Jwane‘s ability to design textural complexities and conjure emotions sonically feels like the ushering of a seasoned songwriter, and in some ways, it’s because she is. The Toronto-based singer, songwriter, and producer has been honing her songwriting skills for years before crafting her own music. She attended multiple songwriting camps and projects where she wrote for prominent artists like Cardi B, Ava Max, Blackpink, and Kehlani.

Now she’s stepping out on her own and carving out a distinctive sound that isn’t quite pop, isn’t quite electronic- just uniquely Jwane.

Regardless of only having two tracks out at the moment, there’s an assuredness in the intricate production and smooth vocal delivery on her introduction as an artist. On her debut single “Wildfire,” Jwane gradually builds the ballad sonically and emotionally with piano and electronic elements, while her second track “Pool Rules” expands on the darker, moodier production that Jwane promises will be further explored with upcoming releases.

Before her debut EP drops this summer, Jwane provides some insight into the production process, her multicultural upbringing, and the transition into becoming a songwriter for herself.

Culture Flux: The production on “Wildfire” is very layered and expansive. Do you normally have an overall idea of how the production will sound for a song when you start out working on a track?

Jwane: I usually have a pretty good sense of how high I want the energy of a song to peak, if that makes sense. I base a lot of my production ideas around that. I also spend a lot of time thinking about dynamics and texture, especially when I’m trying to create an arrangement that’s visceral. I’m always trying to break production elements down to a sound that feels primal and undeniable.

Since Euphoria has inspired your cinematic approach to your music, have film and TV shows had a big influence on you?

Yeah, I actually also wrote my first song “Wildfire” to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.  I connect so deeply to characters that it’s become a knee jerk reaction to me to make music that reflects what they’re experiencing. In general, ive always been such a big fan of artists whod broken out through TV shows and movies, like I still remember hearing The Killers and Imogen Heap on The O.C.

Also, I’ll never ever forget hearing “Cosmic Love” by Florence and the Machine for the first time on Grey’s Anatomy. It felt like my whole world just shifted because I’d genuinely never heard music like that before. So yeah, there’s just something about that rush you get when you hear a song in a movie or show that you adore. That’s why I write to things like that.

You’ve attended songwriting camps and have also written songs for other artists. What have those experiences taught you about the music industry and how you want to approach songwriting for your own music?

What I really took away from that experience was figuring out how to balance having a solid structure while still keeping my artistic integrity intact. Like honestly, I learned to just focus on refining my own unique timbre of songwriting. I really believe that when you create a sound that’s undeniable, people naturally want to hear more of it, especially in a situation where it could show up on another artist’s album.

Can you talk about how your multicultural upbringing has influenced the music you make today? Do you feel that it has influenced you sonically as much as it has lyrically?

It’s hard to put into words how much it’s influenced me, and honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s taught me to take what I like and leave the rest, which makes both listening to music and creating it so much fun. Even culturally, I’ve learned how to read different situations, know when to keep quiet, and know what I want to say when I do get the opportunity to say it. Being an immigrant has really shaped my artistry and I’m excited to see how my work evolves as I continue to get to know myself.

You’re from Toronto but have been working on music in LA. How has creating in a different place affected you as an artist?

I think it’s good to remind yourself that there are tons of people out there hustling just like you, so I’d definitely say it’s kept me motivated as an artist.

You have a wide range of musical influences, so was finding your sound challenging?

I feel like I’m still figuring out my sound. Honestly, it still feels a bit like I’m borrowing from my musical influences, but that’s okay. I really admire the artists who’ve influenced me, and if their sound helps shape mine, I’m more than happy to ride that out.

At the end of the day, i just want to keep getting closer to what feels real. People need to believe that you believe what you’re saying, and in that way, I don’t find it challenging at all. I just have to keep trying.

Can you give some insight into how “Pool Rules” came about and why you felt that this should be the next song to follow up “Wildfire?”

I remember one day I just sat down and wrote this progression, and it felt so sweet. It was summer and like this insane golden hour and I think I wrote the whole thing in less than two days. I chose this song because as the EP goes on, it definitely gets darker, and I feel like “Pool Rules” is that shift after “Wildfire.” Almost like the dream starts to deteriorate and like the paint peels and starts to fall. That was my intention at least.

You have an EP coming out this summer. What has the process of making it been like? Is there anything that you learned from making the EP?

I can’t lie, it’s definitely been a journey only because these songs were filled with a lot of detailed sound design and a lot of heavy lifting on vocal production and mixing. I’m really appreciative of the people that worked on them with me because they were a lot of work. Regardless, I’ve really enjoyed the process and I’m super proud of what we’ve created, especially on the production side.

But I’ve come to realize that the most important thing is connecting with listeners. They don’t necessarily care about all the technical stuff, they just want to feel something. and even then I still love creating intense and immersive songs, but after everything we’ve all been through in the last couple of years, I just need to simplify things. So, the biggest lesson I’ve learned lately is how to strip everything down and really just get to it.