AMIRA JAZEERA INTERVIEW: Last month, Palestinian-American songstress, Amira Jazeera, dropped her highly anticipated album, ‘The Amira Diaries’. Blending alternative R&B, Neo-Soul, Dance Pop and global influences drawn from her Arab heritage, Jazeera serves up lush, late-night production and a voice that drips with velvet honesty.
What five words define your sound?
Dreamy, Experimental, Vulnerable, Sassy, Nostalgic.
Tell me something unique about your creative process
I’m actually a nerd for classical music and sometimes when I need inspiration I will pull from Bach or Mozart and interpolate some progressions. I’ve got a sweet spot for some harpsichords.
Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?
I think my song ‘Still Thinkin’ Bout Me’ is a fan favourite – definitely my catchiest and the one you’ll “still be thinkin’ bout” [laughs].
What inspired you to make that song?
I got inspired to write this song as a post breakup anthem for the baddies who know that they will always leave a mark on their exes. The lyrics are sort of like a spell. I produced the beat inspired by classical music mixed with 80’s drums, subtle Arabic percussion, and addictive vocal chops. I’d say it’s even a little seductive.
What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?
I allowed myself to get really vulnerable in my latest album ‘The Amira Diaries’, hence the name. I pulled from real and honest emotions from my own personal struggles I faced in my early 20’s. Everything from surviving an abusive relationship and finding the courage to leave, learning to love my self again, grieving the ongoing genocide of my people, discovering love and strength within my community and reconnecting with my purpose.
I have always used music as a way to cope and to heal. I think as an artist it’s my duty to talk about these things and to be authentic and vulnerable. I just hope these songs connect with people who have gone through similar chapters of these human experiences.
What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?
The best experience I had on stage was when I opened for Tei Shi back in May 2024 and I performed my song ‘Teardrops’ for the first time. ‘Teardrops’ is one of my most vulnerable songs that I wrote as a way to cope with the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Every time I perform that song I ask the audience to put their lights up and a rush of emotions flew over me and it was almost a spiritual experience to connect with the audience in that way.
The worst experience I had on stage was probably for an event I did that was a film festival after show. There weren’t a lot of people there and when I got to performing ‘Teardrops’, I did what I always do – say that the song is dedicated to my people in Palestine and ask the audience to put cell phone lights up. While most people did, there was a crowd in the back just loudly talking the whole time – hello! So rude and disrespectful.
What is your favourite song to perform?
My favourite song to perform is ‘Deadline’! It hasn’t been released yet but it’s on the album – I’m excited for fans who haven’t been to a show yet to finally get to hear it. It’s a moody Poppy power ballad and I get to hit and hold this great high note in the bridge that gets the audience hyped every time.
Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?
Probably Hannah Montana!
What’s the meaning behind your name?
My artist name is Amira Jazeera – My name is Amira, which in Arabic means “Princess” and I actually got the last name “Jazeera” from my brother who goes by Kal Jazeera. That was their screen name as a joke/pun for the news channel “Al Jazeera” and one day in 2018 I just decided to adopt the name. I especially chose to go by that because my brother has always been my #1 supporter and the one who pushed me to pursue being an artist; it stuck with me ever since.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?
If I wasn’t creating music, I think I would get into acting in movies and TV but one day I would like to do both!
What’s success to you?
Honestly, success for me is just to be able to make my art, have my art feed me, share it with the fans and connect with my audience. Knowing I get to make my music and that people can hear it and appreciate it is all the success I need.
What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?
There was a time in my career when I was in a relationship that was romantic and professional – he was my partner and my producer. Once it became unhealthy I had to pivot my career and make some decisions that were super difficult – leaving the relationship for my health and well being also came at the cost of professional projects I’d worked really hard on for a long time that now will never see the light of day. In the end, I’m definitely better for it but it’s still a bummer.
Where can people keep in touch with you?
You can follow me on all social media @amirajazeera and you can sign up for my newsletter at amirajzeera.com to stay posted on my live performances and merch!
Photo by Mollie Ryan
