Jessica Wilde Talks New Music, Musical Influences And More

Singer, songwriter, rapper and producer Jessica Wilde has released her highly anticipated, soul touching, empowering and thought- provoking sophomore album ‘Teach Me How To Love’. She sat down with JLTT to tell us about her new music: 

When did you begin songwriting and recording music?

I began from really young, I loved singing right from when I can remember. My mum is a jazz singer and a wilddd performer with a lot of soul and sass, I use to watch her perform a lot and always feel so inspired.

Your new single ‘Here Right Now’ is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

‘Here Right Now’ is a song for the times, in an age of everyone glued to their screens, missing the beauty of life all around, I want this song to wake and shake us up, to bring us back to the now! Inspired by a tube ride where I wanted to catch eyes with a cute guy across the carriage but “he’s too busy looking at devices, missed my eyes when they were telling they liked him”, to then provoking me to write on the current state of the world, greedy politicians who have lost touch with reality, consumerism and a hustle mentality that has us chasing material gains, only to feed the ego and leave the soul empty, whilst we miss the true joys of life that only exist in the present moment. I want this song to be a reminder for us all, including me, to come back to the… ‘Here right nowwww’.

Where did you record the single and who produced it?

I recorded this track at a studio in Brixton, my local area, with a producer called Tom Maine who produced the entire album with me. It was funny we weren’t expecting to write this track that day at as we were meant to have another artist coming in, but they had postpone last minute. So me and Tom decided to crack and this track just floweddd. I love it when songs just flow with ease… So I guess it was all meant too be!

Who created/designed the single artwork?

I wanted the artwork to have a rawness to it that felt personal and in your face. So we used fish eye for the picture and an amazing artist called Sirius did his thing over the top to give it a graffiti feel.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

I love congas, djembe and saxophone!! Also luscious layer of vocals form backing singers..

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My home town is London, Brixton, Clapham – Vibes, buzzing, gritty, community, home.

Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?

Yes my album launch is on the 17th July at Lower Third. Then I have a lineup of festivals Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Medicine Festival, Camp Wildfire and Soultown opening for Earth Wind and Fire, which is super exciting.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I loved reading Hunger Games and I could imagine some really epic songs for that! Also I run a platform called ‘PxSSY PWR’ and I feel like I could really channel that energy into the music for this as its very female led..

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

My mum is a big one… Lauryn Hill, Eyka Badu, Eminem (But in the 90’s / early 00’s), My Dynamite, The Streets, Nina Simone, Sault.

How do you look after your voice?

Rest, steaming, herbal teas like ginger and honey, eating healthy, getting good sleep and warming up and warming down are very very important.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2024?

Yes ‘Here Right Now’ is part of my album ‘Teach Me How To Love’ landing 13.6.

What makes Jessica Wilde happy and what makes you unhappy?

Things that make me happy – singing, writing and performing of course! Also being in nature, travelling adventures, being with friends who make me belly laugh, dancing, kissing, listening to live music that lights my soul.

Things that make me unhappy – The News, negative vibesss, I tend to stay away from those.