1. Hi Jasmine! Please introduce yourself to those who might not know you. 
I’m a singer-songwriter, pop artist, violinist, and music producer originally born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, now based in Los Angeles. My first single, “Breaking Things,” won “Song of the Year” in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition in 2018, and I released my debut album, *Symptoms,* in November 2019. I made my first Billboard appearance, hitting #28 on the Dance Club charts with my single, “Chess Game,” from that album. My songs have received several accolades in the California Music Video Awards and International Song Competitions and have been featured on MTV as well as in Hollywood movies, including the new Lionsgate film *Running on Empty* this year. Songs are the symptoms of my life!
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2. How did your connection with Shira and Gritty In Pink come about? 
During COVID, my booking agent introduced me to Gritty In Pink for some online live stream performances, and I loved everything GIP stood for in music, especially championing women in the industry! I had an all-girl band at the time, so it was the perfect community to be part of and connect with. Once everything opened up again, Shira started hosting more live performances at different venues, bringing together the community. Many of my peers were involved in the events too, and it quickly became like a musical family.
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3. What's it like to be a part of the effort to create a supportive community for a set of diverse women in the music industry?
It’s such a great cause and one I take immense pride in as a woman in this industry—not only as a musician but also as a producer and engineer. I love that we’re bringing awareness and empowering other women to pursue jobs and careers in this field, helping each other connect to an incredible network of resources and talent. I’ve even found a few of my band members through GIP and landed some amazing gigs through INPINK!
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4. When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music? Was there a specific person or influence that made you recognize being an entertainer was your dream?
I played music all my life, but it wasn’t until I started acting and singing in local theater during high school that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in music. I caught the theater bug and initially wanted to move to New York to pursue a career on Broadway. My plans changed when I began recording in a local studio and writing songs, shifting my focus to mastering the craft of songwriting and learning music production. At the time, I was inspired by artists like Jewel and Lady Gaga. Eventually, I moved from Hawaii to Los Angeles, where I could meet and connect with the people who could help me advance my career.
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5.  What inspired the concept behind your latest single "Tightrope," and how does it reflect your personal or artistic journey? Can we expect a project in the near future? 
“Tightrope” started as a poem I jotted down at the gym one day. The lyrics came out in one stream of thought, and I barely changed them in the final version of the song. It was inspired by how I was feeling at the time—balancing my relationship with myself, my career, my love life, and grappling with past traumas. As performers, we sometimes get caught up in pleasing others for the sake of the show, and this can become a metaphor for how we handle our personal lives as well. From a young age, I’ve felt pressure to sacrifice for my art, even at the expense of my own heart and happiness.

The song became a reminder to myself, especially after finding myself in a compromised position for so long, that only I have the power to step off the ‘tightrope’—to choose self-care. It’s a very personal song to me, and I’m especially proud of the production. When creating the music, I imagined it would feel and sound like a circus, and the song naturally revealed what it wanted to become. I hope “Tightrope” empowers others who may be going through something similar.
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6. You’re a powerhouse vocalist. Who are your biggest influences in terms of vocal style, and how have they shaped your own approach to singing?
I originally taught myself to sing by listening to Broadway musicals and imitating Broadway stars. Later, when I began writing my own songs, I got deeply into pop music and vocal production. Growing up, I was exposed to a wide range of classic, iconic artists thanks to my parents—from Stevie Nicks, ABBA, and The Beatles to Alanis Morissette and Jewel. Jewel is probably my biggest influence as a songwriter and singer from when I first started writing; she’s my original hero!

I’ve also been influenced by modern artists like Lady Gaga, Sia, Adele, Christina Aguilera, and Ariana Grande, especially since I’ve been recording a lot of covers recently with Magic Records. You learn so much by studying other artists' vocal styles and production, then recreating it in your own way. This experience has definitely shaped how I sing, harmonize, and produce my own songs.
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7.  You're a Renaissance woman when it comes to instruments – you play violin, piano, guitar. What was the first instrument you learned to play, and how has learning to play shaped your musical and songwriting journey?
Violin was my first instrument; I started learning at age three. It’s not really an instrument you can accompany yourself with as a singer, but it requires so much control and precision—especially with intonation—that it feels very similar to a voice. Learning violin at such a young age shaped me as a musician and singer, especially because being in an orchestra teaches you so much about harmonies that they become second nature. Violin is my first love and my “other” voice.

When I began writing songs, I realized I needed an instrument to accompany myself, so I learned guitar (initially inspired by Jewel) and piano (my dad was an accomplished pianist too). Music has always been around me, and it runs in my family!

8. Where do you find most of your inspiration for writing—personal experiences, books, movies, other music?
Songs are the symptoms of my life. I’d say most of my songs are influenced by my own personal experiences and feelings that I need to get out, usually starting with poems or titles I write down that get shaped into melodies. They are also inspired by the stories of the people in my life and their perspectives - or an emotion in time and space I want to capture with the lyrics. Music is therapy!
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9. Do you follow a particular routine or ritual to get into the songwriting mindset?
As a songwriter, it’s important to practice your craft like any instrument or discipline. To get in the flow, you need to sit down and start an idea rather than waiting for inspiration to strike. As an artist you’re a vessel for the muse to come through and so you need to be present and create a time and space for that to happen. My personal process is to write down lyrics or poems as a feeling comes to me and when I want to write the music, I look at the poems in my notes and see if the vibe fits and how the words will sing. It’s easier for me to do it this way so I can always capture an authentic feeling or experience within my songs.
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10. How would you describe your music to a first time listener? 
Catchy smart pop with empowering themes and lyrical concepts framed by an eclectic blend of various genres including strong singer-songwriter roots, rock, folk, funk, R&B, dance and even a little island influence.
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11. If your life were a movie, what would the title be, and who would play you?
‘Butterfly Effect’ or ‘Parallel Universe’ starring Jennifer Lawrence. Haha! ‘Butterfly Effect’ is one of my songs and upcoming album titles written about a single point in time I can trace back to in my life that seemed so insignificant at the time - but altered and changed the course of my entire life from that point on - almost as if I had entered a parallel universe. The story is still unfolding…
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12. If you could pick any album to be the soundtrack of your life, which one would it be and why?
That’s such a tough one, haha. The original soundtrack to ‘Les Miserables’ was what first inspired me to sing at age 5 and symbolizes the beginning of my musical journey as a singer. Jewel’s album ‘Pieces of You’ inspired me as a songwriter. Both of those albums had a profound effect on me beginning as an artist.

13. What’s a personal achievement or milestone from this past year that you’re proud of?
I’ve achieved millions of streams on Spotify this year, I’m set to appear on an upcoming HBO show, and I helped score and contributed several songs to a Lionsgate film that just released. I also attended the Grammys for the first time and am beginning work on a very special album project slated for 2025!

14. What’s next?
Lots more music, more shows on the way and two new albums coming in 2025!
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