‘This has been such an amazing experience,’ says Adrian
Jaime Adrian releases the first album he’s written and recorded on Friday, January 26, bringing a sound that is “really fun and catchy.”
‘No Agenda’ is a 14-song release from Adrian, a Chicago resident, who delivers 12 songs that he wrote, along with a remix of ‘Feed My Ego’ and one cover song.
“So far, everyone really likes what they have heard, so I’m excited for everyone to hear the rest of the songs because they are very different from anything anyone has heard,” he said. “The thing that stands out the most about the album is that it’s really fun and catchy. Every song has its own vibe, but at the same time, it just works.
Adrian’s favorite is “Belong,” which he said is, “everyone’s anthem and it applies to so many people … and I made it really hard to sing.”
The album also features “Jaded,” a song Adrian wrote about his obsession with English singer/songwriter Jade Thirlwall. “It’s a tribute song,” he said. “She is one of my idols, so writing a song about my love for this goddess is the least I could do.”
Another song of note is “Howl At The Moon,” in which Adrian “(uses) Mother Nature as the bad guy who is trying to stop you from winning at life,” he said.
“If You Could Read My Mind” is Adrian’s cover of a 1990s dance song. “This song reminds me (of) fun times in life. Such a great beat and so much fun to sing along with,” he said. “I was shocked I was able to record it. The song is iconic, so I’m very thankful I got to do it.”
Adrian’s pop album shows that he was able to test his vocal ability – and pass. “I’ve always been too scared to go for it, but, with songs like G.I. Joe, Belong, Howl At The Moon and Jaded, I really go for those big notes and I’m very proud of them.”
Adrian is working on music videos for several of the songs from his album, including one filmed at Chicago’s Cell Block bar.
“This has been such an amazing experience,” to produce, he said. “I am so thankful for the people who have been there for me through the entire ride. Big shout out to Sidetrack, where I work, for helping me see the finish line and reminding me how important this. They made me take it seriously and now look at where we are at.”
“No Agenda” is a new album by Jaime Adrian, a singer-songwriter who once appeared on Fox-TV’s The X Factor. The album is his debut and features songs that are inspired by a range of house music genres, including the artist’s reimagining of the iconic dance track, “If You Could Read My Mind.”
Born in Chicago, Jaime Adrian was raised by his mother after his father passed away when he was 17. His appearance on The X Factor did not go as planned. Although judge Demi Lovato complimented his voice, LA Reid likened his performance to karaoke. Lovato came to his defense, suggesting that Jaime simply selected the wrong song to sing. Jaime took her advice to heart and now writes and performs his own music. He recently discussed his new album and more via an exclusive interview.
Meagan Meehan (MM): How did you discover your gift for music?
Jaime Adrian (JA): I knew from a young age that I wanted to sing. I was always told to choose another path but I kept at it. It wasn’t until I was older that I knew my quirks would be the thing that people really liked about me. Music was always my safe space and as an adult, I want to be able to give that space to everyone else.
MM: How did you find your signature style?
JA: My signature style just happened. I didn’t know I sang a certain way until people brought it up. I sang my songs like no one was there. Randomly, people started to imitate my Adrianisms and I was like, “oh, is that what I sound like?” I love doing runs. I never thought I’d love singing in falsetto but I love switching from chest to head voice for no reason.
MM: What was it like to appear on The X Factor?
JA: Initially, amazing, but over ten years later I’m just upset that the other judges made me look horrible in front of Britney Spears, a woman I have always idolized. That’s what killed me. I thank Britney every day for what she did to pop music and the judges made me feel horrible. But, I am thankful that I get to say I sang a Britney song to Britney Spears. Who the hell can say that?!
MM: Why do you think the song you selected to sing didn’t work with your voice?
JA: Auditioning for producers is so different than being on the show. I performed my balls off for the producers in my key and it worked. When you get on the show, there is no dress rehearsal, just a lot of ‘go there’ and’ say this’ and ‘talk about that’. So, when I got on stage with the track my nerves kicked in and it came off like karaoke. I’ve learned my lesson about rearranging songs to benefit me.
