Ontario-based pop artist, Andrew Jahn (pronounced – yahn) has unveiled his EP, The Journey Within, which features a diverse collection of songs that hit close to home as they are inspired by his “existential grieving process.”
In 2011, at the age of 17, Jahn was misdiagnosed with “schizoaffective disorder,” which led to detrimental health problems as he was given intense medications that harmed his body.
Jahn calls the EP an “ugly duckling story.”
“To me, this EP shows my resilience and strength while dealing with an impossible situation,” Jahn says.
The Journey Within EP deals with the four main human emotions and experiences related to hope, sorrow, grief, and joy.
Check out the EP below, and find out more about Andrew via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Andrew Jahn! I’m a singer-songwriter, music teacher, and family relief worker from Almonte, Ontario. I just released my first EP, and I’m super excited to share it. I call it
“The Journey Within.”
I’m full of positive energy and lots of dreams. One of my dreams is to make beautiful music AND beautiful people through musical creation and philanthropic endeavours.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
I always use really descriptive lyrics and tell some type of story. I like to keep all of the songs connected in some way. I find inspiration in literature, morality, philosophy, psychology, religion, and fairytales.
This EP is inspired by a medical misdiagnosis experience I had that lasted 9 years. It had major health consequences for me. I questioned where my life was going, and if it was worth living. As a Christian man, I ultimately decided that I would wake up every day and struggle along as an act of faith. I volunteered a lot with youth and disabled individuals. I focused on living and loving the best I could, with the hope that things would improve eventually. I managed to find a way to be positive despite the difficult and painful situation. You can really hear the growth I experienced in each track. My music acknowledges the darker parts of life but maintains a sense of positivity and hopefulness.
My music is meant to be a healing space for listeners. They can be met in a moment where they need hope or understanding. I want to encourage people to work through their struggles and find meaning in life.
This is the secret recipe to the Andrew Jahn sound: I take the Christian upbringing that was full of uber positive music as the basic vibe. Then to add modern spice, I include EDM beats and sounds. I even use classical piano.
After these elements are in place, I add some theatre vocals and soaring orchestral instrumentals. I then let it marinate for 10 years in an existential crisis, and voila. I have Andrew Jahn’s distinct sound.
What have you been doing to keep yourself creative during the pandemic?
The first thing I did was make a plan to keep my mind sharp and stay healthy.
It’s so much easier to write music when I’m taking care of myself. I focus on four areas of health/wellness. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
I eat really healthy. I lift weights in my apartment. I pray my rosary. I keep myself grounded and allow myself to experience the pandemic stress without letting it hinder me.
Keeping myself happy, healthy, and loved allows me to really work on music proactively.
The journey within EP has really helped me keep some sanity. I started the release process in January last year. I have managed to keep recording the music with my producer, Josh Hart, despite lockdown interruptions. It’s helped me stay connected to friends and new friends too.
I also spend a lot of time everyday sight-reading Rachmaninov, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, and Schumann.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
I would suggest “Still Here (Where Are You Fear?)”
It’s a song that is very relatable to any listener. Overcoming fear is a powerful experience. The song is really dark and depressive, yet so light and hopeful. It summarizes the entire EP as it combines both the darkness and light into one track. Everyone has experienced fears and uncertainties and can use some music to inspire them. Whenever I’m afraid of something… I turn on my car, go for a drive, and sing along to my own song. Belting out, “I’m still here, (where are you fear?)” Helps me every time. It’s like my morning routine at this point. That’s why I recommend this one first.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
I’m really digging Justin Bieber’s new vibe. Jaime Fine X Elijah Woods kept me company during Christmas. I like their pop style and soul. I’m very partial to Shania Twain. She’s always current to me, lol! I’m also starting to explore the indie world more. Been listening to Cevilain and Jey Flores’ new music recently.