Check out our interview with London-based pop newcomer April Jai who just released her new single “Stop Fighting It”.
Fusing moody, lowkey synths with pulsing drum machine rhythms, “Stop Fighting It” explores the confusion of blurred boundaries in relationships and the unspoken desires of wanting to be more than friends, but the potential implications of changing those dynamics – coming to a fiery finish as the production builds with raging guitar riffs and elevated synth work.
Making a name for herself on the London pop scene with her chilled production style and emotionally heavy lyrics, Jai’s TikTok viral hit “It Ends with Us” saw her rack up almost 500K streams for the release on Spotify; meanwhile, “Stop Fighting It” emerges as Jai’s first release since her sold-out headline show in December at London’s Troubador – proving her potential to translate online viral attention into a real-life fanbase.
Follow April @apriljaimusic
Hi April, please tell us a little about you?
Heyyyy! My name’s April Jai and I’m a Scottish pop singer songwriter based in London. I make chill pop music but I do have the occasional banger too! I’m more or less an open book and brutally honest in both my songs and in life.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Honest, introspective, loving
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
I don’t think I’ve ever thought of doing anything else. My entire life has been me working towards being a singer songwriter.
I wrote my first song when I was 6 (it was terrible) and I’ve been writing ever since. Taylor Swift was a huge inspiration for me as a teen so she inspired me to pick up the guitar and so my writing style evolved from there.
After high school I studied music at university, did 3 years and then dropped out before my honours year to move to London. I’ve been here ever since and I’m slowly climbing my way up the trail of this career path.
How has this changed your life?
Pursuing music has changed everything. My life would look completely different if I wasn’t working in this industry, so much so that I don’t even know what it would look like.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Chill honest pop
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I was always surrounded by music growing up and my whole family listened to a lot of country music. I fell deep in love with the straight forward, conversational style of songwriting and it inspired me to get my own feelings on paper. I was a super emotional kid so writing was my way of working through what was going on in my brain. As cheesy as it sounds, music chose me really.
Do you play any instrument?
Yes, I play guitar and I can play basic chords on piano (enough to be able to write songs on piano)
Do you ever get nervous?
ABSOLUTELY ALL THE TIME! I’m an anxious creature so yes, I get disgustingly nervous before I go on stage. I also have social anxiety but I adore talking to people after shows, so if I’m ever a little awkward when you come up to me that’s why hahah.
Tell us about your new single “Stop Fighting It?”
“Stop Fighting It” is a completely different sound for me and I was really nervous putting it out! It’s my female empowerment badass spicy song. It honestly just gives me instant confidence whenever I hear it.
What’s the story behind the song?
It’s basically inspired by being friends with someone that you just know you’re not “just friends” with and saying I’ve had enough of fighting this tension between us, let’s just go for it. It’s a spicy, friends to lovers, female empowerment song!
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Hearing the stories from people on how they’ve related to the songs I’ve written. Everyone always has a unique story and it just means the world to me to hear them. Also hearing people sing my songs back to me at shows is the best feeling in the world.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
EVERYTHING by Mel Robbins, go and binge read all of her books and suck up all the free content she has online and on her podcast… you’ll thank me later.
If you weren’t in music, what would you be up to right now?
I’m very lucky that I’ve not had to think about this too much as I never really entertained the notion of having a “plan B” but I do have a little fire inside me for acting and would love to try that out some day.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
That your mind really does create your reality. If you’re focused on negative things then that’s all you’re going to see. Living in gratitude is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself and my brain.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
That things get better, poor little April was so sad for so long and I just wish I could tell her to try to see the beauty in the world a little more.
How would your best friend describe you?
Okay so I absolutely just text my bestie and this is what she said: “a hardworking musician with a big heart and dreams, defs loves a good sign whether it’s astrology or romance and a genuinely lovely gal”
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“Ever changing” because that’s me in a nutshell. Forever trying to better myself and the way I live my life.
What’s next for April Jai in 2023?
So much more music coming your way in 2023 and also some really cool shows which I can’t wait to announce!
What is your favourite healthy food?
I’m vegan and gluten free as I have coeliac disease so I like to think that everything I eat is bound to be healthy (Which it probably isn’t)
And your favourite cheat food?
I really don’t believe in labelling any food as cheat food, I eat whatever I want whenever I want!
How would you explain your fashion style?
I definitely struggle with this a little bit, fashion doesn’t come naturally to me but I do like to think of my style as comfy, playful and fierce. My style definitely thrives more in the winter months and I have an obsession with beanies and jackets!
What is your own definition of happiness?
Being at peace with myself. I’ve spent a large chunk of my life being in a default mode of unhappiness so now that I’m finally out of that it’s really important for me to maintain it and give myself as much grace as I can.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I could probably give you a really cliché answer here and be really political or philosophical about it but instead I’ll give you the answer that came to my mind first and that’s Mel Robbins. That woman has changed how I think about life and is one of the reasons I’m this new, happy version of myself so I’d love to meet her and tell her how much that has meant to me.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
I was lucky enough to go on my dream vacation last year. My boyfriend and I went to Calgary and Banff and it made my little snow loving heart so happy!
LA is definitely high up on my list though too but that’s more for work rather than purely a holiday.
Best advice ever given?
Never give up unless it no longer lights you up inside. I can’t remember who told me that but it has stuck with me ever since and hits hard on the days I want to give up.
Do you support any charity?
There are a lot of charities and organisations that I’m super passionate about and that you’ll hear me talk about over on my socials. Some of them include coeliac uk, mind and rape crisis uk.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
In 5 years I’ll still be making music, touring all around the world. I’ll be happy and fulfilled and living somewhere that makes me feel safe and at peace. By then I’ll also have done an acting job or 2.
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
Ooooh, fun fact I’ve never done karaoke but if I ever did “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood would be the song I’d pick!
What do you think of Social Media?
I have had the biggest journey with social media over the past few years. Before the pandemic I HATED it and I also fought going on TikTok for so long. Social media used to make me feel like shit about myself! I don’t know if it’s just because I’m a completely different person than I was a few year ago but I have fun on there now! I don’t stress too much about what to post and when. I just show up consistently and as authentically as I can. Social media is a huge thing for independent artists so I think it’s important to find your peace with it and learn to work with it rather than fighting against it.
Where we can follow you?
All of my socials are @apriljaimusic
Book: “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover
Quote: I don’t really have one quote in particular that’s my favourite but I do have “don’t stop believing” tattooed on me though!
Movie: Finding Nemo (don’t laugh, it’s a classic!)
Tv Series: Gilmore Girls and Greg’s Anatomy
Favourite Food: Tacos
Travel Destination: Anywhere with mountains and snow
Sports Team: I’m not American but I love NFL and the first team I ever saw play were The Ravens so they’re my honorary team. I also need to find an ice hockey team because I went to a Flyers game when I was in Calgary last year and now I’m hooked!