MM: How did you start writing your own music?
JA: I didn’t have a choice. My producer, Velvet Code, who I love, said: “You’re an artist and I trust you doing this on your own.” He guided me throughout the process and I’m very thankful for that.
MM: What typically comes to you first, the lyrics or the melody?
JA: Both! I get my best lyrics and melody when I walk my dogs. But the idea of what to write about is always changing. My song, “Belong,” was totally different when I started writing it. It evolved on its own.
MM: Out of all your songs, which are your personal favorites?
JA: I love “Belong” because that’s the song where I reference my weird quirkiness! I have learned to not give a crap about people’s opinions! We are who we are and we don’t need to give people an explanation. I live for my song, “Jaded.” I wrote it about one of my favorite popstars, Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix. We gays have our queens and I think the least I could do for her is dedicate a song about how gagged I am by her, well, everything! I actually got to party with her in Manchester and it was everything I dreamed of and more!
MM: How did you come up with the title for this album?
JA: I was talking to Velvet Code about my intentions and I said I’m not trying to change people’s mind about anything. I have no agenda, I just wanna bring Y2K pop music back.
MM: What music video ideas do you have for these songs and which ones are you most excited about filming?
JA: My dream is to get Jade Thirlwall to give me her blessing and direct the video for her song. She can do whatever she wants. Just being in her presence would be enough for me.
MM: What is the best part of being a musical artist?
JA: My favorite part so far is having people who I think are fans tell me their kids have my music on repeat! I want to show the younger generation that they are going to change the world and I’m here to help.
MM: What are your ultimate musical and/or career goals?
JA: Music aside, I want to open a dog sanctuary. Dogs are my life and I want to make sure that I can save as many pups as I can. Musically, I wanna be someone that people can say they wanna be like! I remember being a kid and saying I wanna be like Britney or Ricky Martin. I wanna be that for someone.
MM: What is coming up next for you?
JA: I’m just going to see where the album takes me. I worked really hard and I wrote the entire thing, minus one song. All I want is for people to enjoy the music and wake up in the morning singing my creations. I am going to keep working hard to give everyone the popstar that they didn’t know they needed.
Out artist Jaime Adrian grew up on the east side of Chicago in a predominantly Mexican and very Catholic neighborhood. Kids often made fun of him for being different, calling him feminine and belittling his love of singing as “not something a real man would do”. In “Lollipop,” the first single release from his upcoming album, Jaime Adrian claps back at all of the negative nellies who have tried to quash his spirit through the years. With it’s a catchy and upbeat Latin/ reggaeton sound, “Lollipop” is sure to inspire everyone to the dancefloor. We caught up with Jaime at his home in Chicago. Mark Bloom:Is “Lollipop” is a Suck-U track? Jaime Adrian: (Laughing) It definitely is! It’s a suck-u to all the people who go out of their way to bring others down. I wanted to give music fans a song that they could relate to and maybe dance off the hate to at clubs or in their rooms. MB: What made you a target for neighborhood bullies on Chicago’s east side? JA: Just breathing made me a target! It started in 4th grade. I had no idea what a fruit cake was but that’s what I was called. I was bullied for random things like my hair and because my asthma prevented me from playing sports. I didn’t act like the other boys in school and that meant that something was wrong with me. MB: Did you have the support of your family? JA: My mom and siblings supported
me. I had certain relatives bully me, though, telling me how to sit on a chair like a man and how to wear my socks like a man. I would take my shirt off and they would call me fat. You know how that story goes. Nothing I did was right. MB: Can you describe the trauma that results for a young boy being judged as not manly enough? JA: The trauma stunts your mental growth. I have anxiety attacks when I’m taking the train home to visit my extended family. I still feel like they are pointing, staring, and talking about how fem I am and how gay I look. If I go to straight clubs, I have panic attacks because all the memories come rushing back. MB: Yet you somehow found the strength to put yourself in front of some of the harshest judges on TV’s The X Factor. How did you manage that? JA: I am a longtime fan of the X Factor UK and when I heard they were casting the American version, I was determined to be on the show. I didn’t care about anything or anyone’s opinion. This was my dream. MB: Was meeting Britney Spears
everything you imagined it would be? JA: Britney spears is my idol. She is the reason I wanted to become a popstar. Meeting her didn’t go as planned. She didn’t say anything rude or much at all. MB: She was going through a rough emotional period during the second season of the show. JA: I wish I knew what she was going through. That may have changed my entire song selection process. MB: Why did you choose to audition with a Britney Spears song? JA: Choosing what to sing on a reality show is a process that no one really knows about. I originally planned to audition with songs by Ricky Martin, Jay Sean, and Ne-Yo, but the show couldn’t get them cleared. Once Britney signed on as judge, the producers told me I should sing one of her songs
Jaime Adrian was born on the east side of Chicago. His mother raised him and his little brother and sister on her own. It was a Mexican and very Catholic neighborhood and kids made often fun of Jaime for being different. They called his love of singing “not something a real man would do” and for years, they managed to silence his voice.
