A singer-songwriter and guitarist based on the Sunshine Coast, JaZZella has self-taught herself to play music.
When she was 17, JaZZella decided to launch her own music business, organising a stack of tours – both in Australia and overseas – performing thousands of shows since. Last year, she released her first original music with two singles: 'Shoot' and 'You Ma Dude'.Inspired by artists such as Amy Winehouse, BENEE and Mac Miller, JaZZella's newest single is the rootsy, dubby-flavoured 'Quit Bitchin'' – a song about toxic friendships circles – and is the third offering from her upcoming debut album 'StarZ & GuitarZ', which is set for release later in 2022.
Ahead of her appearance at Sunshine Sounds Festival next month (alongside a number of other live appearances), we get to know JaZZella better.
Who is JaZZella... Hey guys. I am a touring musician from the Sunshine Coast. I grew up busking on the streets of Mooloolaba until at 17 I decided to self-manage my first music tour along the east coast of Australia.
I spent three months performing in every town along the coastline from Cairns to Sydney. Since then I have performed thousands of shows while travelling around the world and writing original music.
I sound like... A mixture of pop/ soul/ jazz/ reggae/ R&B and rap music. If Amy Winehouse, Mac Miller and BENEE had a sound baby! Random I know!
My first gig was... At three years old when I sang the Australian anthem at a political conference.
When did you settle on your artist name, and was it a unanimous decision... My artist name was settled on Monday 2nd June 1997; the day I was born when my parents named me JaZZ Ella (after Ella Fitzgerald the jazz singer).
In the studio I usually... Always come prepared with three essentials. 1: The best organic lunch for everybody! 2: Vanilla/ caramel scented candles for the day. 3: My laminated studio day plan (lyrics, chords, key, bpm, production ideas, etc.).
If I could tour with anyone... Tash Sultana! All the way! They are such an awesome chick in the Australian music industry and would be a dream to tour with! The off-stage jams while on the road and when just chilling between shows would be amazing.
Social media is... Impossible to keep up with. So just post when you want to share and forget the pressure.
My favourite app at the moment is... The calculator app to calculate my earnings.
To date my most embarrassing moment was the time... Once my band gee'd up the crowd to cheer me into a ripping guitar solo on stage.
Just as the spotlight hit me my guitar strap fell off and I looked like a fumbling mess, almost dropping SparkleZ (my guitar) and hitting only bung, terrible notes as I tried to play it cool and continue on. Worst guitar solo ever.
Life on the road can be... Sooo comfy if you're in the right vehicle! Don't make the same mistake that I did by buying a convertible that barely fits your guitar let alone a PA (I made it work though).
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that our rider contains... An amazing selection of tea and honey and lemon.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Living in a house with my little brother and sister for their teenage years.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Beyonce because who wouldn't listen to Queen B?!
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Amsterdam! I love the buzzing small town vibe and the quirky little streets and canals lit up with fairy lights. I'm always super inspired to write music in this city and it's only a short train ride away from London, Paris or any of my favourite countries in Europe.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra. It would be the dinner party of a lifetime – I can just imagine the banter and us all singing together around the table.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook for us? The best organic spaghetti bolognaise or Spanish chorizo pasta dish of your life. With fresh basil and chilli from the garden, parmesan cheese and a great shiraz.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I'm a lover! I have two, big-old cuddly twin cats called Taco and Burrito.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Your finest shiraz. My band members know me as ShiraZZella.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... This morning for my 5am sesh.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Organising my wardrobe.
Do you have any phobias... I have a belly button phobia. I wish I could say this is a joke but it's not. It's called omphalophobia. Basically I can't stand seeing or touching a belly button (whether it's mine or anybody else's). Look it up!
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I have had a few experiences with musical reality TV shows. In both 2013 and 2014 I was on 'X Factor Australia'. I didn't get a music career from the show, but I did meet my hottie boyfriend Chris Ah Gee.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? I love to change the time on Chris' phone to disorientate him. It's a hilarious prank!
Once I put his clock forward three hours while he was sleeping. He woke up thinking he was late and it took him almost a full day before he realised he had been pranked.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Ummm it's the Sunshine Coast. . . nothing is open! If you want a midnight feed the only option is a 7/11 servo!
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. Efficient, sassy and stubborn ;)
Last show you binge-watched? Currently binge-watching the latest season of 'Stranger Things' on Netflix.
Sunshine Sounds Festival takes place at Eumundi Showgrounds (Sunshine Coast) 29-30 July.
JaZZella 2022 Tour Dates
Sun 5 Jun - The Dock (Sunshine Coast)Sun 19 Jun - Eat Street Northshore (Brisbane)
Sun 26 Jun - HOTA Gallery Rooftop (Gold Coast)
Fri 1 Jul - Fridays Riverside (Brisbane)
Sat 30 Jul - Sunshine Sounds Festival (Sunshine Coast)
5-7 Aug - Great Barrier Reef Festival (Airlie Beach)
Sat 3 Sep - Summer Escape Fest @ NightQuarter (Sunshine Coast)
Fri 28 Oct - Island Vibe Festival (Brisbane)
