Music Q&A with Jaguar Jonze
Photo by She is Aphrodite
Earlier this year, Taiwanese-Australian artist, Jaguar Jonze, released her album, BUNNY MODE via Nettwerk Music Group! In this Q&A, Jaguar Jonze talked about the album, her activism for survivors of abuse and marginalized communities, and so much more! To purchase BUNNY MODE on vinyl, you can do so HERE.
Earlier this year, you released your debut album, BUNNY MODE. Congratulations on the release! What does this album mean to you?
BUNNY MODE is incredibly personal. It was created alongside my public journey and recovery, overcoming a sexual assault by two producers in the music industry, and my subsequent advocacy for the Australian music industry to look at its systemic issues and establish safer workplaces for all of us to work in. I wrote it for other survivors to find a safe refuge and empower them to redefine their trauma and take back their power. That's what BUNNY MODE is for me as well.
BUNNY MODE came out of my 3 year advocacy on the frontlines of the #metoo movement in the Australian music industry after my sexual assault by two music producers. It has been a really difficult journey but through this process of speaking up and fighting for others, I have grown so much as a person and artist. I’m so proud of BUNNY MODE as it captures the trajectory from being a survivor with no power, to a fighter with something to say.
You spend some time with activism for survivors of abuse and marginalized communities. What is one thing you have learned during your activism? What is something the rest of us can do to help?
Find safety and seek professional help. Establishing a safe and supportive network and equipping yourself with the tools and techniques to begin the healing process is important. It's difficult and a lot of hard work, but it is worth it. It's an up and down journey, and it feels like you constantly have to push yourself up a steep mountain, but if you take those baby steps and give yourself the love you deserve, you'll soon look back and see a whole terrain of mountains that you've been able to conquer.
For the last two years I’ve been an advocate in fighting for a safer environment within the music industry, as a leader of our own #metoo moment. This meant that I had to sacrifice my artistry to advocate. With my new music, I wanted to take back my power, take back my voice and take back my artistry. I wanted it to represent my anger, where my boundaries now lie and display my fight and resilience. Survivors together, with our voice and strength, have created real change and this time I get to use my music and art to speak my truth.
I think it is important for all of us to check our own power and use our platforms to amplify marginalized voices and be allies. We all have power in different spaces and rooms and it should never go unchecked.
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
After all of my advocacy, I had a musician that I’ve listened to since high school tell me just recently while I was in LA that I will be able to say so much more with my artistry and to not forget to put myself and my artistry first. It seems so simple but it meant so much to me as I grappled with where I should be putting my time and energy. I deserve to explore and prioritize my artistry like every other artist that enters the industry.
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
I have had to learn self-care and what that means for me. I’ve been raised on survival and hustling to get above the poverty line that I constantly just burned myself into the ground. These days, when I’m feeling down, I don’t feel guilty for taking time off to spoil myself. Go for walks, have a massage, order a ridiculous degustation of food off UberEats or binge trashy reality TV shows. I also have realized that I have an amazing community of fans (I call them Cubs) and I lean on them and consider them like family. I have a private chatroom with my Patreon cubs and it is such a safe and supportive environment where we can all be vulnerable and find a soft landing space. I think that is super important.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
A lot of hard work has gone into my music and all the art around it. I feel like my path has been a slow build, and I am proud of that. It hasn't been a quick fix, viral moment, or hype. I hope to show other artists that there are many paths to a successful and sustainable career in art. I don't feel like I'm quite there yet, but I'm determined to keep chipping away until I get there. Love yourself and believe in your dreams, because fuck living a life you don’t love or living it for others.