Pop-R&B singer-songwriter and creative director Jason Patel has released his enchanting new single One Last Dance, out now on all streaming platforms. To accompany the track, he also releases an exquisitely bold music video which captures his queer identiy and his South Asian heritage.
On One Last Dance, Jason introduces his rich universe, effortlessly blending elements of alternative R&B, pop and rāga (classical music of India). Combined with his captivating vocals, the track showcases his effortless and natural gift for storytelling. Naming icons such as Britney Spears and Rihanna, as well contemporary R&B stars like Kehlani and H.E.R. as his biggest inspirations, Jason thrives on being able to experiment with the emotions and feelings he’s able to convey through his music, totally owning his own brand of gutsy, vibrant Pop-R&B.
Bringing together multiple perspectives on his music, Jason draws from his life experiences, his queer identity as a gay man and his passion for theatre, crossed with his Indian heritage which he wants to bring to the forefront of pop culture. “Representation is really important to me. There is always room for everyone, and I want people to know that my music is a safe space for you to feel free and be whoever you want to be!”
Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Jason says, ‘When I wrote this song, I was in my head a lot and trying to deal with the loneliness of being isolated in a room in the middle of winter when no one was allowed out, and it got me thinking deeply about past relationships, life and death. I thought of the question: ‘If I die, will I have been fully fulfilled in life and achieved what I want to or been with the person I was meant to be with?’ I also thought about how you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. But there can be so many interpretations of the song, so I would really like my listeners to take comfort in it in whatever way they need. That ‘one last dance’ can be with yourself as well as anyone else you wish it to be with.”
Jason’s music is hugely inspired by his grandmother, who migrated from India to be with her husband who suddenly passed away soon after her arrival, leaving her alone and in a foreign country with three children under five years old. Unable to speak the language, with no education and no job, she was able to raise a family in the U.K. by herself, and her story is the reason why Jason’s music is so emotional. She taught him to take risks and embrace all the opportunities life gives you.
Born and raised in Manchester, Jason’s artistic vision is influenced from the late ’90s and early ’00s pop and R&B that was played in his Dad’s pub as well as the romanticism of Indian Bollywood cinema. Jason grew up surrounded by different cultures and musical genres. He would watch pop stars on TV as a young child, and from that point on, he knew he needed to make an impact and a difference in the world by educating, inspiring and sharing knowledge through his music. Moving to London to study at Rose Bruford College drama school, Jason creates musical soundscapes fusing theatre, art, music, cultures and genres — bringing people together to celebrate music and love by creating a safe-space for us to be whoever we want to be.
Watch One Last Dance above, hear more from Jason Patel below, and follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
