Jasmine Chadwick

Jasmine Chadwick Makes You Comfortable With Her Music Styles

By Paula Edelstein

The Canadian born vocalist demonstrates a breadth and depth of singing and songwriting unrivaled by her peers on her debut release titled THIS IS WHO I AM.

This self-produced recording features Chadwick singing her original songs in a beautiful voice that is reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and sometimes Stevie Nicks and Carol King in their heydays. Chadwick’s passionate material and singing style is clearly addictive and entices you to listen to her far above the level of average folk/rock performances. The first five songs were produced, written and arranged by Jasmine Chadwick and the sixth is a bonus track remake of Al Green’s classic “Let’s Stay Together,” featuring Lova Boy.

About the Songs on This Is Who I Am

The program opens with “Going Back to California” a love ballad with richness in its sound that remains faithful to the traditional folk elements yet also seeks new ground with the dubbing of Chadwick’s background vocals. Shane Fontayne and Mike Farrell add their complimentary musical visions on guitars and synths to Jasmine’s haunting vocals. Together they make this song about leaving the one you love behind a real tug at anyone’s heartstrings.

“Weakness” is a bluesy ballad that surpasses the longing and blues inherent in the opening song. Chadwick’s Stevie Nicks-like folk/rock vocals are strong and reach out to the listener with an emotional connection that is sure to bind you to her for a long time. Excellent production values, guitar solos by Shane Fontayne and Brett Boyett and drumming by Blair Sinta, really bring this song to hit status and one deserving more airplay.

Shane Fontayne’s great rock guitar licks open “The Best Is Yet to Come” before Chadwick offers her special lyrics and mesmerizing vocals. An expressive country/blues influence comes through in a newly re-imagined way that is sure to have you totally enamored with Jasmine Chadwick. Additional props are in order for bass player Sean Hurley who holds down the rhythm logic and beat with exceptional ease.

“Breakfast at Noon,” is absolutely beautiful and features Chadwick’s lovely vocal range in a higher octave while the title song offers her stylistic vocals in fully engaged lower octaves. She discovers the possibilities of her voice with beauty and skill and pursues her personal passions, resources and musicality with abundant and unique explorations from her core group.

Joined by a great ensemble, Jasmine Chadwick makes her debut recording one to remember. She even offers a rousing remake of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” as a bonus track that immediately makes you feel good. Featuring Lova Boy, this bangin’ track has a bumpin’ beat that will have you on the dance floor sporting your youthful swagger! THIS IS WHO I AM is a great album and one that should be in your collection.

About Jasmine Chadwick
Born with a passion to sing and express herself, Jasmine Chadwick was raised in a musical family on an island in rural Canada and began performing when she was a young girl. The first stage Jasmine performed on was the rocky bluff side by her family home where she would sing for the dock workers in the harbor below on their lunch hours.

Jasmine formed a band, recorded demos and played around the Vancouver, BC area before packing her bags and acoustic guitar and heading for the City of Angels to pursue her dream. In Los Angeles, California, Jasmine performed at coffeehouses and open mic nights. She began collaborating with GRAMMY nominated songwriter Jan Buckingham and sought out musicians who helped her grow musically. Performances at top venues such as The Viper Room, House of Blues and The Whiskey soon followed.

Upon the release of THIS IS WHO I AM, Jasmine was chosen to open for multi-platinum GRAMMY Award-winner Sarah McLachlan on the 2010 Lilith Tour. As winner of the Los Angeles Rock City “Best Folk Rock Artist” award, Jasmine’s music is inspired by such confessional singers as Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and Alanis Morissette.

For more information about Jasmine Chadwick, log on to her website at www.jasminechadwick.com.



- Paula Edelstein

Portraits and Passion with Jasmine Chadwick by Reg Seeton

Jasmine Chadwick has been riding a wave of musical momentum ever since the 2010 release of her debut solo CD, This Is Who I Am. One of the most talked about singer-songwriters in Los Angeles after winning L.A. Rock City's "Best Folk-Rock Artist," Chadwick has steadily turned heads with the sincere sound of This Is Who I Am, which quickly caught the attention of Grammy award winning artist Sarah McLachlan who immediately booked Jasmine as the opener for the 2010 Lilith Tour in Las Vegas. For McLachlan and the Lilith Tour, Chadwick was a perfect match given the raw talent of the 2010 line-up.

