In the verdant countryside of Wales, Jacqui finds herself captivated by an unfamiliar sight: rolling hills of green, a stark contrast to the urban landscape of her home. “Being in the countryside always gets me excited because I don’t get to see so much greenery when I am in Seoul,” she reflects, speaking during her first-ever UK tour. It’s a fitting metaphor for an artist whose musical journey has been defined by embracing new perspectives and finding beauty in unexpected places.
The release of her debut album ‘Dirty Mirror Selfie’ marks a significant milestone for this boundary-pushing artist who effortlessly melds nu jazz, neo-soul and industrial textures into something entirely her own. To understand how Jacqui arrived at this distinctive sound requires tracing the geographical constellation of her upbringing.
“I spent my time as a child in a bunch of places like Korea, China and the United States,” she explains, reflecting on her formative years. “During the time I grew up, there wasn’t much of a scene happening in the part of Korea or China I was in, but when I moved to the States for college, it was a fun mixture and crossover of diverse cultures and genres of music.”
This cross-cultural pollination proved fertile ground for Jacqui’s musical development. Her early experience of various musical traditions laid the foundation for her genre-defying approach. “I was exposed to a wide range of music, from classical to pop,” she recalls. One particular memory stands out: “I remember listening to Stevie Wonder for the first time, not knowing how Ebmaj7 at the very end of ‘Lately’, one of his many hits, made me feel. It felt weird, but in a good way. I put the song on repeat to see how I feel every time that Ebmaj7 comes around.”
That early fascination with complex harmonies and emotional resonance would eventually bloom into a full-fledged musical career, though Jacqui’s path to becoming an artist seemed almost predetermined. “I’ve always known my strength is in my voice and realising that wasn’t so hard,” she says. “I used to sing for everyone whenever there was a family event or gathering happening; being the centre of attention was always fun.”
Debut album ‘Dirty Mirror Selfie’ represents the culmination of this journey so far, showcasing Jacqui’s vocal talents and her sophisticated approach to songwriting. The album’s creation was a process of careful cultivation and artistic patience. “I had to be patient with myself when it comes to writing songs, so I really took my time completely starting over or rearranging what I had,” she explains. “Once I had the demos, solidifying them was an easy process, especially when you are working with the right people.”
Her collaboration with producer glowingdog proved particularly fruitful. “Working with him was almost like finding that puzzle piece I was missing for a long time,” Jacqui reflects. “Expanding my perspectives musically and even observing myself reacting to the things we bring to the table was a full human experience, I’d say.”
Among the album’s standout tracks, Jacqui’s current favourite, ‘Lemon Water’, reveals something of her meditative approach to music-making. “I used to put this song on repeat when I needed to set my mind straight and clear; almost a great song to meditate to. When I hear myself repeat ‘Pour it over me’ a number of times, I can’t help but instantly fall into the place of peace.”
The interplay between languages adds another fascinating layer to Jacqui’s creative process. “Being exposed to English while studying abroad has definitely shaped me into a songwriter writing mainly in English,” she notes. “I find writing in Korean, ironically, pretty challenging. I find myself naturally feeling the urge to take more of a delicate approach, which I assume is because I have been speaking this language, Korean, most of my life, and that being said, I am aware of what I’m saying way better than when I’m speaking in English. Complicated!”
This linguistic duality mirrors the broader themes of identity and self-reflection that permeate her work. Recent writing sessions during her UK tour have revealed recurring nature motifs in her songwriting, “which includes words like water, garden, and love,” she explains. “But if you’d ask me, knowing where I reside and pull my lyrics from most of the time, I’ve been trying to spend more time exploring external worlds, almost seeing myself in a third-person perspective.”
Beyond the studio and stage, Jacqui maintains a holistic approach to her craft, recently discovering an unexpected passion. “I recently got into weightlifting,” she shares. “I like the feeling of getting an instant physical reaction when training a muscle because it is very new to me. Also, I tend to stay energised even after getting out of my zone after performing.”
As she continues her UK tour – “It’s been my eleventh day here already, and it’s been fun” – Jacqui finds herself embracing new experiences with characteristic enthusiasm. “It’s been nice getting such warm welcomes as a foreign artist, especially being in the UK for the first time. A lot of road trips and spending time in a car, chilling in the countryside were all part of this big package of pleasant experiences.”
Looking ahead, Jacqui remains focused on expansion and exploration. “I am out here again, trying to explore more to expand my musical scope,” she says, suggesting that this current chapter is just the beginning of a much longer artistic journey. With her debut album establishing her as a distinctive voice, Jacqui stands poised to continue pushing boundaries while maintaining the thoughtful, introspective approach that makes her work so compelling.
Jacqui plays The Great Escape on Thursday 15th May (Jubilee Square, 2pm) and Friday 16th May (The Tempest, 6.30pm).
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