'Everyone Wants to Be Known for Something': Local Artist Jael Is Finding Her Niche in the UK Music Scene

Melbourne-born, London-based artist Jael is entering a pivotal new chapter. Now signed with Capitol Records UK, she is preparing to release her debut EP, Mama Says, later this month.

The recent move to the UK marks a significant step for the Congolese-Australian artist, whose career has been shaped by gospel music, soul influences and a family steeped in music. Relocating to London has exposed Jael to one of the world's most competitive music markets, where she's refining her artistic identity while working alongside an international team with global ambitions.

Her latest single, "Hallowed Ground", offers the clearest indication yet of that evolution. Co-written and produced by acclaimed songwriter Eg White - whose credits include Adele, Sam Smith and Florence +The Machine - the track serves as an introduction to Mama Says, due out July 31st. Inspired by family, relationships and the lessons passed down from her mother, the EP reflects the emotional complexity Jael has experienced both personally and professionally while navigating the next stage of her career, she tells The Music Network.

Ahead of the EP's release, we caught up with Jael to discuss relocating to London, signing with Capitol Records UK, finding her creative identity, and why she believes Australia is home to a wealth of artists ready for the global stage.

The Music Network: Growing up in a Congolese-Australian family, music was such a big part of your life. Can you tell us what that looked and sounded like in the house?

Jael: Yeah, definitely. I grew up in a very musical family. My parents actually met in our church band, and for as long as I can remember they were worship leaders, they led all the music in our church. We had rehearsals every Thursday night, people would come over to our house, and it was just put into my system from the very beginning.

My father actually came to Australia on a music visa, and his story is crazy. He came with a band he put together called Vox Congo, and they used to perform for the soldiers of Congo. It was at a time when the president of Congo got assassinated, and to this day he still doesn't tell us all the details because it's still quite traumatising - but his band was actually accused of the assassination, and that's why they had to flee the country to avoid being arrested for something they didn't do. 

He told me about how he and his band slept on the borders near Malaysia, and a guardian angel found them and brought them to Australia and took them in. He had nothing coming here. He didn't know English. But he's my biggest inspiration because he loves music so much, and none of that stopped him from doing what he loved. Then he met my mum in the band, and they made me.

What an incredible story.

Yeah, that's why he's so proud that I've taken on this career - it's always been a dream of his too. I've always said, as soon as possible, I'd love for him to be by my side once I start performing or touring, even playing piano or directing things. He's an amazing music director, just multi-talented, amazing.

So genres like gospel and soul were big influences for you. What did they teach you about performance or songwriting, or connecting with people and your fans?

I'd say the biggest thing in gospel music is it's not rehearsed at all - it's very much about how you feel and where you should go. I do that a lot, even in the studio. I always start with melodies instead of lyrics. I'll go into the microphone and just feel wherever I want to go, find something that sits, and then write on top of that. I've tried the opposite - writing first and doing the melody over the top - but that feels a lot more rehearsed. The way I do it just flows more naturally. It's a lot more me, I suppose.

If we jump forward a few years - as a teenager, you were at Junior Eurovision, which is so insane. What was that experience like? Can you take me back to that?

It was actually when I was 12, so before I became a teenager, and it was so crazy. I remember my now manager telling me we had an opportunity for Junior Eurovision. My mum even thought it was a scam - I'd never done anything big, only a couple of small community performances. 

The lead-up was crazy: top 10, top five, top two. When I found out I got selected, it was absolutely crazy. That experience is still top three of my life. Meeting people from all the different countries, my first time overseas - that's when I really realised I wanted to perform in front of big crowds. I felt so free on the stage. It was an amazing experience.

What else did that experience teach you? 

One of the most important things is feeling yourself on the stage. There are always going to be rehearsals in most of what I do, but it's also about making it your own. Because I was so young, I was carefree and just did what felt right, and I want to keep that all the way to now - it makes the performance so much more authentic and real.

And now you've moved to London! How is that so far? 

I only got a permanent place about a month ago. Before that it was Airbnbs and long trips, so it's really all starting to happen just now. 

How are you feeling?

It's pretty nerve-wracking because I'm very close to my family, so being away for so long is crazy. But I love London so much - there's so much to do, it's so alive. Mixed emotions, but at the moment the balance is good.

I'm sure they miss you too, but they're probably so happy you're chasing this dream, and how incredible it's turning out, right?

Yeah, it's turning out amazing. This has been my dream from the very beginning. I've had seven jobs and gotten fired from all of them because it just wasn't my calling. So I guess I'm where I'm supposed to be.

So you've just signed with Capital UK, which is so exciting - congratulations. How are you feeling about that? Has anything day-to-day changed since the signing?

Oh yeah, a hundred percent. You don't realise how much goes on behind the scenes until you're actually involved in it - how many people are helping with this project, all the different tasks people have that I didn't even know about. I'm so grateful for all the support and everyone who's wanted to come on this journey with me.

 

 

 

 

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Living in the UK - recent as it is - how has it shaped you as an artist? Has anything inspired or motivated you, stuck with you?

I've noticed a lot of UK artists love sticking to their own unique niche sound or look, and that's really inspired me, because everyone wants to be known for something. I've always said I want a little niche of my own, even if it's my style or my hair. I love how everyone's got that specific something - it's so important, because fans will pick up on it. I always refer to Ariana Grande's ponytail as that kind of statement, and I think that's so cool. I've noticed that a lot in the UK. 

