Jinja - Dream House FM (EP) + 10 Questions

Emerging singer songwriter Jinja has unveiled her debut EP ‘Dream House FM’, transporting listeners to her imaginary radio station which features new single ‘Now You’re Gone’.

Based in South London, Jinja blends soul, jazz and R&B with a raw and nostalgic feel. It was an Ella Fitzgerald record gifted to her by her primary school teacher that ignited her passion for soul music, while the likes of Frank Ocean, SZA and Loyle Carner feed her love of emotive storytelling. This combination of old and new sounds oozes through her debut EP ‘Dream House FM’, which finds Jinja play radio host, interviewee and featured artist across five tracks of soulful escapism.

Created to curb the loneliness of spending her first year of university in lockdown, the project bounces from love songs that drip with summer sun, to darker themes which reflect feelings of isolation and loss. ‘A Song To Kiss To’ introduces the “smooth radio” station with a brooding yet whimsical number, before a touching interlude follows, named ‘An Old Conversation with Mum’. This features an old cassette tape recording of Jinja’s late mother when she was only 12 years old and pretending to be a radio host, which has been manipulated into an interview with Jinja on ‘Dream House FM’. It’s a heart-warming tribute that cleverly weaves together Jinja’s past and present.

The EP continues with ‘Boy Next Door’, a poignant ode to the boy in the next room of her university halls, before ‘Now You’re Gone’ celebrates the joy in new beginnings. Jinja’s smooth vocals never falter throughout the project, which closes out with ‘Speak Up’ featuring Ose. Dedicated to her close friends, Jinja implores them to quite literally ‘Speak Up’ about their real emotions, as the singer cracks down on the fragility of toxic masculinity. Then, as she signs off from ‘Dream House FM’, Jinja leaves behind a moving debut EP which has soul right at its heart.

Jinja sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

To be honest, there was no big moment, I was just always doing it. I was a shy kid but had a loud voice and just wanted to make noise all the time. Music was the most natural thing in the world. I think what pushed me to do it full time is when you had those career advisors at school, and they would say “What do you want to do with your life?” I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. So I was like right, I had better get writing my own stuff and get out there.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

So many artists, but it is their lyrics that influence me most really. Anyone from SZA to Carole King, Lauryn Hill, even Paul Simon to Florence and the Machine or the Beatles. I just love rich song writing really. Songs you can sink your teeth into. Other artists wise, I know I am really lucky to be know and be friends with some incredible musicians and songwriters who I have been working with. But as for people in the public sphere, I think it would be cool to co-write a song with Arlo Parks. She has an amazing poetic approach to her tunes, and I had always thought I would love to compare processes.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

I have just released my debut EP, ‘Dream House FM’. I made it in a student hall in lockdown, and it is an imaginary world I created to escape to in a really rough time. It is a concept EP and is structured in the way of an old soul radio show. Think a lot of sampling and 808s and a lot of lyrics. It was an incredible writing experience and I hope people listen to it and just drift away.

4. How would you describe your sound?

Somewhere between soul, modern RnB and pop. You can cry to my songs but also bop your head to them as well.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

The release of this EP is huge to me really. But what I am more excited for is the live show I have coming up for it too. Making a record which is so heavily produced into a live show is a challenge, but we have plans to bring live strings in. I think that night will be a huge moment for me. End of November. It is going to be big. My socials will have the details.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

I am still figuring it out too and I think everyone in the industry is as well. I do think though, just try your hardest to stay in your lane and not compare yourself to other people. Easier said than done, but your journey is never going to be the same as anyone else’s and it is definitely not a straight road from A to B. Just get your head down and do your thing.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Yes. Listen to Prima Queen. All girl band who started gigging in my area of South East London and are doing bits right now. I think they have just started their UK tour.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Currently, I have been listening to Cleo Sol’s 2021 album ‘Mother’. The track called ‘23’ is one of the best songs I have heard in a long time and brings me to tears. When I was writing the EP though, I was listening to Billie Holiday’s album, ‘Lady in Satin’. I think it was the last album she released, and she was on her knees when she recorded it. It is soul wrenching album.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Hm, I like to be busy, and always try to be doing something. I have a bit of a travel bug and went to Japan for three months earlier this year. I was studying musicology out there. It was a very rich experience. And then I was in Vietnam after that.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Ah gosh. Three things, hmmm. Big pad of paper, sharpies – counting that as one, trackies and my phone. I hate the fact I have my phone on there, but I jot down a lot of notes in my notes folder wherever I am and digging through old thoughts is a big help if I am stuck for ideas.