FEATURE: Spotlight: Cathy Jain — Music Musings & Such

FEATURE:

Spotlight

Cathy Jain

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THIS is a rare case…

where I am spotlighting a new artists and there are very few images to include here. Though Cathy Jain is just starting out, one hopes that she organises some professional shoots and gets a lot more images out there. At the moment, it is a bit sketchy and sparse to say the least! No matter. I wanted to highlight her, as she is a very promising artist. Still in her teens, the music she is making right now sounds so assured and confident – like she has been on the scene years and is following up on previous albums. Before coming to some interviews, I think it is worth providing some biography:

“At just 17 years old, Cathy Jain has been described in the music press as a “prodigious young talent” and “an artist destined for incredible things”. In their June 2021 “Radar” feature, NME described her as “the coolest kid you know”.

Born in Salford but brought up in China and Australia before returning to the UK 4 years ago, her music also reflects her international experience. She has been writing and recording from her home in Cheshire in collaboration with producers in such exotic and far-flung places as Goa, Montreal, Paris and Guildford.

Cathy’s first release “cool kid” (Yala! Records) shows that she already possesses the voice and song craft of an artist on the cusp of a global breakthrough. It’s a hazy, sun-kissed daydream of R&B-tinged alt-pop that showcases her unique sound while echoing the modernist pop of Billie Eilish, the production flair of Frank Ocean’s more soothing moments, and Lana Del Rey’s nostalgia for the recent past.

“cool kid” was the BBC Introducing Single of the Week from June 18th receiving plays from internationally renowned DJs across BBC Radio 1. It was Clash Magazine’s Track of the Day and was placed on many high-profile streaming playlists including Spotify’s New Music Friday, NME’s Best New Tracks and Apple Music’s Alt Pop Playlist.

Cathy was in the top 5 out of more than 10,000 entries in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge talent search and performed an amazing and exceptionally well-received set on the Lavish Lounge stage at the Latitude Music Festival in Suffolk. Performances at London’s Gold Dust and for the Close Encounters Club at Latitude have seen Cathy Jain become one of the most talked about up-and-coming artists of 2021.

Cathy’s skilled songwriting deftly captures the insecurities and uncertainties that people of her age feel, while simultaneously celebrating the feelings of confidence and hope that come as they learn more about who they are. Her observations of how people behave toward each other and how they see themselves in their private moments are expressed with authenticity, passion and tenderness, all the while retaining an uber-cool, chill vibe that will have you entranced from the first note”.

PHOTO CREDIT: Cathy Jain

I am going to keep it relatively short and mention two particular interviews. Earlier in the year, NME spoke with Cathy Jain about her excellent debut single, cool kid:

“The influence and support from her family is major. Jain might be working with producers in Goa and London, but her mum remains her best and harshest critic. “She will tell me straight if I don’t sing something right, but that also means that when she genuinely likes a song it’s such a relief!” Their close relationship also means that when things get personal for Jain in her lyrics – like on ‘Cool Kid’ – her mum will already know what really rings true. “I share everything with her every single day, so having someone who understands me both as a person and an artist feels so important.”

Jain’s circle is soon going to get a little bit bigger though, with her first major gig coming up next month in London. Right now, the biggest task is putting together a band – after reluctantly singing in one that exclusively played ‘70s dad rock at school – ahead of the big performance.

But with such widescreen determination, Jain is already thinking much further ahead than that. “I have so much content I feel almost a sense of urgency to get it out there, but I’m trying to learn not to rush things.” How much content? Five whole albums full, if you were wondering. “It’s constant!” she laughs. At just 17, Cathy Jain is still trying to navigate the push and pull of dreaming big and savouring each moment. Knowing when to fight hard like all of the other cool kids, and when to just sit and enjoy the warm summer breeze”.

I would suggest that you go and follow Cathy Jain (the links are at the bottom of this feature). There is an E.P. coming next month, Artificial. I am really looking forward to seeing what she offers. A fresh and engaging talent in a sea of competition, many people are going to train their eyes her way in November. Back in August, DIY asked Cathy Jain about her influences and earliest musical memories:

“Following the release of dreamy debut single ‘cool kid’, the 17-year-old YALA! Records signee has now unveiled R&B-tinged alt-pop track ‘artificial’, the title track of her upcoming debut EP due on 5th November.

“In a word my “artificial EP” is about authenticity.” explains Cathy Jain. “Together, the four tracks take a look at how we define what is really “real” when we spend so much of our time either in our own heads or in a virtual world online.

“With each song on the EP, I’ve tried to create a snapshot of a few moments in someone’s life where they are thinking about this. I think that people (especially those my age) stress a lot about their image and how their life and feelings match up to what other people expect of them, but these songs have a more light-hearted, observational, and kind of reassuring style.

“So, in the title track ‘artificial’, I’m picturing someone who feels like their life lacks authenticity but realises that their imagination and virtual life are all part of what makes up who they are”.

What’s your earliest musical memory?

My earliest musical memory would probably be me dancing to the Shrek soundtrack. The Shrek movies are actual masterpieces and the soundtrack does not disappoint. I also remember being obsessed with Beauty and the Beast so I’d often combine my two favourite songs and sing: “Beauty and the Shrekkkkk” which for some reason I found unbelievably funny.
I don’t actually remember this but as I was being born, the song Pink Moon by Nick Drake was playing in the background. So technically my first ever exposure to music would be Nick Drake who I still listen to and love now.

Who were some artists that inspired you when you were just starting out (and why)?

I know I talk about her way too much and I’m one of maaany artists who are inspired by her but, Taylor Swift. I remember watching her live shows in my bedroom as a little girl and flipping my hair frantically back and forth to match her energy. Her stage presence, confidence, relatability and emotional lyrics instantly had me falling in love. Despite our musical differences I feel like a lot of my own storytelling is inspired by Taylor and as she releases new music like Folklore and Evermore I find myself evolving as an artist with her.
When I was little, my parents would always be playing music in the house so there was constant excitement and noise. The music ranged from Michael Jackson to ABBA to Bollywood music, so there was a huge variety of artists I grew up listening to. I specifically remember listening to Dragostea Din Tei (aka Numa Numa) by Moldovan Eurodance group O-Zone which I’d have on repeat 24/7.

You’re from Cheshire, What do you think of the music scene there at the moment?

I live near Nantwich which is a small town in South Cheshire so obviously you can't compare it to Manchester & Liverpool (about an hour away), but for a small place the music scene is great. The local community radio station (The Cat 107.9) is very supportive of local artists and I’ve performed at their events with some really cool local acts like Oli Ng, Callum Wright and Megan Lee. The Nantwich Words & Music Festival runs every October and always brings some great headliners and support acts into the area.

If people could take away one thing from your music, what would it be?

Not to worry so much about stuff and try to take it easy. We’re all a bit insecure and often we think everyone else has got it all figured out. I hope that when you listen to my music you can realise that everyone’s a bit lost most of the time”.

It is early days, though it does seem that Cathy Jain is going to be someone we are hearing from years from now. She is an amazing talent who everyone should spend some time with. I was hooked when I heard cool kid. One feels, as she gets older and more experienced, the music is going to get even better. That is tantalising considering how good she is now! Get involved with Cathy Jain ahead of the release of…