Sharing the Lilth Tour stage with such talented female artists as The Bangles, Miranda Lambert, Alison Sudol, and Sarah McLachlan, Jasmine Chadwick saw her star soar even more when several top U.S. publications lauded Chadwick for her Lilith performance and debut songs on This Is Who I Am. An autobiographical portrait of her own life experiences and honest view of the world, This Is Who I Am is the passionate Folk-Rock result of a production collaboration with some of the music industry's top names.

For her debut, Chadwick laid the best possible studio foundation after working with highly sought after recording engineer Bill Malina (Alanis Morissette, Christina Aguilera), guitarist Shane Fontayne (Bruce Springsteen, Sting), drummer Blair Sinta (Anniie Lennox, Melissa Etheridge), bassist Sean Hurley (Colbie Caillat, John Mayer), keyboardist Mike Farrell (Vanessa Carlton, Macy Gray) and five time Grammy winning mixer Manny Marroquin (Alicia Keys, Katy Perry). Also working with Grammy nominee Dave Kutch for the mastering of the album, it's an elite musical production line-up that only the most talented artists can lure.

As Jasmine Chadwick continues her upward musical trajectory while gaining new fans around the world, TheDeadbolt recently went one-on-one with the small town Canadian girl turned L.A. artist to learn more about the honesty of her music, her life in song, her time on the Lilith Tour with Sarah McLachlan, her creative process, and what Jasmine Chadwick has planned for the future.

THE DEADBOLT: After the release of This Who I Am, how has it been therapeutic for you to be so honest with yourself through your music?

JASMINE CHADWICK: It's funny how we call it “releasing” a record, because that is essentially what I did emotionally and that was the hardest part. I was holding onto all these experiences and observations and I had to find a way to translate them into words and music. It was very difficult. It’s hard to look at all the good and bad things and embrace them equally as experiences, but that’s what I did. Ultimately it was a very therapeutic process and the greatest reward for me is when I get to see how my songs connect with fans around the world and perhaps become therapeutic for them as well.

THE DEADBOLT: Now being on your own in L.A., away from family and far from home like in your song "The Best Is Yet to Come," is there a certain vulnerability that you need to embrace that allows you to become a better songwriter?

CHADWICK: Making the decision to pursue my dream and step away from my family, my friends and my home was the most difficult decision of my life. I’ve learned a great deal about myself through this journey and those experiences have made me a better songwriter. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to go out in the world and have all these experiences and at the end of the day to know that I have this place that will always be "home" no matter what. I find that this kind of unconditional love from my family and friends gives me great strength.

THE DEADBOLT: How hard was it to be so autobiographical with the songs for your debut?

CHADWICK: Subconsciously, I think I set a standard for myself long ago as far as being autobiographical through my songs. It is something I feel very comfortable with and feels natural, so it was not difficult to share my stories through the songs in the ways in which I did.

THE DEADBOLT: Who are your favorite singer-songwriters?

CHADWICK: It is a long list. Some of my favorite singer-songwriters are Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Carol King, Stevie Nicks, Karla Bonoff, Kate Wolf, James Taylor, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. I also listen to everyone from Seals & Crofts, Tom Petty, and Dolly Parton to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Elton John. Of course Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morisette, Sheryl Crow, and Jewel. I could keep going but that list is already too long.

THE DEADBOLT: What new artists do you like today?

CHADWICK: I have enjoyed and been inspired by Brandi Carlile, Adele, Sia, Mummford & Sons, and Florence and the Machine. I also like Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Bon Iver, Drake, and James Morrison. Neko Case, Tori Amos and certainly Chan Marshall (Cat Power) have moved me as well.

THE DEADBOLT: Now that This Is Who I Am is out to the public, how hav - Reg Seeton