Tell us a few things about your new song “Bad Moon Rising”. What is the main idea behind it?
Bad Moon Rising is an adrenaline-fuelled mix of explosive guitar, infectious drums and piano solos played at break-neck speed. It was written in the middle of lockdown and the increasingly frenzied sound reflects my mindset at the time. I deliberately wanted to challenge some very talented students of mine with this track – the piano solo in particular has been a source of much consternation for everyone who has attempted it!
What first got you into music?
My grandparents had a piano in their house that I was pretty much obsessed with from the moment I saw it at a very young age.
Favourite album of the past year?
I’ve had Michael League’s “So Many Me” on repeat a lot.
What would you change in the music industry?
Increase streaming royalties.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Eat more vegetables.
Future plans?
Hopefully some live performances in the not-too-distant future, then finishing my next EP, then world domination.
Tell us a few things about your new work ” Elevation Of Luv”. What is the main idea behind it?
My new EP ”Elevation Of Luv” talks about love on the personal level, with tracks like “Patterns”, “Fairytales and lies”, “Honest” that speak more about personal love experiences, specifically heartbreak; but also talks about love on the interpersonal level, with tracks like ”Hope is the true north” which is more about unconditional love and joining forces as a collective, or the track “Queen” that is made to empower women. It also makes reference to the elevation of me, the artist ”Mya Luv”, and my development and growth on this life journey. ”Elevation Of Luv” is an EP that I wrote, composed and co-produced. It encompasses many genres as I’ve been influenced by so many growing up (from pop, soul/rnb, to jazz and folk)
Which song of the EP is your favorite?
I believe “Honest” is my favorite. I always love singing ballads and getting vulnerable. I feel like it is a way for me to get close and intimate with the listener
Your dream collaboration?
My dream collaboration would probably be ”Ms. Lauryn Hill”, it’s a woman that inspired me greatly in so many ways and her words and lyrics always resonate with me.
What would you change in the music industry?
I would like for the music industry to be a safe place for artists to speak and explore their truth and authenticity. Often times, we find ourselves attempting to follow trends and popular music movements and themes. However, I believe that an artist’s best work is when it comes from their authentic self and making the music that they truly love, and that’s when it has the power to resonate the most with the audience, when they feel that the energy is real.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I imagine people listening to my music in a calm state of mind and a peaceful space. I feel like it’s the best state to get immersed into my universe and fully grasp it.
When was the last time you danced?
It has been way too long since I last danced. Funnily, I’ve been thinking about getting back into it in the past days and finding some dance teachers. Dancing is so freeing and I would love to incorporate into my daily life and music.
Tell us a few things about your new song “Beast” . What is the main idea behind it?
Beast is about addiction, I’m talking about the feeling of when you know that you need to escape a vicious unhealthy loop but it’s too scary and painful to move away. In my case it was a toxic relationship and all I could think of was to see this addiction as a beast, you know it’s wrong and harmful, yet it can also be this fluffy and misleadingly comfortable, safe place to stay in, because at times it’s really good.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
In Beast it would be ‘I move forward then get kidnapped, my voice weakens forgetting my escape, all I knew is what I wanted to hold on to’
Favourite album of the past decade?
Difficult to say but if I had to choose only one I’d say Choose Your Weapon – Hiatus Kaiyote they always blow my mind.
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
I hope not or us artists are all screwed and remain broke forever. I like to think artists can have more control over their music and how it’s given to their fans through channels like Bandcamp and Patreon, that’s how I try to promote my music.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I love spending time with dogs, I know it sounds strange but I dog sit and have long walks in nature! I feel in the moment and my mind relaxes. I also love to see friends, read, run!
When was the last time you danced?
At my friend’s house party a couple of weeks ago! There is nothing better than a house party, you get to chose who comes at the party, the music you want and let your self go without spending a fortune!
Your music has an experimental tone. Should music as a form of art always challenge the listener?