Until The X Factor came calling. Jaime Adrian flew to Kansas City and was the first person in line for the season two auditions of the televised competition show. He arrived with a blue mohawk, claiming to be the male Britney Spears. A few weeks after performing for the preliminary judges, he learned he had made it to the live show auditions! “When I got to the arena, I was told by a producer to speak only to Britney and serenade her with one of her own songs.” Listening to the producer’s advice would prove to be his first blunder.
His anxiety was through the roof. Jaime recalls meeting Britney, Britney asking him a few questions, him gushing of how she was his biggest idol, Britney looking confused and then him breaking into one of her signature songs that was way out of his vocal register.
L.A. Reid called Jaime’s performance horrible karaoke. Music manager Louis Walsh questioned why he would dare insult Britney by obliterating one of her songs. Demi Lovato was the only judge to come to Jaime’s defense, telling Jaime that he was a good singer but that it was the wrong song for his voice, which he knew, but had only attempted because the show’s producer told him he had to.
“I learned that day that competition shows like The X Factor aren’t interested in making my dreams come true, they’re about making good TV for viewers.” He realized that he had been tricked by the producer into making a fool of myself for a funny soundbite.
He spent the rest of the day crying in his hotel room from embarrassment. He stopped singing after that. “Once again, I allowed bullies to silence my voice.”
It wasn’t until 2020 when he moved back to Chicago, met producer Velvet Code, and signed with the music label, So Fierce Music, that Jaime began to find his voice again. “With Velvet’s help, I have been able to discover the kind of artist I want to and can be. I’ve become comfortable with who I am and what I have to offer.”
Today, he draws inspiration from Euro Pop, the infectious rhythms of Latin Pop, and the nostalgia of 2000’s Pop. He’s released several singles, including “What Were You Drinking”, “Feed My Ego”, “Beautiful Life”, and “Belong”.
He’s not trying to be the next Britney or the next anyone anymore. He’s taking the quirks that people have always found weird and different and amplifying them because they are what make him special.
“I know that a lot of my audience can relate with ‘Lollipop’ and my hope is that it’s catchy and upbeat sound will inspire them out of any funk. No one is alone. We’re in this together. And anyone who thinks they can silence us can suck it.”
Jaime Adrian’s “Lollipop” is being distributed by So Fierce Music/The Orchard/Sony Music Entertainment and is available on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms.
Jaime Asrian Releases Debut Album by Skip Sheffield
Jaime Adrian’s explosive new album, No Agenda, dips into multiple genres of dance music from Latin beats to country twists, house tracks, and euro pop. “I didn’t want people to say it all sounds the same,” he explains. Produced by Velvet Code, album highlights include “Belong,” a nod to Jaime’s self-described nerdy quirks, and a cover of the house music classic, You Could Read My Mind” Jaime Adrian’s No Agenda is being distributed by So Fierce Music and is available on all digital platforms. YUMPU
