Hey Jodie Austen, thanks for taking the time to talk to us today. Could you tell us a little known fact about yourself?

Thank you for having me! A little known fact is that I’ve quietly rebuilt my life from the ground up — more than once — and music has always been the golden thread running through it. I was never the loudest voice in the room growing up, but melody gave me a way to express what I felt most deeply. My songs often arrive with messages — not just to be shared, but to guide me too. I’m here to listen, and to pass them on.

You’ve just released a new single ‘Anyway’, which has such a warm, soulful tone. Can you tell us about the emotional journey behind writing the song?

The first parts of Anyway were actually written as a gift — something I was creating in real time while falling for someone. Then he left… and the rest of the song arrived. I couldn’t finish it until he was gone, which feels quite poetic now — and honestly, we’re glad he left.

The song holds a lot of light — it came through joyfully, and it still feels joyful to sing. And like all good songs, it’s grown with me. Singing it now feels like a shared truth — Anyway is not just my story anymore, but something for anyone who’s ever had to keep going and trust the road.

There’s a real sense of resilience and hope woven into your songwriting — was that intentional from the start or something that evolved with time?

It’s definitely something that’s unfolded with time. I never sit down to write with a big message in mind — it usually arrives emotionally, word by word, like something I’m remembering as I go.

The resilience you hear in my songs has come from life experience. I’ve had to rebuild from hard places — I was abandoned by my family home at 19, and I’ve known what it’s like to leave everything behind to survive. But I don’t write from the wound — I write from what’s grown around it.

I think hope’s always been somewhere in me, though. Even in the darkest moments, there was a quiet part that believed things could get better. Music helped me find that part and give it a voice. Now, I let the songs speak — and they often surprise me with how kind and steady they are.

How did you and producer Ed Graves work together to infuse the song with an acoustic warmth?

Ed has such a beautiful sensitivity as a producer. We recorded at his studio, Rainbow Wood Records, which is surrounded by trees and has this peaceful stillness to it — it’s a beautiful space.

I’d had this song with me for about four years, so when we finally brought it into the studio, it felt ready — like it had already lived a little. I came in with the guitar part and a raw vocal, and Ed really honoured that simplicity. He built the track gently around it, layering harmonies and textures that brought out the emotion without ever overpowering it.

Nothing was forced — it all unfolded naturally. I think that’s where the warmth comes from: we didn’t try to make it perfect, we just let it feel real.

You’ve mentioned influences like Joni Mitchell and Gracie Abrams — what is it about their songwriting that speaks to you?

Both of them write with such emotional clarity. Joni paints entire landscapes with a single line — her lyrics feel like poetry that grew wings. Gracie, on the other hand, has this incredible softness. She lets her vulnerability breathe in a way that’s so current and human.

What draws me in is that neither of them tries to dress anything up — they speak straight from the heart, whether it’s messy or magical. I really admire that. I also find that same honesty in artists like Kacey Musgraves and Sheryl Crow, whose storytelling is both playful and grounded.

I try to do the same in my own way — to write songs that feel like a conversation with the soul.

You’re planning a TikTok campaign to support ‘Anyway’. Is it important for you to make that extra connection with your fans?

Absolutely — connection is everything to me. I’m not chasing trends or trying to go viral; I just want to show up as myself and share the heart behind the music.

TikTok’s such a direct way to connect — it lets people see past the polished version and into the process, the emotion, the story. That’s what I care about most. I want people to feel seen, to hear a lyric and think, “that’s exactly how I feel, but didn’t know how to say it.”

I’ll be sharing moments from the journey — little clips, acoustic versions, maybe even some behind-the-scenes joy. It’s less about pushing the song and more about offering a space where people can find something honest and human.

What’s next for you?

This is just the beginning. I’ve got more songs I’m excited to share, and I’m taking my time to build something meaningful — musically, creatively, and personally.

There’ll be more music, more art, and more moments that bring people together. I’m working on hand-painted merch pieces, planning more live shows, and exploring ways to grow a community around the things I care about: honesty, nature, and connection.

I’m not rushing it — I’m walking it. And I hope that as I do, others feel inspired to walk their path too.

Follow Jodie Austen on Instagram.