I don’t think it should always challenge the listener and neither to I aspire that with my own music. The experimental aspect you hear is a dive toward ambient music and non-standard structures and sounds. The goal is to make it experimental and not challenge the listener but make it seems as though it’s seamless and smooth. You can hear that concept in the opening track “Monty”. It’s in the time signature of 13/8, which is an odd time signature grouped in inequal segments (3+3+3+4) but it still sounds smooth and flows nicely!
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
They all reflect me at different times of my state of being but currently I’d say I mostly resonate with “Madison Glare”. I just got back from a vacation and the improvisational aspect of that song and the way it flows through its own obstacles very much reflects my state of mind at the moment!
Favorite album of the past decade?
I think I may have to give Bon Iver’s “22, a million” the podium here. That record is just an absolute milestone of music in the 21st century.
What would be your dream performance venue?
Red Rocks in Colorado. It’s a purely magical venue. I’ve seen a couple of artists there and the whole atmosphere just makes it a communal experience, as long as it doesn’t rain!
Which book should we read while listening to your music?
I’ve never been asked this question but I truly love it. I would definitely recommend a fiction book like the never ending story but I’ve read books like Ram Dass’ “Be here now” to it and it worked wonderfully well.
You’d give up making music for…
Oof… tough one. Maybe I’d give it up for an alternate life entirely. Like if I’d be a surf instructor on Hawaii and grow my own food while The Who are playing in the background. Clearly it’d have to be something radical. I wouldn’t give it up for money or anything physical, that’s for sure. Making music is part of my identity so I’d have to reinvent my path to happiness if that ever were to happen!
Tell us a few things about your new song “Peace=Madness”. What is the main idea behind it?
This song was written very fast , I basically got the idea for it one morning and we pretty much knocked it out within a couple hours . This song is a ballad that really captured my mental state at the time of writing the song . “Peace = madness , and joy = sadness” it’s about how duality lives in everything and how when everyone leaves you’re just stuck with yourself . I can tend to look outside myself for the perfect life to live, but at the end of the day , I’m always still just me .
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
I feel like the second half of my verse most genuinely represents what I’ve been going through right now. “my heart’s been in a daze, my sorrow’s getting praise, been facing my reflection, it’s personal dissection, there’s thing i wanna change, got me so feeling so estranged, my soul’s aboutta’ cave in, it’s time to que the ravens, I feel lost and tortured, just looking for a shoulder, that i can rest my head on. Where the fuck have you gone?”
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
Amy Winehouse and Tupac
What would be your dream performance venue?
The forum for sure.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
Most people listen to my music when they’re in need of some healing.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
lmaooo this is funny, this is a good question too. I remember this one time when I was 15, I was tagging in a mcdonald’s restroom. Someone called the cops on me and I legit ran away from the cops on foot , like cutting through houses for blocks until I was away from 12. That was pretty wild.
Tell us a few things about your new song ” Don’t Lie”. What is the main idea behind it?
“Don’t Lie” is loosely based on personal experience and those of friends. Most times, people never say what they mean in relationships and this can cause a lot of problems down the line. My motto is say what you mean and mean what you say. The truth always finds a way to surface so just be honest from the get go.
What is your creative process like?
It usually involves a glass of wine. No, but I usually marinate with the instrumental first to determine what kind of vibe I should go for. From that point, I usually freestyle and evolve from there.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
And I don’t like it when you talking sideways / Saying one thing, back peddling / Switching flipping, twistin’ turning / You know my mama didn’t raise no fool / And I can peep ya true feelings / No hoodoo voodoo when perceiving
Favourite album of the past year?
I have two. 1) Mood Valiant 2) Planet Her.
What would you change in the music industry?
Abolish 360 deals and shady contracts
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
It’s not necessarily a film rather an anime series, but Inuyasha! I watched a few episodes here and there as a kid but never watched it chronologically until now.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I plead the 5th. Lol, but I really don’t tend to get myself caught up in situations like that. I just keep cool and mind my business.
