“The connection between The Saddest Factory and boygenius has introduced me to a vibrant world of young American queer individuals.” The singer is quick to share that she has had much to process leading up to ‘You Are In The Morning’; a deeply challenging time marked by significant health issues during her lowest moments. “Things didn’t go very well when I came out in 2021,” she admits in a quivering, breathless voice. “My marriage ended quite abruptly, I attempted to move back in with my parents, and that didn’t go smoothly either, so I found myself without a stable place to live.” It was during this period that Jasmine relocated from Bristol to Manchester and discovered the support of her new community. “For a while, I was crashing on friends’ sofas and floors, and during that time, I encountered other queer individuals while writing these songs.” This newfound sense of community, hope, and warmth resonates throughout the album. “The title track is mainly about my best friend who welcomed me in,” she explains. “It also reflects the larger community and the hope my chosen family provided when I arrived here. My community truly opened my eyes to my future and gave me the motivation I needed to begin my transition.” Cruickshank aspires for trans individuals worldwide facing similar challenges to draw strength from her music. “Every morning, I receive messages from people globally sharing their transition stories and expressing how my music connects with them. I’m reaching so many people on a profound level. It makes all the stress and fear entirely worthwhile. That’s the essence of this album for me; it represents not just hope for myself but hope for others.”
While she expresses a sense of defiance merely by existing as a trans woman in the music industry, she also feels the weight of her responsibility to utilize her platform. “There’s a great deal of bias and structural transphobia in the industry,” she remarks. “Many people don’t truly understand what trans individuals endure; at best, we’re viewed as a threat and a disruption to the norm. We are human, and this is our reality. Entering the spotlight comes with a significant responsibility, and advocating for trans rights is undeniably a crucial part of my role.” Having navigated their own challenges with fame, boygenius have been invaluable mentors as she steps into the limelight. “I can genuinely trust and rely on them,” she shares, recalling how they welcomed her upon her arrival in Los Angeles to record the album. “Lucy and Julien had arranged dinner for us when we got there, which was so thoughtful; we even met their dogs. They are such warm people, and I immediately felt accepted into their community.” This spirit of togetherness is echoed throughout the album, which features a band made up of trans women from the Manchester scene. In addition to boygenius members, the album also includes contributions from Claud and several other artists associated with Saddest Factory Records. “Coming out of those sessions, it became clear that the theme of this album was about processing and healing,” Jasmine reflects, recognizing how that communal bond aided her through the pain expressed in the album. “It felt obvious that ‘You Are The Morning’ should be the title, symbolizing queer hope.”
She adds, “What’s beautiful is that all these songs address experiences many trans individuals encounter, such as homelessness, hate crimes, and transphobia. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that I have this body of work to build upon, using these experiences to support those who have gone through similar struggles to process their journeys.” With ‘You Are The Morning’, it seems Jasmine has already achieved many of her dreams, and her vision for the upcoming year is simply to continue forward. “I want to dedicate as much of my time as possible to writing music, recording, performing, and living my life with my chosen family,” she affirms. “If I can uplift other trans women and be a visible role model, that’s a tremendous bonus. I hope that other trans women witnessing this realize that good things are also possible for them because it has genuinely made my life worthwhile.” ‘You Are The Morning’ is now available through Saddest Factory Records; you can check where Jasmine will be touring this year here.
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