Interview: Jazmine Mary's New Album 'I Want To Rock And Roll' + Release Tour

Launched on Friday via Flying Nun Records, Jazmine Mary's I Want To Rock And Roll is fast gaining recognition as one of the most significant Aotearoa music releases of 2025. Emotionally frank, poetic and impressionistic, the award-winning songwriting generously answered my nosey questions about their new studio long player, not so much demystifying as revealing fresh angles to consider. Do not miss Jazmine Mary and band's nationwide release tour, and nab a physical copy at your local record shop...

Jazmine Mary I Want To Rock And Roll Album Release Tour

Friday 25th July - Last Place, Hamilton*
Saturday 26th July - Double Whammy, Auckland*
Thursday 31st July - Meow, Wellington
Friday 1st August - Lyttelton Coffee Co., Christchurch*
Saturday 2nd August - Erricks, Dunedin

*Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

Chris Cudby: Is your new album I Want To Rock & Roll like a sonic memoir — or are these songs less directly autobiographical?

Jazmine Mary: I think a memoir implies I have clarity between fact and fiction and creates distance for the listener. There are elements / moments about specific experiences and there are parts of the music that I'm figuring out myself and that is more vague sentiments / feelings / weight. I think I'm receiving these songs the same time you are. And I hope they don't come across as a journal entry, because that feels self indulgent and I hope the songs can become for others.

These songs and accompanying imagery are very beautifully realised. How much collaboration was involved in making I Want To Rock And Roll and surrounding images / videos? Did you have a specific vision in mind at all times?

Oh thank you, that's kind. Yes I have a very specific vision for things and of course there has been an abundance of collaboration, I don't know if making a record is possible without it. I like to keep the people I collaborate with as small as possible and usually the same because it's vulnerable shit. All my photography is Jim Tannock from Big Scout, I went to Blenheim for a few days with a bunch of ideas and we realised them together. Jim pulled a lot of favours from locals for me, borrowing motorcycles and weights. Videos I work with Annabel Kean (Sports Team). I think these people are my loved ones and they for the most part understand me or strive to and I'm very grateful for their incredible work.

What does rock & roll mean to you in 2025?

It means vulnerability, it means crying in public, it means caring deeply and it means free Palestine.

Do you feel your work as a performance artist informs your songwriting practice, and the other way around?

Absolutely. I think every single thing I do informs my art, I've realised that's why it feels so important what I'm consuming or how I participate in my life as it comes through always. There is a choice to how to see things. Ultimately I think performance art as a political practice makes me feel unafraid and realise I can do whatever the fuck I want.

You've talked about the songs on this album emerging during a period when you were "feeling such devastation and heartbreak and sadness". Does listening back to these songs prompt a flood of memories for you?

I haven't really listened back to them since mixing them with a very practical approach, I imagine when I'm ready to listen to them as I perform them with the band I'll find out. I think the songs are extremely new to me so maybe not a memory just yet.

Do you find you write differently solo than with Pony Baby?

Yes. When I write with Pony Baby its a very equal collaboration so I'm letting go of complete control, which I hate doing with my solo music. There is also a freedom in it not being so vulnerable, like I can blame Arahi for a really naked idea. Not blame, but maybe people wont know what I'm saying or he is, so I can hide. We are also writing with a genre intention, where as when I write as me I'm just stabbing in the dark and getting accidental outcomes that I either see worthy of sharing or keep as an experience.

I saw you speak at the NZ Music Month Summit last month on the Touring 101 panel. If you had one pro-tip to share for an emerging local touring artist, what might that be?

Be kind, be generous, ask for help and remember that if you're making music you've done it, your dreams have come true, the other stuff is bullshit. Trust people that want things for you not from you. Take it all with a grain of salt and cry when you need to.

What can punters look forward to with your winter release tour? Any plans on travelling abroad?

I think what I'm looking forward to is giving these songs a different life with live arrangements. As for plans, I don't look so far ahead but I have no doubt about ending up overseas in the not too distant future.

'I Want To Rock And Roll' is out now via Flying Nun Records on major streaming platforms and vinyl LP.