Jaclyn Hull, aka JAXXEE, seamlessly weaves through the rich tapestry of music history, blending the timeless allure of blues and soul with contemporary soundscapes to create a truly unique and entrancing musical journey. Her journey as a musician is a testament to her passion and dedication. Discovering her voice later in life, she has since embarked on a remarkable musical odyssey. Her sultry vocals are a force of nature, transcending eras and touching the deepest corners of the soul. With raw power and genuine emotion, JAXXEE‘s voice becomes an instrument of transformation, carrying her listeners to a place where trip-hop and funk merge in perfect unity.

On the new single, “so tired,” she delves deep into the universal experience of late-night self reflection. Exhausted from that constant feeling of not being enough, it is a plea for some relief. Recording live off the floor forced JAXXEE out of her comfort zone as she and producer Neil James Cooke-Dallin did things on the fly. She learned that this is the thing that makes her unique – singing from her heart and soul with the power and emotion held deep within.

1. Tell us the story of this song?

I was driving and my daughter was playing her music and I heard the line ‘I’ve been so tired’ in the song she was playing (Let Go by Ark Patrol). I was heading into the studio the next day, and had a whole different song planned, but I couldn’t get this chorus out of my head and the lyrics came to me very quickly. I believed so many people could relate to this feeling of being ‘so tired.’ We are all so busy running around in the rat race; we all could just use a good night’s sleep. I know for myself, I am haunted by late-night introspection, overthinking and listening to that inner voice with its constant message that I am not enough.

The lyrical questions posed in the song echo this emotional turbulence – pondering whether faltering leads to fading, or perhaps acting too boldly risks losing those around you. In the second verse, the song scrutinizes the façade we often put up, especially in the context of our social media-driven world. It questions the authenticity of what’s presented, wondering if what we see is genuine or merely a charade, and if the smiles we wear conceal the depths of our pain.

2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)? 

I wanted the video to be real, honest, raw and authentic to stay true with the roots of my artistry. So what better way than to capture and share the day in which we arranged and recorded the song at Burning Rainbow Studios. I had hired some of the best studio musicians on the West Coast and this video documents us all playing together for the first time. The song needed a classic soul vibe, and we recorded with this era in mind. Recording in a live off the floor style pushed me beyond my comfort zone, requiring me to adapt on the fly. I wanted the video to tell the story of a truly memorable day working in an incredibly supportive environment.

3. What was the process of making this video?

I had spent a lot time on Instagram researching and finding videos that captured the vibe and recording styles that appealed to me. I was particularly inspired by the Mahogany Sessions. I wanted to capture close up magical moments of the musicians in their element and those details of them playing on the guitar, keys etc. I shared these ideas and examples with videographer Shane Battley, who had worked closely with my producer Neil James Cooke-Dallin before. Shane immediately understood and came in on recording day ready for it all and stayed the whole 4-hour session. From there, I left it in Shane’s very capable hands and I was pretty much ready to sign off upon receiving his first edit. I loved the essence and story that was told in the video right away.