Meet Jada Somiah: Musician & Digital Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jada Somiah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jada, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
In my own experience, the things I usually give up on come back around to challenge me again. Or I find that I never really gave up in the first place. There are definitely some exceptions. I always knew to quit something or put a halt to an idea, relationship, or personal behavior when I realized it was destructive to myself or others to keep going. I feel that it also just makes sense to stop doing something if it’s not adding anything positive to my life or other people’s lives. I feel someone should consider the possibilities—both positive and negative, before giving up.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I honestly am not where I want to be professionally, but things have definitely been challenging. So far I’ve learned a couple of tough lessons about music. I just started showing my digital art to other people on instagram so I don’t have much experience in that field.

I’ve been singing for a long time, but I just started writing my own music in 2017. I started recording and producing in 2019.

When I first started writing music I didn’t really understand anything about the business aspect of music. I just didn’t have any information. I’m proud of my first EP, Space Love because I got through the processes. Plus, those songs were the first songs I produced and wrote, so they have a special place in my heart. However, it was really difficult to record and finish this project.

I didn’t realize how cautious I needed to be as a self-managed independent artist. And I didn’t know I needed to know how to go about working with a studio and the do’s and don’t s of working with other producers and artists. Long story short, the lessons I learned:

1) don’t give up your masters to just anyone

2) give credit where credit is due and don’t give credit when nothing is done

3) be open to creating new things

Even though these are big things for me, when I make music, in the moment I don’t think at all about the business aspect because it disturbs my creative energy and my flow. I want to be as genuine as possible in my delivery and my process.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite things in LA are pretty much all food-based because I love to eat! I would definitely suggest a couple of grocery stories firstly.

1) Nijiya market near or on sawtelle is super good! I love their ready-made/prepared food section in the front of the store. I used to go there with my friends to grab lunches for the next day or to grab groceries and snacks. There’s also a great rotating sushi spot next door and a Daiso. Sawtelle is just yummy in general also. So many good places everywhere.

2)I’m a big fan of Rutts Hawaiian diner in Culver City and I think about their Kalua pork everyday. Everytime I went there, they always had a good atmosphere, great food, and kindness to go with it.

3) I love Gushi in Westwood! They always give you a big takeout tray of food when you order. I used to love getting their kalbi, bulgogi, and japchae!

It’s also just always nice to walk in Santa Monica. A lot of pretty spots there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
People encouraged me over the years to start writing my own music, but my friend Neel Foon convinced me to really start.

I also want to shout out my family and friends for supporting me throughout my different creative phases in life.

Instagram: Jadasomiah

Twitter: Jadainspace

Facebook: Jada.somiah.music

Youtube: Jada somiah

Image Credits
Just me! Also I will email them because I don’t think it worked.