“OUT PAST CURFEW” is the outcome of the exclusive collaboration of the two MCs and performers Youthstar & Miscellaneous (Chill Bump) in a unique opus. Taking advantage of unexpected free time, they turned 2020 into the perfect year to develop the project and make it happen. It’s hard to overlook the eclecticism, the richness of the subjects covered, the completely crazy flows and the head banging loops of this album whose creation process was the fastest of their respective careers.
Last straight line before the release of the album “OUT PAST CURFEW” from the combo Youthstar & Miscellaneous (Chill Bump) on October 29th with the edgy single KITSUNEGARI between Grime, Bass Music and UK HipHop produced by Mr Frenchwax from the group Supachill. The track drops with a musicvideo in the image of this crazy song and prepares the ground for the title DROPPING LIKE FLIES which will accompany the release of the album at the end of October.
CLASSIC is a true tribute to the 90’s boombap and to all the great MCs who made Hip-Hop. Youthstar & Miscellaneous, surrounded by Cheeko (french rapper from the band Phases Cachées), Skillz & Vex, 2 hyped DJs & scratchers, on a super efficient and sampled production by the beatmaker Degiheugi. One by one, the 3 Mcs express all their consideration for their elders, from Rakim to Jay-Z, from The Roots to the Wu Tang, and even from Doc Gyneco to Mc Solar… they admit frankly that they wouldn’t be here today without them ! “If it weren’t for all of y’all there wouldn’t be none of us… The magic 90’s brought us all to this rap shit!”
“2 shots no chaser” is the first single from the joint album “Out Past Curfew” by Youthstar & Miscellaneous (Chill Bump). No different from these two entertainers, the track diffuses the same vibrant energy that the MCs deliver on stage. Between two shots of vodka, this colorful music video, shot in the streets of Barcelona, perfectly reflects the different shades they intentionally painted in this opus. It’s the first taste of their explosive upcoming album!
MY SONGS MAINLY COME TO ME IN DREAMS. I usually sing an idea into my phone when I am half asleep or half awake. Sometimes a lyric, sometimes just a melody. I have more than a hundred of these kicking around. Every now and then I go through them and see which ones excite me at that moment. Sometimes I need a section for a song and trawl through for ideas. I usually write at the piano, sometimes on the guitar. With MALA I woke in the middle of the night after hearing Spike Lee on TV. He said “you don’t want to make America great again you need to make it LOVE Again”
Tell us a few things about this new club remix.
I decided to create this on the back of the success of our previous club track Listen to the Beat and the success of the original MALA track video in winning more than twelve film festivals including the Cannes World Film festival. The hardest thing was deciding how much of the original vocal to use for a club track. We cut it right down in the Club Mix.and to almost nothing in the “Deep” mix. The club mix was one of my quickest ever, I knew exactly what I wanted, a balance between a catchy tune – keeping the message and an insistent beat. When I think a mix is finished I always compare it to my previous work and to a few tunes which I admire, to make sure we have not got lost in the creative process and that sonically we are up to scratch.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
I could collaborate and have in the past – but it’s not lonely – When songwriting I communicate with the different parts of my personality and allow them to express themselves and have a dialogue. For me I have something important to say in each song (see below for MALA lyrics). This may be personal or political. I rarely decide to “sit down” and write from scratch, I get excited by something that has bubbled up and go with the feeling. I am able to edit my work as if I was an outsider – that is probably the toughtest bit. Songwriting is a deeply personal process, you are exposing your deepest self to the world, that can be scary.
Favourite album of the past decade?
Black Mirror
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
To keep going and believe in myself when things are not going well. To be sure I have something to say that is worth hearing and listening to. My strong belief that I occupy my own tiny but unique place in the musical universe. I have too many ideas and lyrics, choosing the next one to work on can be hard…It was a challenge to give up playing the saxophone, I decided to focus on less instruments – guitar, piano/keys.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
A state of deep aliveness, connection with themselves and an urge to be part of something bigger. People who love a great tune with a hypnotic beat and at the same time want to express an important message. Thus people can hook into my tracks on a number of levels, any is ok with me.
