Studio Talks is excited to share an interview with a very successful songwriter, Jin Jin. She has written songs for artists like Jess Glynne, Jax Jones, David Guetta, Wiz Kid and many more. Throughout her career, Jin Jin has won multiple awards for her work including BMI Awards as well as being nominated for an Ivor Novello Award.
In the interview, Jin Jin talks about her career beginnings, songwriting process, working with other artists and discusses the current situation and its effects on music creatives.
Were you always into music and was there a specific moment when you realised that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Yes, since I was really young I’ve been into music. I used to hang out in my grandad’s reggae record store in Manchester, listening to records and wondering how the songs were made. Manchester is a super musical city and my parents used to play house music when I was growing up and talk about the Haçienda nightclub and the amazing music scene in the area.
Was there a specific genre or artist that inspired or influenced you at the beginning of your career?
Reggae was a big first influence because of my grandad’s shop - Chaka Demus & Pliers, Shaggy, Beres Hammond. Also, house music and pop through listening to the radio.
How has your academic background in Music Technology and later Music Industry Management and Marketing helped you in your professional career?
It’s really helped me understand the anatomy of the music industry and the way all the different areas link together – labels, publishers, live agents, royalty collection agencies, etc. Music tech helped me in particular to know my way around the studio and use key terms and know the equipment. When you’re in the studio it’s really helpful as a songwriter to be able to speak the same language as the producers and understand technical terms related to creating the music.
What was your process back then when it came to collaborating/working with other artists and how has it changed over the years?
When I was young, I listened to music on the radio at home and just started writing responses back to certain songs. As a professional writer, you then start working in studios with other people. Often you just start chatting to the artist to find out how their day or week has been and find a hook or subject that gels and jump on it. These days though, because of Covid-19, I’m back to my home set up! Recording myself and doing Zoom sessions. A few studios are starting to open if they’re big enough to be able to do social distancing, but most sessions are virtual. I used to travel loads to do sessions in person with international producers and artists, but now we have to link up at weird times, across time zones – it’s different, but technology has been so important in us being able to continue writing, producing and also releasing songs.
When you were releasing music as an artist, did you find it difficult to work and write for other artists?
I never really loved performing as I didn’t have the confidence, but always loved writing and hearing music come to life. I didn’t realise writing was a career to start with, but when I realised you could create the songs but not have to perform I knew that’s what I wanted to do, and I’ve always loved collaborating so writing with and for other artists has always been something I’ve really enjoyed. As a songwriter, it’s also much easier to cross genres which is something that I like to do, whereas as an artist you generally stay in a genre, and that’s what you become known for.
How did you meet Jess Glynne, and did you know at that time that she will become as successful as she’s now?
I was invited as an independent artist/writer to talk to students about different ways of releasing music and getting out there. I met Jess on my way out! We exchanged info and she sent me a SoundCloud link to a couple of songs and her voice just completely stunned me. Also that she had the confidence to go out there and push her music to people. We started writing together whenever and wherever we could. We built a relationship and trusted each other, which is super important when you work with artists. You never know if someone is going to be massively successful, there are so many different stages to go through, and so much is out of anyone’s hands. But I always knew she had talent and passion, and I always wanted to work with her. That was what was important.
Can you tell us about your creative process behind your favourite commercially successful track? What do you think made it so successful?
I had the idea for ‘Hold My Hand’ prior to the session and co-wrote the song with Jess Glynne and Jack from Clean Bandit. Ina Wroldsen then helped with the post hook separately. Collaboration is key. The song concept really resonated with me at the time and I hoped it would touch others also.
When you were releasing music as an artist, did you find it difficult to work and write for other artists?
I never really loved performing as I didn’t have the confidence, but always loved writing and hearing music come to life. I didn’t realise writing was a career to start with, but when I realised you could create the songs but not have to perform I knew that’s what I wanted to do, and I’ve always loved collaborating so writing with and for other artists has always been something I’ve really enjoyed. As a songwriter, it’s also much easier to cross genres which is something that I like to do, whereas as an artist you generally stay in a genre, and that’s what you become known for.
