Hot on the heels of her latest single "Bounce", Brad popped on the phone for a chat with Samantha Jade for our latest q&a.
She chats about her plans for her upcoming album project, connecting with Guy Sebastian on the duet version of "Choir" and any potential return to reality television.
Naturally, you’ll be wanting to bounce right onto this one.
Q. Hi Samantha. How are you feeling today?
A. Feeling good! I’ve got a fever today but pushing through.
Q. Congratulations on the new track! "Bounce" was most added to radio and is featured on Spotify. Have you been surprised by the reaction so far?
A. Definitely. I don’t think you ever know how a song is going to do – you just hope for the best. When we heard it was most added – that was just so exciting. As a team as we worked really hard for it.
Q. It’s just such a fun track!
A. It is! It’s got such a fun vibe and i think everybody that hears it actually really does feel that. It’s been really nice to play it to everybody and see the reaction physically.
Q. What’s inspired the track? Your fiancé perhaps…?
A. Of course, but it’s also about love in general. The bridge is such a favourite part of mine where it says love harder love faster. It’s not just about the relationship side of love, it’s also about loving yourself harder and loving life harder and giving all you can. I think in the climate we’re in now, self-love is something we all need to keep learning to do.
Q. Totally! And it’s been four years since your last original album. Why do you think it’s taken until now to get to "Bounce"?
A. I think sometimes it just takes time to write. A lot of the time we’re chasing radio and taking on other projects. I really wanted to write an album that is cohesive as a body of work and so i took the time to really do that.
Q. You’re an amazing songwriter – some of your biggest hits – "Soldier", "Up" and "Firestarter" – have been written by you. I wonder if songs have been pitched to you that you haven’t written?
A. Definitely! "Shake That" was actually written by Babyface and Carmen Reece who i worked with on "Always" and "Bounce" as well! If i love the track pitched to me and connect to it then i’m never opposed to taking it on, but this time around i felt like i had a lot to say and wanted to write about it. It was an important part of the process for this album.
Q. Hearing you talk makes me so excited for the upcoming album. Is it ready to go?
A. Almost! The tough part now is actually going through and culling because you’ve got all these songs that you’re semi married to and then you’ve got to let some go.
Q. What can we expect – will it be in the same vibe as "Bounce"?
A. Yeah, definitely. It has that r&b kind of vibe that still falls into the pop umbrella. I think "Bounce" has that little bit of an urban influence that has influenced me my whole life.
Q. For the video you’ve done complete choreography. What was it like filming it?
A. Oh my God, it was so much fun. And when i wrote this song i saw the video in my head. I wanted pink, yellow and white and a lot of amazing dancing. It was actually a really amazing moment to walk on to set and see the vision come to life.
Q. Just recently Guy asked you to sing with him on "Choir", which is so lovely. The song is a positive take on grief. Was it a tough song to sing?
A. It’s beautiful. It’s such a beautiful song already. Obviously, it’s about something that’s close to my heart that i’ve experienced. Singing about loss in such a positive way is such a beautiful spin on what can be such a dark time. I really really love "Choir". It was an absolute honour to jump on that song with Guy who i think is one of the best male vocalists.
Q. You’ve worked with Pitbull, Cyrus, Guy and now the City Girls who feature on the remix of "Bounce". Do you have any plans to collaborate with anyone else on the upcoming album?
A. I can’t say – my lips are sealed! But I do love a collaboration. I feel like if you can get someone else to add to your to your song then i’m never opposed to it.
Q. I’m really enjoying your "Explain Yourself" videos. For those who haven’t seen it – why were you singing the american national anthem at an NFL match?
A. It was kind of my thing for a while going around singing the american national anthem which was petrifying. That video in particular was one of my first times singing and i can’t even tell you the nerves i had. It was probably the biggest crowd i ever sang to while living in the States.
Q. You also uploaded a rendition of Britney Spears’ "Sometimes", which is stunning. Do you intend on posting any more covers to your page?
A. Yeah! I think that’s something that’s really fun. I love singing those songs, we were singing them anyway and i was like: "Why don’t we start posting these?". We’ve gotten really good responses from them.
Q. Something that i thought was pretty funny is that so many people were convinced that you were on "The Masked Singer Australia".
A. Oh my Gosh. I know. Literally everybody – I was getting texts from family members going: "How come you haven’t told me?" So funny!
Q. Could you ever see yourself on reality television again? Maybe "I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here Australia"?
A. I know for a fact i’d be out the first week. I would be useless in that scenario. I could see myself as a judge on a talent show. I feel like that’s something i would really love to do. I think it’s about the right time – I was on "The X Factor" Australia" seven years ago…
Q. …And you had a whole career before "The X Factor Australia" as well! You have accomplished so much at such a young age. Is there anything else you have on your wish list?
A. Thank you. I mean, i definitely would love to tour somewhere outside of Australia to represent our incredible country. That’s always a dream. Also i would love to do more acting as i really enjoy it.
Q. I can see you as this big star in UK / Europe. I think your sound just makes so much sense there. Lastly is there anything you would like to say to anyone reading this?
A. I just want to say thank you to anyone who is still supporting me after all this time. I feel like the music industry is not an easy industry and to still be making records and for them to be heard is really incredible. So i’m very appreciative for the love.
Q. Thank you so much for your time. Nice to talk to you again and i will see you at the "ARIAs".
A. Yes. I’ll see you soon then! Thank you very much.
Samantha Jade’s single "Bounce" is available at all digital music providers now.