Jasmine Ortiz: Multi-Instrumentalist, multi-lingual, producer, writer, composer and singer, while being a full time Student
Interview conducted on May 06, 2021
By Dan Locke
Teenage trilingual musician recording originals in English, Spanish & Chinese, covers, and writing songs! I play piano, guitar, sing, compose and dabble in other instruments. I have some really cool projects coming out that I am super excited to share with you all 🙂 Please give me a follow on Insta @iamjasmineortiz and check me out on Facebook too Jasmine Ortiz Music and on twitter! Hola Amigos, hablo tres idiomas, y quiero saber de Ustedes. De donde son? Tengo muchos proyectos increibles saliendo pronto, y con muchas ganas de compartir con ustedes, mis fans. Los quiero mucho. 嗨朋友们，我很高兴收到大家的来信，并期待向您展示所有新的音乐和项目！
What is your upbringing?
I was born in Manhattan and raised in the Pocono Mountains of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania by two incredibly loving and supportive parents. My mom is Puerto Rican and Spanish, and my dad is Salvadoran so I grew up really connecting to Latin culture and my heritage.
How did you discover music?
I was exposed to music very young by my parents, from them really showing me some of their favorite artists. From Jay Z and Nas to Erika Badu and Selena; I have a wide range of influences that helped shape the artist I am today.
Are you a trained classical piano player?
Yes! I’ve been playing classical piano since I was three when I started lessons with my teacher. I have performed classical pieces from different eras of the genre starting with Baroque composers like Bach, Classical composers like Beethoven and Mozart, Romantic composers like Chopin and Schumann, and 20th Century composers like Stravinsky.
One of your first jobs in the entertainment business was doing voices for Dora the Explorer. Can you tell us what that was like?
It was super exciting to work on Nickelodeon and explore different roles on the show. I appeared as Pirate Piggy, Little Leaguers, and Baby Blue Bird throughout my several years working on the show.
You sing in 3 languages (English, Spanish and Chinese) how did you discover that you could sing?
I really just started by singing around the house, and I would do this thing that I later learned was vibrato; which I called the “squiggly thing.” Once my mom heard me doing that at around 2 or 3, she helped me develop some good vocal techniques on her own before putting me into formal vocal lessons at round 8 or 9.
Many people don’t know you play the guitar. How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I begged my parents for a long time to get me a guitar and lessons to learn how to play it. It wasn’t until I was 9 that they obliged and I’ve been shredding ever since. I’ve always been super into rock and heavy metal, especially from the 90s and early 2000s in the grunge, pop-punk, and post-hardcore scenes. This music really inspired me to learn complicated passages on the guitar and cover songs that challenged my abilities. Now, I use the guitar more as a songwriting tool while still staying true to my roots in rock. My first ever guitar was a great beginning instrument, a black fender Squier. I still have it but I hardly ever play it, it’s not worth much so I keep it for sentimental value.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
My top three guitars right now that I have are my turquoise Fender Stratocaster custom, my burgundy Gibson SG Special and my wood grain Fender Telecaster.
How did you start to write music?
I was 9 when I wrote my first ever song, and I think it really just came about with me singing a melody with lyrics around the house. This is similar to how I still write songs, usually starting with a melodic or lyrical idea and going from there.
Describe your music.
My music is really an embodiment of who I am as a person and artist. I feel like it is the greatest way I can express myself and relate to others. It has some trap and R&B sonic elements while staying true to myself as a cinematic pop artist.
What was your first performance like?
One of the first performances I remember was my very first piano recital at almost 4 years old, where I played an abridged version of Fur Elise by Beethoven. I remember being really excited to get on stage and show everyone how hard I had been working on the piece, and I remember getting a bouquet of flowers at the end of it.
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Yes! I am a member of ASCAP and I would recommend that every independent artist join a PRO.
What makes a good songwriter?
I think one of the most important qualities a songwriter can possess is the ability to be honest and vulnerable.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
My first original song was called “Turn Up The Stereo” and I wrote it when I was 9! I did end up recording it in a friend’s basement studio when I was around 10 or 11, so that was one of my first studio recording experiences.
What is the process of writing your music?
If I’m collaborating with a producer, I usually pick tracks based on how they inspire me, and I’ll begin toplining the production by coming up with either a thematic or lyrical element, or a super catchy melody. Every time I write, the process is slightly different but I’m almost always lyrically driven. If I’m creating the entire work myself, I will either start completely from scratch with a lyrical or melodic idea, or begin a production bass by incorporating loops from splice along with my own midi or guitar components before I begin laying down vocals.
Tell me about your latest video “Jaguar”?
The video for Jaguar was so much fun to create, featuring a cop chase and me getting thrown into the back of a cop car. It really encapsulates the vibe of the song, being young and carefree and completely unaware of any repercussions from your actions.
How was it to work with Cesar da Empower as a producer?
Working with Cesar has been an incredible experience. He has really become a mentor to me and has helped me grow a lot as a songwriter and collaborator. I love writing with him and recording in the studio, and he’s just a really funny and talented person to be around.
