June 28, 2024 |
Singer-songwriter Jayden Hassler, aka Jxdn – best known for his single ‘Angels and Demons’ which was released in 2021 – is renowned for the grungy soundscapes he creates. The fiery nature and intensity of his vocals evoke vivid emotions in anyone who listens, especially when close attention is paid to his impressive lyricism.
Now, following the release of his acclaimed album When The Music Stops, which explores his struggle after losing his best friend to an overdose in 2022 and goes into detail about how he has put his previously hedonistic lifestyle behind him to focus on his music, the Texan native is gearing up to go on tour. Calling it ‘When The Music Stops’, also the title of the album, shows are set to kick off in July in SummerFest, Milwaukee, US and will come to a close on October 9 with a final show in Dublin.
As JXDN enters a new era of his life, he puts things into a better perspective for himself. What matters to him most? Storytelling, and making sure that his music reaches the people who need it the most. Staying true to this, $1USD from every ticket sold will go towards supporting The Coop’s Advice Foundation – a non-profit organisation founded after the passing of his friend, Cooper Noriega, which aims to “help society understand and address mental health and addiction”, especially amongst younger generations.
Here, we sit down with JXDN to learn more about his journey of self-discovery and healing, the message he wants to send with his music, and of course, the upcoming tour.
1. Which song has the most meaning for you personally on your When The Music Stops album?
The title track, ‘When The Music Stops’. It was the last song I made and the first song I put out. It reminds me why I put out music. It’s not about the streams, it’s about the art.
2. You’ve mentioned you were coping with the loss of a friend in 2022. What advice do you have for anyone going through a similar experience?
When the love goes away, remember why it was there in the first place. Today may suck, but tomorrow could get better.
3. Describe your sound in three words.
Bigger than music.
4. You have mentioned that you grew up in the South, are there any Southern artists that shaped your sound?
Growing up I didn’t listen to much music. Especially country music. But artists today like Jelly Roll, who writes about real stuff and real pain, give me hope.
5. If you were stranded on a desert island with a record player but could only bring one album, what vinyl would you want to be stuck with?
The Strokes – ‘Is This It’.
6. If you could collaborate with any artist in the future, dead or alive, who would it be?
Julian Casablancas, lead singer of The Strokes.
7. What city you are especially excited about visiting on your tour?
I haven’t toured Europe before so I’m genuinely excited to see and experience all of them. The people, the places, the food, all of it.
8. Is there any creative space in particular that helps you write your music?
If I can eat, drink and laugh with people – that’s the place I want to make music. Any environment where I feel a real connection. Right now, I’ve been creating a lot in my home studio.
9. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Probably invisibility, so every time I fuck up, I could disappear.
10. What does the rest of this year hold for you?
It’s the beginning of the rest of my life.
Photography by Harry Toohey.
