#jarrold

The second largest city in Britain at the start of the eighteen century made wealthy by wool, Norwich, with a population of 30,000, was a city of spinners, wool-combers and weavers . The principal product was worsted cloth. To this were added worsted made of wool and silk to make it softer and so offer competition to Indian cashmere, and later wool and cotton worsted. Norwich won business from…

(EP launch band, from L to R: Colin Ng, Sunny Tupaz, Jarrold Ng, Zheng Shu Jing, Alvin Tay, and Nelson Tay) 

On the matter of comfort zones, Jarrold guides us on how to leave them. And why.

His debut EP, Safe Grounds was launched on 19 January, featuring five heartfelt originals that testify to Jarrold’s journey as a person, and as an artist.

“The concept behind Safe Grounds EP is basically about the journey of leaving one's comfort zone in pursuit of a dream, or something of value to the beholder,” muses Jarrold. “It’s what persuades the person to stay at where they are and not move forward or onwards.” Everyone owns a piece of safe ground – and leaving it requires a plan. The concept art of the EP provides help with a mechanical sketch accompanying each track and a masterplan on the cover, visualising the journey for us.

(Cover diagram courtesy of Jane @Jarxnr) 

As much as a wholesome message is uplifting, we have become sceptical towards the motives of the music market, but for Jarrold, his inspiration is simple. And personal. “I picked up the guitar in church when I was 15-years-old from a friend because they needed a newer guitarist on the team. However, I didn't start writing songs until I was in the army where I had a lot of spare time on my hands and some material on my emotional plate to get me going.”

The opening song at the launch, ‘We Both Know’ pointedly unravels the pretences we put up. Everyone knows these ‘fakers’, but Jarrold and band sing it with sobering sophistication.

“You try to make them fall for the outside

And maybe turns out that they just might

You try to push it down just to look right

But something’s gonna give from the inside”

When asked to name ‘One Good Thing’ that happened during the making of Safe Grounds EP, Jarrold had a list of names. “So many people, friends, family members, acquaintances and strangers gave to this project in finances, time, talent and efforts. So many people lent a supporting hand that I feel a little ashamed to call this entire project my own. I am always touched when I think about the people that actually said 'yes' without expecting anything in return.”

“They can’t find a fountain young enough

They can’t offer means that are rich enough

They can’t put a pedestal high enough

To level with this good thing”

In turn, sitting in the audience makes me feel a little ashamed to hear Jarrold’s lyrics, call them my own, and take these messages home, without giving anything in return.

And Jarrold keeps giving, with a parting message for budding musicians hoping to leave their safe grounds: “I would give the same advice that a friend, Isaac Ong, gave me at the start of this journey which is ‘Just do something’. It doesn't matter if it’s a small thing. We never know who will stumble upon your small thing, or how these little efforts will shape you as a person. Give it a shot, and if it doesn't work out, know that you tried your best. Also, ‘Do it for yourself’. After all, music is not about becoming famous or writing a bogus hit with words that have no meaning to you. Artists create art for its artistic value, whether it is displayed on a living room shelf, or an international stage.”

Listen to Safe Grounds EP on air at radiopulze.com

See more of Jarrold @JarroldMusic (FB, IG, Twitter)

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