When was the last time you danced?
Two weeks ago, I dance a lot and get many ideas when I am on the dance floor…get carried away sometimes.
Tell us a few things about your new song “Freewill”. What is the story behind it?
“Freewill” is the first single from “Sensed”, which is a concept album about the evolution of the universe from the point of view of a Being of Light, a story based on ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, Greek, Indian and Japanese scriptures. The work is of Death/Post Metal mold, with a very important use of harmonic singing, ergo of Mongolian, Indian and Japanese chants; a peculiarity that makes the album also meditative, as well as merely aggressive. The rhythms derive from and are inspired by the Indian Konnakol, the oldest musical language of man. “Sensed” is written, performed (vocals and guitars), produced, recorded, programmed (synth, bass and drums) mixed and mastered by Riccardo Moccia, through Altamira Multimedia.
What first got you into music?
I don’t remember exactly. A sensed voice, I guess…
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
Writing music is a very important part of my life and routine. Performing my music instead is the moment of truth (my truth), where I actually can disappear from this world and get connected with the true essence of my sound: beyond and through my flesh and thoughts.
How Important are political statements by music artists? Can music have an impact on politics?
That depends only by the will of the artist in my opinion. We all do politics by the way, but for doing good things we have to think far beyond our needs and dreams, even beyond the humanity itself.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
That’s a weird question… Everyone knows that time doesn’t exist.
Tell us a few things about your new song “Love In Montana”. What is the story behind it?
“Love in Montana” loosely depicts an amazing trip I had to Missoula, Montana where I had the time of my life for a few short days! The vibe of that town is so chill and the people really have a thirst for life. I highly recommend visiting if you can. You’ll have the time of your life!
How would you describe your musical progress over time?
I just started releasing music in 2020 and over this short amount of time my music has changed a lot. I started doing more experimental and avant garde tracks and lately I’ve dabbled in slightly more commercial sounds. I truly love it all and I’m excited to continue this journey.
What first got you into music?
I got into music because I needed an outlet to grow as an artist but also share my experiences with the world. In the past, my creative practice was mostly focused on the visual and performing arts. Music gives me a platform to express myself in ways that I find cathartic but also uplifting. My goal is to share these feelings and discoveries with my audience and hopefully inspire them.
Favourite album of the past decade?
That’s a tough question. There are so many amazing albums that I still have on repeat. But if I had to pick one, I’m going with Frank Ocean “Channel Orange.” The album is damn near perfect and each song has an emotional core that transports you to another world. Frank seems to be able to craft entire movies with his songwriting and I’m just in awe of his talent and overall creativity.
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
Short answer, NO. I think the people are the new gatekeepers. It’s interesting to note, if you compare an artist’s catalog between streaming platforms, you’ll notice that the most popular songs of any particular artist are often much different on each platform. You can make a lot of conclusions from that info but for me it just means artists shouldn’t take the data from any of these platforms at face value. Just like you shouldn’t believe a song or live performance will always hit in different parts of the world.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
Right now, I’ve been watching a lot of NFL. I’m a part of this Fantasy Football League and it’s a lot of fun and takes my mind off of things. Other than that, I like to go out and check out local LA bands.
What would you say is your biggest vice?
Lately my biggest vice has been social media. It’s a necessity for me to be on these apps trying to grow my following and engaging with the people that like my music but oftentimes it doesn’t leave a lot of room for just living and spending time with my thoughts. I’ve been trying to find a balance but it’s rough, especially when I know how important these apps are to furthering my music career. I take it day-by-day though. That being said, follow me @JovikyJames on Instagram and Twitter. 😉
HipHop Paranoia 