How did you meet Jess Glynne, and did you know at that time that she will become as successful as she’s now?
I was invited as an independent artist/writer to talk to students about different ways of releasing music and getting out there. I met Jess on my way out! We exchanged info and she sent me a SoundCloud link to a couple of songs and her voice just completely stunned me. Also that she had the confidence to go out there and push her music to people. We started writing together whenever and wherever we could. We built a relationship and trusted each other, which is super important when you work with artists. You never know if someone is going to be massively successful, there are so many different stages to go through, and so much is out of anyone’s hands. But I always knew she had talent and passion, and I always wanted to work with her. That was what was important.
Can you tell us about your creative process behind your favourite commercially successful track? What do you think made it so successful?
I had the idea for ‘Hold My Hand’ prior to the session and co-wrote the song with Jess Glynne and Jack from Clean Bandit. Ina Wroldsen then helped with the post hook separately. Collaboration is key. The song concept really resonated with me at the time and I hoped it would touch others also.
When you were releasing music as an artist, did you find it difficult to work and write for other artists?
I never really loved performing as I didn’t have the confidence, but always loved writing and hearing music come to life. I didn’t realise writing was a career to start with, but when I realised you could create the songs but not have to perform I knew that’s what I wanted to do, and I’ve always loved collaborating so writing with and for other artists has always been something I’ve really enjoyed. As a songwriter, it’s also much easier to cross genres which is something that I like to do, whereas as an artist you generally stay in a genre, and that’s what you become known for.
How did you meet Jess Glynne, and did you know at that time that she will become as successful as she’s now?
I was invited as an independent artist/writer to talk to students about different ways of releasing music and getting out there. I met Jess on my way out! We exchanged info and she sent me a SoundCloud link to a couple of songs and her voice just completely stunned me. Also that she had the confidence to go out there and push her music to people. We started writing together whenever and wherever we could. We built a relationship and trusted each other, which is super important when you work with artists. You never know if someone is going to be massively successful, there are so many different stages to go through, and so much is out of anyone’s hands. But I always knew she had talent and passion, and I always wanted to work with her. That was what was important.
Can you tell us about your creative process behind your favourite commercially successful track? What do you think made it so successful?
I had the idea for ‘Hold My Hand’ prior to the session and co-wrote the song with Jess Glynne and Jack from Clean Bandit. Ina Wroldsen then helped with the post hook separately. Collaboration is key. The song concept really resonated with me at the time and I hoped it would touch others also.
(Jin Jin co-wrote 'Hold My Hand' by Jess Glynne)
Do you have a routine when it comes to your creative process?
I don’t have a routine, I’m just constantly thinking of ideas. I get inspiration from newspapers, magazines, books, ads, conversations with friends. I’m constantly writing down ideas, titles and recording out-of-tune voice notes! I think it’s important to experience different things to inform your writing, and also to listen to the people you’re working with. I prefer to write with other people in the room if I’m honest, at least when you’re just starting a song and you’re working with an artist for the first time. I get better energy and focus for the direction of the song that way, rather than being just in my own zone. Although some of my best ideas have come to me outside of the studio and when I’m not focusing on music at all.
Why did you decide to be more involved in the business side of the industry?
I’ve always been interested in the business side since my days at uni, and I’ve always wanted to get involved with artist development to help others realise their potential. I love working on projects super early and watching and helping them develop.
What advice would you give to upcoming songwriters and producers who want to work with successful artists?
Work on your craft daily and aim to work with people you really love and respect and admire - whether they are the biggest artists right now or not. Unsigned or signed, it doesn’t matter.
What’s your opinion on the current situation and its effects on the music industry and music creatives?
I think the recent situation has brought people together. People are more focused and determined and I think the majority of the music industry is thriving from my point of view – across songwriting, record/publishing companies, releasing music. The industry is making the most of the opportunity to think a bit differently and do things differently. I feel really positive about the force and power of creatives at the moment.
Follow Jin Jin on Instagram: @jinjinofficial & Twitter: @jinjinofficia
