Artist Spotlight: Ted Jasper

Feeling like a breath of fresh air, Ted Jasper’s unique and varied sound almost transcends genre. The musician started off producing, and it’s clear the 24-year-old UK-based artist is on a journey with his craft. Unapologetic in his ability to pull classic elements and sounds from our fave genres, his music is relatable, fresh, and even illuminating. Jasper’s talent is showcased in his production, singing, and songwriting facilities.

His latest track Alone is one of many in a string of recent releases that signal the artist's intent on creating on his own terms. ‘In the moment’ is a key phrase we touch on often in our chat, as he talks about his process of feeling and creation. Eager to break away from the more traditional timelines of releasing music, it's all about expedition for the artist, as he challenges himself to create and release in order to attain a more personally relevant connection to his music in the moment. 

Ted sits down with The Pit to discuss his latest releases, his inspirations, and what he’s got going on this summer.

When did you start making music? 

I started making music in 2016 during college back home in Cornwall (where I grew up), it was a lot of dance and beat-driven stuff. I was listening to a lot of SoundCloud music of the times, Sam Gellaitry, Muramasa, and quickly quickly, who was just starting to pop off, that really kind of inspired me. It was a lot playing beats for my friends in my car after I had just passed my test, to sort of figure out how I could get the loudest sounding beats. But I would say I was too scared to sing at the time.

How did you know that this was the career path you wanted to go down and how did you get into singing? 

I always wanted to sing, but I didn't really trust myself and I guess I was too scared to even try. But I think what made me not want to stop and made me realise that this is what I wanted to spend my time doing was that this was really the only thing that latched itself so deeply into me. Growing up, I was always picking up and dropping things. That was definitely my personality. One minute I would be taking apart things all over the house, thinking I wanted to be a mad scientist, and the next I would want to be a lawyer. One day I just picked up producing on my laptop and just never stopped. 

There’s always a subtle consistency in your music that leaves a Ted Jasper mark, What is your creative process when it comes to building your sound? 

That’s interesting that you think that because I always feel I'm all over the place when it comes to my sound. I think there are always a few things that I reach for or have when making a beat. Maybe there's a certain personality that attaches itself to everything I make. It can be an emotional process when I make something that really reflects how I feel. I almost feel like I'm letting something out, which I hope doesn't sound too corny! 

There’s a standard to define an artist's sound, but what genre do you personally define your music by?

I think being defined by a genre can be hard, but you’re always listening to something before you start making music so your music must sound like something. But more and more, now that I'm writing and singing, I like the idea of there being a core songwriting element. Growing up listening to Van Morrison, John Martin, and The Cure,  they all have their style, but it's all about the song and how it makes you feel. People might say the music I make is indietronica or even a mix of electric and downtempo and then maybe an element of indie or alternative, and I think that's fine, I don't mind. 

Your music always sounds so full of intent. Could you tell us what inspires you to make music?

I think, on one hand, there's something really cathartic about sharing a song with the world and having even a few people resonate and understand the feelings you had. It’s almost like a really good way of having a conversation with someone. Arguably, a lot of artists would probably say that the actual process of making music is one of the biggest reasons they continue, the feeling of working on a song. But there's this added element of when you put a song out in the world, someone can feel what you're feeling and relate, and that's never going to get old to me.  

Can you tell us about your recent releases? 

I guess for 2022, I'm focused on putting out songs that really resonate with me and to feel really in the moment. With some artists, who may be with a label or have management, it can force you to put out songs long after you've made them. But this year I’ve been putting out music within a much shorter time span from writing it, and it means that now when I release it into the world I can still really understand that part of me that made that song. And that's really special. It's all about the speed of feeling something and making it into a song and hopefully having people resonate with it, instead of what has been a months or year-long process. I’m loving that it's making releasing music more fun and making it feel more important in the moment to me. 

Many, if not all of your work is currently independently funded/produced, how have you found that journey in being an independent artist?

I’ve found it quite hard to be honest. When I started making music, I was lucky to have offers from people to manage me, which there are people who would really want to have a manager but sometimes you don't need them yet. Through no fault of the people managing me, sometimes I lost track of how I felt and what I wanted as an artist, even in things like releasing music when I want and in the quantity that I want. But it can be really difficult. And anyone who is willing to help you in this industry, be thankful for that because that means a lot when things are so saturated. But also there is so much freedom in being an independent artist, so it's double-edged sword.

Are you currently working on any upcoming projects? 

I think I’ve got a real palette of songs ready to share that I feel really proud of. At the moment, I’m working on how best to put them out and what that’s going to look like. So, yes, lots of new music to come. But I want to make sure it’s done in a really beautiful way. 

What are you looking forward to this summer? 

I'm looking forward to getting married! I'm gonna be getting married, which is really mad to say.