Think of Goa and you will visualize beaches and music. Though Goa has seen the growth of countless singer-songwriters for decades, the quality of music always lacked. In the past, Goan artists always needed money or the right contacts to put their music out there. With the growing number of streaming platforms and countless software to aid the production process right from one’s home, Goan artists have produced some worthwhile music in the recent past. We are not only seeing established artists, but even young college or school going artists in Goa releasing music which can match up to any song from the Billboard charts. Considering the current state of the music industry in Goa with less revenue coming from direct sales, publishing plays an ever-increasing role in an artist’s career. Also, with the evolution of the media landscape over the last couple of decades, there are greater opportunities to get publishing revenue than ever before, if utilized wisely.
Jaden Maskie is Goa’s most recent singer/songwriter who’s songs are showing that quality in production and lyrics do exist in the music scene of Goa. His first single, ‘Not My Mistake’ received an overwhelming response not only in Goa but worldwide. This only pushed Jaden to write more and give us some much needed relatable music. We got the opportunity to also speak to him about his brand new single, ‘These Nights With You’ which released today and available on all streaming platforms. Making use of the online platforms at his disposal, talent and brains has helped him gain a lot of popularity. And he is just getting started!
At Goan Insider, we had an un-stripped and honest interview with singer-songwriter Jaden Maskie to learn about how he became a singer-songwriter and his creative process. The excerpts of our conversation are below.
Tell us a little about yourself
My name is Jaden Mascarenhas, I’m an 18-year-old, upcoming artist from Goa. I am originally from Mumbai but moved here around 3 years ago. Since then, I’ve started pursuing music as a full-time hobby, because getting a degree is also important. I now study at St. Xaviers College in Mapusa.
What got you first interested in music and how did you start making music?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been inclined towards music. I was 9 years old when I first began singing. I started making covers on Instagram in 2016, which started gaining a little traction from, my friends. I then realized that people love what I’m doing and I started posting my covers on YouTube and SoundCloud. However, I started making original music in 2019. My first single ‘Not My Mistake’ was in fact the second song I had ever written in my life!
Who inspires your playing style? Which artists can we refer to?
To be honest, I listen to a lot of artists and a lot of genres of music. If I were to name one person that has inspired my playing style, I’d have to say, Ed Sheeran. However, I try not to associate with one particular artist to compare myself to.
How would you describe the genre that you release music in?
Currently, my music tends to slot into the ‘Pop’ music category, but I have plans to branch out into Rnb as well as funk one day.
How was the experience releasing your first single ‘Not My Mistake’?
Releasing ‘Not My Mistake’ was probably the best move I’ve made so far. I’ve realized that people enjoy music that has a deep meaning engraved in it. ‘Not My Mistake’ had such an overwhelming response, and it has really helped me realize the potential I have.
Which are some of the artists you have collaborated with? Which would be your most memorable project/ collaboration?
Since my music career started just 5 months ago, I’ve only done 2 collaborations. One of them being with Goan artists ‘Tsumyoki’ and ‘2jaym’ on a song called ‘The Way I Fall In Love’, which we released in June of 2020. And the other is an unreleased song with a good friend Emmanuel De Noronha. I’ve had fun doing both the collaborations and can’t really pinpoint which one has been more memorable!
What would be your dream collaboration?
It is my dream to collaborate with the artist ‘Lauv’. His music really inspires me to keep making more music and work hard!
How was your experience working as a vocal recording artist for jingles and advertisements?
Being a dubbing/recording artist has been a part of my childhood and is something that I can never forget! From doing my first animated film ‘Oliver and Company’ at the age of 11 to doing movies like ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2’, as well as singing in movies such as ‘Guzaarish’ I’ve experienced a lot! As far as jingles are concerned, I’ve recorded my voice for Nestle A+ milk, KFC Flaming Crunch, Honda Mobilio TVC’s, and much more!
What is your creative process or songwriting process?
Songwriting according to me, is a process that cannot be forced! Hence I just go with the flow. When I get a melody idea or chord progression, the first thing I do is record it onto my phone. Over the course of a couple of weeks, I probably record around 10-15 random melody ideas or chord progressions. After that, I playback all of them one by one and pick something that inspires me the most. Then it’s all about telling a story for me. Throughout the song, the listeners should feel as though they are experiencing everything that I sing.
Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so what techniques do you use to get past it?
Writer’s block is something that is inevitable. The only way to get past it is to change your approach on writing the song. When writing for ‘The Way I Fall In Love’, I experienced writer’s block for the very first time. Instead of losing hope and getting frustrated, I took a break and started rewriting everything. This helped me find a new meaning for the song, which helped me finish it.
Tell us a little about your new single ‘These Nights With You’. What is the inspiration behind the track and lyrics?
‘These Nights With You’ is a track that I think most people nowadays can relate to. It speaks about how people suppress their feelings instead of letting them out. It also speaks about that one person that you can always open up to, who will help you get out of the worst situations. I wanted to convey this message in a not so serious manner.
Where do you record all your music?
All of my music to date has been written and recorded in my bedroom, on my laptop. From the guitar to the vocals, everything is created from scratch. I don’t believe in using pre-made melody samples in my music, hence it takes me time to perfect my music!
Do you have any favorite instrument or gears you’re using right now? Something you cannot live without?
The only instrument I cannot live without is my guitar! It is my primary instrument and every song that I write starts on the guitar.
If I was to turn on your ipod right now what five songs or artists would I see?
The five artists you would see would be Lauv, Charlie Puth, Jacob Collier, Ed Sheeran and Tom Misch.
As a fun question, what is the most trouble you have ever gotten into?
Oh my, where do I start! The most trouble I’ve gotten into was probably when I let my dad’s car roll back from the parking because I put down the handbrake. The door almost snapped off because of my stupidity.
How important do you think music publishing is to emerging artists in today’s industry?
To be honest, publishing music has never been any easier than it is nowadays. Earlier in order to get your music onto streaming platforms, an artist would have to be signed to a record label. But now publishing music can be done by the click of a few buttons. However, I think this ease of publishing has caused some artists to stop caring about their quality. It is definitely important for artists to create an identity for themselves, however not at the cost of quality.
Do you have any advice for aspiring songwriters?
I think giving advice at this stage in my career would not really be that helpful to people, however, I can give you some tips.
- Always listen to yourself.
- Remember to write music from the heart and not just to compete with another artist.
- Stay humble and keep learning as much as you can, no matter how knowledgeable you are.
- Focus on building a relationship with your listeners.
How can our readers stay connected with your music?
My music will always be available on all streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, YouTube, etc. by the name ‘Jaden Maskie’. You can also follow me on Instagram to stay updated with my upcoming music and projects.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to build my identity as an artist, and go global with my music. Most importantly, I want to stay happy along the way.
Do you have a story to share with the world? Send us an email at contact.goaninsider@gmail.com
Author: Jonas Monteiro
Jonas Monteiro is the co-founder at 'Goan Insider' and also the founder of 'La Festa', a food business in Goa. He is the founder of 'Artiste Domain', an event and digital marketing company based in India and the co-founder of 'Domain Records', a record label based in India and L.A. He is a qualified therapist holding a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology with over 4 years of experience in mental health. Jonas is also a well-renowned Musician, Singer-Songwriter, DJ, Writer and a serial Entrepreneur. A very social individual who loves connecting and interacting with people. To get in touch with him you can Follow and DM him on Instagram @jonasmonteiromusic or email him at jonascastilhomonteiro@gmail.com
