For Jandrou, songwriting isn’t simply about creating catchy melodies—it’s about survival. Every lyric begins as an attempt to untangle emotions that refuse to stay buried, transforming moments of heartbreak, self-discovery, and joy into music that resonates far beyond his own experiences.
As an openly queer Latino artist, Jandrou has built his career by refusing to compromise his identity. While some have suggested he “tone down” his queerness to appeal to a broader audience, he has never entertained the idea.
“I fought so hard to be able to be myself,” he says. “It would feel like a dishonor to myself and to others who are trying to be represented in an industry that is still so heavily cis and straight.”
That unwavering commitment to authenticity has become the foundation of his artistry.
Writing From Emotion First
Jandrou describes himself as an overthinker, someone who instinctively processes emotions through words rather than suppressing them. Inspiration rarely arrives on schedule. Sometimes it comes while rushing through a shower, humming a melody, or listening to another artist’s work. Other times, it appears as a metaphor or phrase that perfectly captures an emotion he hasn’t yet been able to explain.
Those lyrical fragments become the starting point for songs that are deeply personal while remaining universally relatable.
“Most of my songs come from a place of needing emotional liberation,” he explains.
Rather than forcing stories into music, he allows emotions to dictate where each song will go.
From Karaoke Dreams to Independent Artist
Looking back on his debut album, Ashes to Ashes, Jandrou laughs at how unlikely his musical journey once seemed.
“Before Ashes to Ashes, the closest thing I had to becoming a singer was my obsession with karaoke and singing around the house 24/7.”
That first record became much more than a debut—it was proof that artistic expression transcends medium. Having always identified primarily as a visual artist, music reinforced his belief that all forms of art share the same purpose: giving shape to human emotion.
It also sparked an obsession with sound itself, opening the door to a career built entirely on creative independence.
Building Songs Like Solving Puzzles
Jandrou’s songwriting process usually begins with handwritten lyrics and voice notes before moving into the studio with his producer.
From there, the work becomes collaborative.
He compares writing lyrics to solving a crossword puzzle, balancing syllables, rhyme, rhythm, and emotional impact while constructing an entirely new sonic world.
“Music amplifies the message,” he says. “Am I speaking about being angry or sad, or feeling like a badass? We manipulate melody and sound to amplify that emotion.”
The process, he says, feels less like work than play.
A New Era of Confidence
While Ashes to Ashes largely centered around heartbreak and emotional release, Jandrou’s upcoming project represents a dramatic shift.
The sadness hasn’t disappeared, but confidence has taken center stage.
His new music embraces sexuality, gender expression, self-acceptance, and unapologetic queerness in ways his audience hasn’t heard before.
“It’s about finding the badass in me,” he says. “Being unapologetically queer in my expression and way of being.”
The sonic evolution is equally significant. Jandrou has been working alongside a producer whose credits include artists such as Charli XCX, Post Malone, and Brooke Candy, helping him craft a sound that feels bolder, more polished, and unmistakably his own.
The Healing Power of Music
Many of Jandrou’s songs are rooted in lived experience, making the creative process as therapeutic as it is artistic.
One unreleased track, The One, became an emotional breakthrough.
“After my studio session, I went home and listened to it on repeat for three hours, just crying,” he recalls.
Ironically, it happened during a period when he was insisting to everyone that he had already moved on from the relationship that inspired it.
Music told a different story.
“It was a very cathartic and healing moment that needed to come out.”
Moments That Stay Forever
Among the many milestones in his career, performing on Vancouver Pride’s main stage remains unforgettable.
Standing before the largest audience of his career, accompanied by two dancers while friends cheered from the front row, Jandrou experienced a full-circle moment.
“It felt so good to see them there,” he says. “They’ve supported me since the very beginning.”
Those relationships continue to remind him why representation matters—not only for audiences but for the communities that help artists believe in themselves long before the spotlight arrives.
Inspired by Artists Who Create Change
Although Jandrou cites artists like Troye Sivan, Caroline Polachek, Coldplay, and Robyn as musical influences, it is their impact beyond music that resonates most deeply.
He admires Coldplay’s commitment to messages of love and unity, seeing their music as a bridge across human division.
Robyn inspires him through her fearless rejection of conventional femininity and her willingness to redefine gender expression on her own terms.
Those examples have helped shape the kind of career Jandrou hopes to build—one where music creates both connection and cultural change.
Standing Out in a Crowded Industry
The modern music industry offers independent artists unprecedented opportunities, but it also presents new challenges.
Social media has democratized audience-building, yet constant content creation has made attention one of today’s most valuable—and scarce—resources.
Artificial intelligence has introduced yet another layer of competition.
“We’re not only competing against humans anymore,” Jandrou says. “We’re also competing against machines that can make music faster than any human ever could.”
For him, the answer is innovation.
Artists must continue creating work that sounds unlike anything technology can imitate.
The Story Behind Crying at the Dairy Queen
Jandrou’s newest single, Crying at the Dairy Queen, may have one of the year’s most unforgettable titles, but the story behind it is surprisingly literal.
“It literally happened,” he laughs.
Following a difficult four-hour drive with an ex-partner—one filled with criticism over every wrong turn and driving mistake—Jandrou reached an emotional breaking point.
Unable to continue with their plans to meet friends, he pulled into a Dairy Queen alone.
There, overwhelmed by the weight of the relationship, he cried.
That deeply human moment became the inspiration for a song that captures heartbreak with remarkable honesty while finding liberation in vulnerability.
The accompanying music video promises to mirror those emotions through a nostalgic early-2000s visual aesthetic paired with a pop ballad infused with hyperpop influences.
“It’s sad, but also liberating,” he says. “Hopefully it gets people right in their feels.”
Redefining Representation
Ultimately, Jandrou hopes listeners will remember more than individual songs.
He wants to leave behind a career defined by innovation, fearless authenticity, and meaningful representation.
“I hope there are Latino queer and gay teens and adults who see me as someone they can relate to,” he says. “I didn’t have that growing up, and it’s definitely a driving force inside of me to keep going.”
If his journey so far is any indication, Jandrou isn’t simply writing songs about finding himself.
He’s creating the kind of music that gives others permission to do the same.
Jandrou’s new single, Crying at the Dairy Queen, arrives on all streaming platforms August 21, with the official music video debuting alongside the release.