[FEATURE] VIPER PRESENTS: JAZ KARIS

Born and raised in South-London, Jaz Karis has earned 100M+ global streams and toured with the likes of Raye and Tom Misch. Get more familiar with her via this VIPER interview…

What five words define your sound?

Warm, smooth, personal, sultry and vulnerable.

Tell me something unique about your creative process?

Every song I write is inspired by my own personal experience.

Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?

‘Side Of You’

What inspired you to make that song?

I was really angry [laughs]. That session truly felt like therapy and it was so great to leave everything on the track. 

What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music? 

I think when I wrote ‘Petty Lover’, I had just met Aston (Producer) and literally just came from an argument with my boyfriend at the time, so I decided to be super honest and tell Aston all about it. We came to the conclusion that I actually really wanted to be petty in response to the situation and that’s how the song came about.

What’s the best experience you’ve had on stage?

I think my headline show at Lafayette was an amazing moment. Hearing the crowd scream back my own lyrics and then demand I start the song again was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. 

What is your favourite song to perform?

Currently my favourite song to perform would be ‘Pretty Dreamer’. 

Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?

I think I’d have to say Alicia keys. I started playing the piano really early and ‘Fallin’ was the first song I ever recorded in the studio. I loved Alicia Keys growing up and her music was so inspiring. I also felt like she really represented girls that look like me in the music world.

What’s the meaning behind your name?

Jaz is what I’ve been called my whole life by people that know me (short for Jasmin) and Karis is what my mum actually wanted to name me. 

If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?

I think I’d be working with kids during the day, an author in the evening and with animals on the weekend. 

What’s success to you?

Success to me, is complete freedom.

What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?

When I decided to go to The BRIT school. I knew that by sacrificing other subjects at school and completely dedicating my time to music was a massive risk, but something I am so glad I did. 

Where can people keep in touch with you? 

Instagram – @jaz_karis 

Tiktok- @jaz_karis

Twitter – @jaz_karis