The warm, white soundscapes of Jade The Moon’s latest single ‘The Tide’ takes you to moonlight soaked beaches, dancing on picnic blankets as the sky lightens to catch up with your mood. It’s pop, but not too cliché, it’s dance, but not too relentless, it’s alternative, but not too complex. It’s Jade The Moon once again belonging entirely to their own category.
‘The Tide’ is the second single from the Canadian band’s highly anticipated album: ‘11:11.’ After self-produced debut record ‘Habits and Hindrances,’ the trio have chosen to collaborate with an array of producer-writers, with the likes of Collin Monroe and Adam King. The influence of these artists can be felt in the sleek production and well-defined sound, which keeps the listener at an intimate distance as if Jade The Moon is the disk jockey in your living room.
‘The Tide’ dances somewhere between alt-pop and dance music: it’s drenched in pop synths, layered with a techno-dance beat and set with crystal vocals. Opening immediately with the first verse, ‘The Tide’ never slows down to allow you to catch your breath. It begins with cool electronics, before introducing a heavier bass line, cooling off for a moment at the bridge as the vocals take the front seat, and then soaring into a dynamic chorus which somehow combines all three elements.
Thematically, Jade The Moon opt for a journey of introspection, adding another edge to the already experimental sound. ‘The Tide’ joins the album in examining ‘the cycles of human nature.’ Jade The Moon draw from real-world inspiration to write songs that are unique and socially adventurous. Sometimes feel good, sometimes boasting darker, eerie edges, they’re leaving no inspiration untapped.
‘The Tide’ is your companion to every boat party, back garden cocktail club, and sunset walk this summer.
Jade The Moon Q&A with Ty Bennett
You’ve described your sound as ‘alt-pop.’ If you had to use three other adjectives to describe your sound – what would they be?
Energetic
Honest
Adventurous
How does the new record, 11:11, differ musically from 2015 debut album ‘Habits and Hinderance’?
If we are being honest, not much has changed other than that we have all grown as songwriters between records. We can hardly wait to get back in the studio and we have only released 2 songs from 11:11. We love the studio and creative process.
Your lyrics are frequently socially conscious, writing about things like social acceptance, letting go, human nature and insecurity. Are these messages something you’re particularly keen to communicate?
We’ve never set an agenda for the topics in the writing room. These are just things we end up talking about and end up finding their way into the music. Art mirrors life and hopefully finds its way back into the lives of the audience.
You said your songs are based on ‘real human experience.’ Can you give us an example? Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Polaroids And Airplanes, the 3rd single from 11:11, was written about early memories and more specifically a childhood memory of drummer Jeremy Morgan. “I remember standing watching the jets take off from Pearson International in Toronto. I was always thrilled to watch the miracle of flight in action and these were some of my favourite memories growing up with my Dad. We would take Polaroid photos of the enormous Jets flying over-head.” That was the initial inspiration for the track.
What’s your favourite song from the new album and why?
Each of us has a favourite.
Dani – Polaroids And Airplanes – this song set the tone for the whole record and was one of the first Tracks we wrote with producer/writer Colin Munroe.
Jeremy – Awkward – this track is infectious. Just all around feels good-it’s simplicity is what gets me I think.
Benjamin – Fall For This – I think this song took a lot of courage to write. We were really into some personal experiences on this one and it feels so intense live.
‘Habits and Hindrances’ was a self-produced album, but ’11:11’ is a series of collaboration with other producer-songwriters. How have the creative processes differed? Do you have a preference?
The best part of our latest record is that there was always a mediator there to keep us on track and focus us on the strongest idea. We really feel that we’ve been able to support the songwriting with sonic choices that strengthen the content and intent of the lyric. Collaborating can be difficult but with the right people in the room, it’s definitely preferred at this point in our careers.
Who are a few artists currently on your playlists?
Newish stuff
Old Halsey – Room 93 still so dope
Wens – up and comer from LA
Allie X
Grandson
The Neighbourhood
Older stuff like…
Blondie
Fleetwood Mac
Hall and Oats
Also some friends of ours you should check out @iamhill @_alexandervincent
What have you been doing in the two years since the last album?
We have all been working on songs and in the studio developing the craft of writing. Outside of that, we all have very active musical lives playing/recording/writing in many different projects.
You’ve said that your songs come from ‘very different places.’ Can you describe your writing process? How do you go about writing and laying down a tune?
Most times songs come from unexpected places and experiences, perhaps something odd that happened on the way to the studio that day or even a voice note recorded while travelling inspired by new sights and sounds.
What is the live show going to look like?
At this point, we have played a healthy number of shows. The band boasts quite a dynamic performance ranging from ballads featuring Dani singing softly and accompanying herself on the piano to a fully developed rawkus indie-alt fury of sounds. Moog synthesizer, drums, dreamy electric guitars reminiscent of Radio Head, Sonic Youth, MGMT. In an ideal world, we are sharing festival stages with acts like Tov Lo and up and comer Grandson.
You’re premiering a short film based around the album at the Toronto Film Festival this year, which is an ambitious and exciting adventure. How did it come about? Can you tell us more about the short?
Without spoiling the surprise it’s sort of a Twilight Zone/Black Mirror type vibe. We aren’t in it at all. The protagonist is running against the clock to get to an unexplained event in a strange hotel room. You’ll have to watch to get the full experience.
If you could work with/collab with three artists – alive or deceased- who would they be?
We would love to make a record with Justin Meldau Johnson (BECK, m83,NIN, Paramore)
Co-writing with Mikkey Ekko would be amazing.
Last but not least Doc McKinney is a fellow Torontonian we would love to work with. His work with, The Weeknd and so many others is undeniably some of the most adventurous modern production.
You can stream ‘The Tide’ here.
