Growing up on the Surf Coast of Australia, Jasmin Adria found her profound connection to music through the lyrical honesty of artists like Joni Mitchell, Courtney Barnett, Janis Joplin, and Angie McMahon. For Adria, songwriting is a documentary approach to life, seeing her music as "memories and nicknacks collected from things that she feels, sees and experiences."
Adria’s passion for music was cultivated early, thanks to a family who always had music playing. She recalls her father consciously introducing her to "women who rocked and played guitar," even before she had any musical ambitions. Her early obsession, however, was with Avril Lavigne, whom she wanted to emulate. Her desire to be a performer stemmed from a love of attention and a wish to make her family proud. A major turning point occurred at age eight when she put her hand up to sing in front of the whole school, believing she wouldn't be picked, only to be chosen. "Once I got a taste of singing I was locked in," she recalls, leading her to hound her parents for a guitar on her seventh birthday. Her songwriting began at age eleven with a song about her first friendship breakup, and her first finished song was inspired by a quote she read in a Lonely Planet book for kids: “Be yourself everybody else is already taken.”
The artist’s current life is a complex balancing act, juggling two worlds: "city life and coastal regional life," all while being moulded around her music career and her full-time studies in a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Music Industry at RMIT Melbourne. She currently lives down the Surf Coast in Jan Juc and commutes to uni. Outside of her music and studies, she enjoys photography, browsing art exhibitions, and "a nice cheeky coffee with mates." Her career has already included significant milestones, such as being approached by ABC’s Behind The News to interview Paul Kelly in 2019, having her song ‘Brown Skies’ become an "Eco Anxiety call for help" in 2022, which led to her featuring in Triple J's 'Class of 2022,' and playing major festivals such as Port Fairy Folk Festival and Queenscliff Music Festival in 2024. She has also performed and worked alongside artists such as Ben Lee, Ainslie Wills, The Belair Lip Bombs, and Bones and Jones.
Adria’s sound is defined by constant evolution and her current listening habits. Early songwriting was rooted in '90s grunge covers and Aussie indie. Pre-COVID, her music was characterised by "darker chords and deeper toned singing" paired with things she saw in the world. During the pandemic, she discovered Joni Mitchell and began listening to a lot of Kate Miller-Heidke, which shifted her style, finding herself "trying to sing in a higher register and write songs with different lyrical and melodic patterns." Now, her music is heavily inspired by artists such as Ruby Gill, Courtney Barnett, De Porsal, and Carole King. She notes that performing regularly with a band since age 18 has fundamentally changed her approach to writing songs and putting parts together.
Her creative process usually starts with the music. She sits with her guitar, records herself improvising chords and singing on her voice memos, and then jots down any lyrics she likes. She notes that sometimes she has to learn her songs afterward because she likes how they sound immediately. She also keeps a book with her to collect ideas, lyrics, and interesting things she sees, hears, and thinks could work in a song.
Adria loves different shows for different reasons, but a major highlight was the launch of her old project, Paisley Lace. The energy and vibes were "so insane" and they packed out the venue, calling it one of her favourite days of her life and a gig that "changed my stage presence style forever." Her "worst gig" story, however, perfectly encapsulates the artist's hustle. Her first show at The Gaso was so memorable it inspired her song ‘Metro Supermarket’. She was booked to take photos that night but was asked last minute to fill in for a cancellation. Uncomfortable after having to borrow gear for the rock/grunge band night, she got off stage after the poorly received folk set, walked straight to the dressing room, started writing the song, and then cried in the metro supermarket while browsing the shelves.
Despite the chaos, she finds immense joy on stage. Her favourite song to perform is currently 'Joni’s Blues,' which she and her band have begun playing with a new "fun, cheeky, and boppy" form, even though the song is about her first panic attack (an experience made worse by watching the Joni Mitchell scene in Love Actually). She feels proud to mention one of her favourite musicians in her own songs. When performing, she often channels her musical performance heroes from the 1970s—Stevie Nicks, David Bowie, and Cher. She loves a bold look, sparkles, and flowing fabrics, aspiring one day to own a Bob Mackie sparkly suit.
Alice’s perspective is grounded in authenticity and a critical view of the industry. Her best advice is a philosophical one: "You can't control the winds but you can control the sails." She would hope there was "more diversity within the nooks and crannies," noting that it’s "crazy how many all white cis male lineups, producers and bookers there are," though she is excited that as a woman working within the industry, "things are changing." She feels the internet has helped musicians "find their people, fans, and communities," but notes she still faces the challenge of over-saturation and shortened attention spans.
Her final message to her fans is a promise: “Thank you for listening and believing in my music. I promise more music is coming."
What’s Next?
Adria has been working hard in the studio, recording new songs and collaborating with different teams on music videos and content. This process has made her "think of my art differently," which she is enjoying. She hints at a future with "hopefully some more music and perhaps a headline show."