AJ LA JOYA – Hallucinate [Interview]

Describe your sound in 3 words

Versatile, colorful, and unpredictable.

Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?

Hallucinate is probably one of my favorite songs I’ve recorded thus far into my early career. Over the last few months I’ve been obsessed with retrowave/vaporwave stylized art and I feel like this song personified that audibly. When I first heard the beat, I started humming the chorus and everything sort of fell in place. I built a whole story in my head about the thin lines between love and lust, and how naivety can play a role in it. I think it’s a theme that we all can relate to… that feeling of longing.

Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?

I certainly do enjoy the process of collaborating with other creatives! It’s fun feeding off of each other’s energy, ideas, and it’s something I want to do more often in the future. My collaboration has mainly been with my audio engineer who’s been AMAZING in helping me get my sound right. But on the flip side, I do want to try and collab with other artists this year. I have a friend in mind to do a song with but the timing just needs to be right.
When it comes to songwriting, I don’t think it’s a lonely process at all. It’s introspective to me and therapeutic. It’s probably my favorite part when creating.

Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

Hmmm… hidden gem. I’m not sure that she’s necessarily “hidden” because she’s fairly known but I would say Kelela. I really got into her this year. Her songs and how she began her career in music is so relatable to me.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?

My biggest challenge is managing everything by myself. As an independent artist, especially at this stage of my career, I wear many hats. I’m my own manager, creative director, marketer/pr, photographer, stylist… the list goes on. Doing all of that on top of songwriting, recording, and managing my day job can be taxing at times, but honestly, it’s all worth it. My love for music powers me through. It’s nothing I can’t handle.

In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?

I want my music to mirror the listener’s current emotions. If their feeling sad, I want to offer sad music. If they want to party and be happy, I want to provide songs that do just that. This is something I’m conscious of whenever I create new songs.

When was the last time you danced?

Today! I’m always dancing. It’s in my DNA!!! Gotta learn how to breakdance next.

Thank you!

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