How was it working with her again on “Jaguar”?
I have actually worked with her on every one of my music videos and she never disappoints. I love collaborating with her on video production and even direction for some shots.
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I think it’s a really cool tool for independent artists, allowing them to upload content to major streaming platforms themselves through services like CDBaby or Tunecore. Prior to the rise in streaming every release had to be run through a major label or distributor, making it much harder for independent artists to break through. This do-it-yourself era of music has allowed so many talented people to shine.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes. Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I’m not sure how to answer this without polling a lot of peers, but I would assume that if they had a basic music education in k-12 they might remember that the symbol has been used for more than just a hashtag. However, music education is becoming more and more sparse in public schools so I’m not sure how much longer that will be true.
Digital vs. vinyl?
I love the resurgence of vinyl as a method of collecting artist memorabilia both for its sound and its aesthetic qualities, however I think digital streaming and downloads have made music so much more accessible that there’s a real draw with it.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
I’ve had a lot of early Maroon 5 in my head lately because they were one of my first favorite bands as a kid. Specifically Harder to Breathe, She Will Be Loved, and This Love is playing on repeat. The entire “Songs About Jane” album really introduced me to sonic elements that I’ve become obsessed with hearing and lyrical components that I like to include in my own music like storytelling and hooky choruses.
You are currently in college. How is that going? What is your major?
I am currently a rising senior at the University of Miami, studying musicianship, artistry development, and entrepreneurship! I minor in music business, songwriting, and political science. I have really enjoyed my time here at UM and it feels incredibly surreal to me that I only have 2 semesters left. We are currently wrapping up finals for my junior year and I don’t know where the time went. I have made so many invaluable friends, memories and connections during my time here and I’m excited to see where all of us will be in a few years!
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I think that the pandemic will fuel an incredible resurgence of high demand for live music in the months to come. We are already seeing this with music festivals cropping up around Florida and with the return of Rolling Loud this coming summer – which is nearly sold out. While it may have unfortunately taken some smaller music venues out of the rotation for a while, I think that patrons are dying to get back and support the ones that remain, and artists and eager to showcase any new projects they may have recorded or released in the past year.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I have been focused on maintaining my mental health and sanity while honing my music production and songwriting skills. At the beginning of this whole thing over a year ago now, it was extremely hard to stay motivated or even get out of bed. Now looking back at it, I realize I have grown so immensely from taking the time and space to stand still for a while and reflect. Some of my best work has come out of this time period, with more than 12 songs recorded in the past few months and several music videos along with planned releases. I am so excited to keep growing and showcase what I’ve been working on.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
Honestly, I leaned heavily into a newfound love of working out and occasionally doing yoga. I connected with a personal trainer through my university’s gym and have been working with him over zoom since August. I’ve noticed an immense improvement in my mental and physical health as a result.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I have recently discovered a love for dance! I used to be incredibly shy and insecure when it came to movement on stage, but for the past three months I’ve been taking heels classes at a local Miami studio and it’s something I’ve become pretty passionate about continuing and improving on.
How was FrostFest 2021?
It was so much fun! I really loved getting the chance to perform on such a huge stage and it was great to bring live music back to campus after so long.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I think that platforms like this keep popping up because of the increased need for streaming to become a part of artists daily lives. I’m not sure what this means for the future of Facebook specifically, but we are moving into an increasingly technologically heavy world.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Connecting with them through social media is pivotal.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means things like playlists on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I’m sure that this is definitely a thing for a lot of artists. It seems like a lot of these opportunities just come with who you know.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I think this is a cool concept.
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
I really hope that the legislation being pushed forward with benefit small entertainment venues, and independent artists.
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
I have always been interested in social advocacy and public policy. I would definitely consider going to law school and/or forming an organization to advocate for political change.
What is your happy place?
I really love being outside, taking hikes around LA or the Poconos, and kayaking, swimming, going to the beach. Connecting with nature really helps me clear my mind.
A Lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning. Do you think you would be willing to sell your back catalog if someone like Universal is willing to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
Honestly it would depend on where I am in my career and if I felt that it would be the right move for me longevity-wise.
You have many people listening and watching your videos online.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on February 22, the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time. But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think that could mean to independent artists?
I think that the market is incredibly oversaturated, and this definitely makes things more difficult for the individual, but I really appreciate that artists are getting more and more visibility by being able to control the content they put out for themselves.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I think it’s an incredibly smart move for labels to partner with Tiktok as a way to break new artists. I have been on the platform for a year and I definitely enjoy it a lot.
I see you have voiced your opinion on Climate change. What do you think we need to do to stop it?
I believe that some of the main issues really stem from a lack of concrete policy change from national governments, restricting corporations on their carbon footprint and sustainability measures.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
I am really looking forward to the next few months of exciting releases and a hopeful return to normalcy. I have a lot of big projects coming up, so stay tuned and connect with me @iamjasmineortiz on all social media platforms!
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