Also, everyone there just loves what they're doing, especially in the music industry - they don't do it just for the numbers, they actually love it, and that makes things so much easier.

The point about style is so interesting. Do you feel like you've found yours, or is that something you're still exploring?

I think I'm definitely on the right path. I've still got a bit to find my exact niche look, but I love fashion - that's a big thing of mine - and I love jewellery. I'm not wearing much today, but I wear a bunch of it, and I think that's probably my biggest thing. It's also a big part of Congolese culture - they love their jewellery, and I've taken that on. But yeah, I'm on the right path.

What else in your artistry is inspired by Congolese culture? 

I'd say definitely instruments. A lot of the instrumentation in Congo is very specific - nothing's been released yet with it, but I've definitely experimented with that sound. Electric guitar is a big instrument there, used a lot, and they love riffing - I love riffing too, so it works out perfectly. Even in one of the songs coming on the EP there are bongos. There are so many little things, probably can't list them all off the top of my head, but there's so many.

I love what you said about everyone in the UK having their niche, trying to find something unique. Do you feel the industry there welcomes that?

I definitely think so. It's a big thing for people to be set apart and have their own type of look or sound.

Are there any differences that have stood out to you between your time there and the Australian industry - in how they approach that?

I'd say the sound from Melbourne and London is very specific. Melbourne has a lot of that singer-songwriter, indie vibe, and I feel there's a lot of that in London too. They also reach into bigger voices right now coming from the UK. I think they've really got their own sounds, and that's really cool.

Do you think moving overseas has almost become essential for Aussie artists building an international career?

That's a good question. I do see a lot of people move countries or go overseas if they want to be global. I mean, I did it too. But I also think there's a lot of people who can make it out of Australia - I've seen it plenty of times, and there's so much talent in Australia and in Melbourne. 

People in Australia also love their sports, and I think that's one thing a lot of musicians think about - are they going to put music on top of the sports? 

Ah yes, the age-old question. 

But there is so much hidden talent in Australia waiting to be seen.

Now, if we can get into the EP a little… Mama Says is a great title. Can you tell me how that reflects the body of work?

In basically all the songs there's a lot of storytelling and real-life scenarios, and a lot of those are things your mum's either told you or warned you about. I remember sitting in my mum's room as a teenager and she'd tell me, 'One day you're going to have a man, and sometimes it's not going to be good. You have to find the right one'. Or even everyday relationships, friendships, family. The lead single, “Mama Says”, is about the person I bring into my family as my loved one having to be loved by my mother, or else he's out. That's just how it is. I take my mum's advice very seriously, because most of the time she's right anyway.

There's nothing quite like motherly advice, is there? Are you close with her?

Yes, very.

Your track “Hallowed Ground” is so beautiful, co-written and producer by Eg White. Were you an admirer of his songwriting before working with him?

He wrote one of the most amazing songs, “Chasing Pavements”, with Adele. He's like no other producer I've ever worked with - so unique and so funny. I remember calling my mum and telling her the stories from the studio sessions. He'd say 'Something's missing', then would set up a whole drum kit in two minutes just to play drums. I'd say 'No, that's not the right snare', so he'd get a completely different one. His mind works so amazingly, he's so creative, and he really clicked with me - we worked really well together. He's just phenomenal.

Did working with him change anything about how you think about songwriting or approaching a record?

I think so, yeah. I feel like I changed a little coming out of those sessions - got very inspired. If you listen to the songs, he loves metaphorical terms, and so do I, so I've tried to implement that a bit more into my music. Sometimes it's good to have straightforward things, but it's also cool for people to figure it out, like a little puzzle.

When people listen to the EP, what do you hope they learn about you, or what's the message you want to spread with this body of work?

I'd say - listen to your mother. But also, the concept to begin with was mixed emotions. I always have a lot of mixed emotions, and I feel like the songs on the EP are all quite mixed too. I want people to realise they're not the only ones feeling a lot of different things - that's how I feel a lot of the time. That's how life is, you're not always going to feel the same emotion all the way through. I think that's something people will learn about me, but also relate to.

It sounds like there's always going to be a song to fit the mood you're feeling.

Exactly. 

Looking forward - you've ticked off some pretty impressive milestones. What's the next big thing? Is there anything right at the top of the bucket list?

I've always said my favourite thing is to perform live. I'd love to perform to big festival crowds; that's always been a dream. And to do headline shows - I've never done one before, so I can't wait to start. Even tour supports. My dream would be a Bruno Mars tour support or something. That would be amazing. 

Live performance in general, and the bigger the crowd, the better. I feel more comfortable on stage when the crowd is bigger, for some reason. I think that's the case with a lot of artists - it gets more nerve-wracking when it's a tiny crowd. So can't wait to perform to big crowds.

What are you most excited for with this EP coming out? I imagine there's a bit of everything - nerves, excitement, anxiety, anticipation.

A hundred percent. Even with previous releases, people expect me to be like, especially on release day, 'Oh my gosh I'm so excited, I can't believe this'. But honestly, on release days I'm very anxious. 

I remember talking to someone I was doing a studio session with, who also releases music, and he said it almost feels like getting ready for a really important performance. It's an interesting feeling. But I also love it, because I've got music coming out, and that's what I've always wanted to do. So it's a very, very interesting feeling.

Jael's debut EP Mama Says is out July 31st.