs you consider your favorites?

JASMINE TEA:I do write my own songs. I always have songs going through my head, usually several at a time. I hear them usually both words and music together... often beginning with just one line. I latch on to that line and entertain it a bit, and more comes. Sometimes the song comes as a whole, but other time I will get fragments that I join together later. The process works much better if I don't force it, if I just let it come naturally. That is not to say that refining and editing isn't a part of the process, but at first I just let the song come to me, then I refine and shape it. I almost never decide to sit down and write a song. The songs just naturally dance through my head, and I follow. My current favorite song that I wrote is "Unforgettable," although my favorite changes from time to time.

HOLLEY: Who are your musical influences? 

JASMINE TEA:This is always a hard question for me, because I don't really sound like the music that I listen to. My mom and dad and older brother have been big musical influences for me, because playing and singing with them is what shaped me as a musician.

HOLLEY: What live performance experience have you had? 

JASMINE TEA: My older brother and I performed together for several years when we were in school, then my younger brother joined us on the bass guitar a few years later. We meshed together really well, and it was some of the best times of my life playing and singing with them and traveling a little. :) We don't perform together anymore, but occasionally we still play when we get together, and it is such fun when we do.

HOLLEY: What are your musical goals?

JASMINE TEA: I want to continue to grow as a musician and singer/songwriter. I want to get better at singing and writing songs. I want to increase my guitar skill. I hope to take guitar lessons when I finish school. I would also like to learn to play more instruments. I feel like I need to learn a lot more about production and recording, as well. My music suffers by my lack of knowledge and skill as a producer. Also, I have a goal of performing live again -- even if it is just some open mic
nights or something simple like that.

HOLLEY: Have you recorded any previous CDs or posted any audio files on the Internet? (What type of recording process did you use? Who produced your recording?)

JASMINE TEA:I haven't recorded any CDs. I do have audio files on the Internet. My first songs that I recorded were the first ones I put on EZfolk just one year ago. I use a MacBook with Garageband. I have Cubase now, but I don't know how to use it yet. I have a lot to learn! Since those first recordings a year ago I have added some other equipment as well, an external mic, and headphones, for example.

HOLLEY: Where do you have your music posted online?

JASMINE TEA: EZfolk, Mixposure, and IMW mostly.

HOLLEY: Any Music Videos? If so what are they about?

JASMINE TEA: I don't have any music videos, but I would like to try it sometime. :)

HOLLEY: Do you have CD’s/Audio files for sale? If so, where can they be purchased?

JASMINE TEA:I don't have any for sale. One of my collaborations is on a CD called "The Feather Project" which is a compilation project of Indie artists all over the world who came together to raise money for music in schools. As I understand it, the project has already exceeded it's goal! It is available online at  http://Kunaki.com/Sales.asp?PID=PX00ZMRCJP

HOLLEY: In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

JASMINE TEA: I grew up and also currently live in a rural, wooded area that is extremely seasonal. I think that is partially why I draw so many metaphors to nature and seasons. Also, I grew up in a culture where family is very important, and music was very important. Even dates would sometimes consist of playing guitars and singing together. Music was as much a part of
life as food! So, I feel like I can't live without music. I would starve. :)

HOLLEY: When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?

JASMINE TEA: I am always writing songs! I currently have many songs in various stages of writing. Some are just ideas, some are partially written and waiting for more, some are completely written but not recorded, some are roughly recorded, and I have been doing final recording this morning on a collaboration.  The more I write, the more that come to me to be written. I don't want to slow the ideas down, so I indulge them when they come to me. :)

HOLLEY: What inspires you to write music? How do you go about composing songs?

JASMINE TEA: Sometimes I am inspired by dreams I have. I dream a lot, and am interested and intrigued by dreams. Images from my dreams often are the beginnings of songs. I am inspired by experiences and emotions. Sometimes writing a song is the best way I can deal with something difficult that I am working through. I am inspired by other people who have a big impact on my
life -- my friends and family members. I am inspired by conversations I have with the people that I'm close to. Sometimes just a line of conversation will go through my head until it inspires lyrics. Often composing begins with ideas going through my head, often both words and music together, until I start playing with it and it turns into a song. It is my favorite thing to do. I just have to follow it and not force it to happen.

HOLLEY: Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener?

JASMINE TEA: My favorite music is very different from the music I do. I listen to Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom

Petty, The Black Keys, Pink Floyd -- blues and rock mostly.

HOLLEY:  Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?

JASMINE TEA: Maybe my all-time favorite song, at least right now, is Going to California, by Led Zeppelin.


HOLLEY: When is your next live performance?
JASMINE TEA: Soon, I hope. :)

HOLLEY: Do you have any advice/experience you would like to share with fellow artists you think would be helpful?

JASMINE TEA: Collaborate with each other. We can become better when we join our gifts together.

HOLLEY: I agree we can all learn from each other. Jas thanks again! it's been a pleasure!

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