Toronto Artist Leah Jane expresses deep emotion in “Scarlet Letter”
Leah Jane has released her latest heart-wrenching single, “Scarlet Letter,” a song that delves into the profound emotions and inner turmoil of a toxic relationship. Released under Spooky Action Records, “Scarlet Letter” is now available to stream and download on all platforms worldwide.
With “Scarlet Letter,” Leah Jane opens up about the harrowing journey through the dissolution of a relationship. The song poignantly addresses the shame, rejection, and liberation that come with moving on. Her lyrics, “My shame has washed away, no longer haunted by the lies you fed me, wish we could’ve just stayed friends, what a complex ending,” navigate the listener through the storm of emotions that accompany a breakup. The song’s expressive vocals convey the depth of hurt, the resentment towards the one who caused the pain, and the bravery it takes to advocate for oneself and establish boundaries. Leah Jane, alongside producers Alex Biro (Selfish Things) and Mike Tompa (Silverstein), crafts a story that resonates with feelings of closure and optimism for what lies ahead. Leah Jane further elaborates on the song’s essence, describing “Scarlet Letter” as a reflection on the isolation and judgment faced after revealing her vulnerabilities. The track discusses the consequences of being ostracized and labeled, shedding light on themes of slut-shaming and the hypocrisy of certain self-proclaimed feminists.
“It’s a song about slut shaming, about the modern fake-feminist, nail-painting fuck-boy,” Leah Jane asserts, highlighting the song’s relevance to contemporary social issues.
“Scarlet Letter” offers insight into Leah Jane’s artistic journey and marks a significant step in her evolution as an artist. The single promises to hook listeners with its heartfelt narrative and sets the stage for Leah Jane’s future projects.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi:) I’m Leah Jane, a singer/songwriter based in Toronto, but my roots are in Newfoundland. Growing up, music was just a part of everyday life. It’s always been around me, and a huge part of the culture at home. I write indie-pop songs, but I was heavily influenced by folk and rock when I was younger. I’m currently working on my EP, Nottingham Drive, which is coming out this summer. I’m so blessed to be working with some incredible mentors and writers. I’ve been waiting so long to share music, I’m super pumped.
Tell us a bit about your new release “Scarlet Letter.”
“Scarlet Letter” was written at my kitchen table. It started as a completely different concept than what it is now. But once I found the lyrics, I knew exactly the story I was telling. I immediately sent it to my manager who then ran over to finish it. I was in love with it then, and I’m in love with it now. Definitely one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written… mostly because of the beautiful string section that was added when we got into the studio.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
Lyrics come slower to me than melody, so I try to make a habit of freewriting every morning. That way, I have a sort of well I can dive into and use when melodies come to me. Sometimes, I’ll write a poem and add a melody afterward. But lately, I’ve been finding the music first and adding words later.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
We have a summer show in the works, maybe a smaller one in the spring too. We’re definitely doing live videos for “Scarlet Letter” and “Paper Crown,” as well. 🙂
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
When we wrote “Paper Crown.” It was my very first writing camp and the first song we wrote. It was a super big moment for me because I finally found a sound I really resonated with. I knew I wanted to release it with my project immediately. Not to mention writing it was extremely therapeutic.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
There are so many amazing artists in Toronto. I can’t even believe I’m surrounded by them sometimes. DEFINITELY check out “Butterflies” by Quiet and “VICTIM!” by Cindë.