Tell us a few things about your new song “Feeling Is”.
. “Feeling Is” is literally me grappling with a bunch of intense mixed emotions and trying to make some sort of sense out of it all.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
In its purest artistic form, Hip hop symbolizes the voices of those forgotten or misrepresented by society at large. I believe the music and the culture itself breathes new life into the world and reminds us all, no matter our background or socioeconomic status that we have something to offer that’s worth paying attention to.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
I love the idea of collaborating. In 2022, my goal is to collaborate with more artists and producers and build community. I believe songwriting can be lonely but that is kind of the beauty of the process. Delving into one’s own psyche and letting yourself be vulnerable is crucial to creating something heartfelt and meaningful.
What is the first album you remember hearing as a child?
My Mom loves Motown and classic soul music. I remember riding in the car and listening to “Just My Imagination” by the Temptations and “Baby Love” by the Supremes. Those are fond memories and that music still resonates with me today.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
. Jōviky’s biggest challenge has been finding the strength and courage to be unapologetic about the marketing and promotion of myself and my music. I’m just a laid back chill person and I don’t really enjoy talking about myself or bragging about my accomplishments. I recently watched the Kanye documentary on Netflix and was inspired by how focused Kanye is/was on getting people to listen to and understand his music. I’m trying to be more like that but it’s hard for me…
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I don’t know the exact state of mind, but I want people to feel and be in touch with their emotions when they listen to my music. Music and art in general is a conduit for emotion and I just want to help people to get in touch with that side of themselves.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Whoa! This is an interesting question… I set my desk on fire when I was in 1st grade. It was completely an accident and also a very long story. But I got in major trouble for that. Don’t worry, I’m not a pyromaniac or anything. At least I don’t think I am… 😉
Tell us a few things about your new album. What is the story behind it?
‘Our Island’ is a collaboration of activist/artists from islands across the Pacific & Indian Oceans, uniting the voice of the ocean for climate action.
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
“Festival of the Living Ocean’, unites the rhythms and spirit of the world’s great oceans, through beats produced by HipHop artist Airileke from Papua New Guinea with the Sega grooves from Mauritius by Emlyn.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
Music and the spirit contained only lives through the listener, through being shared, both recorded and live are vital, but live we see and feel the listeners connection animating bringing life to our songs.
Your music also has lovely grooves. Tell us a song with a groove you wish you had composed yourself.
All the grooves in our music follow music traditions passed down through generations, these are the grooves in our family which we can unite to create new feels.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
We are a varied mob, but our oceans are central in our lives, we have surfers, Kite Surfers, swimmers in our group, and cooking up feasts to share in our group on tour, planet friendly food of course. (No industrial red meat).
When was the last time you danced?
Yesterday we jammed with 6 artists from islands of the Caribbean for our show in Miami at the North Beach Bandshell. The beats and groove of the Caribbean mixed with our oceans was mazing we are all pulsing and moving, singing out loud. Uniting the worlds great oceans, Atlantic, Indian & Pacific, after all we share one ocean – one island.
Tell us a few things about your new song ‘Good 4 You’. What is the main idea behind it?
Here’s the main idea behind the single “Good 4 You”: While creating this single, i went with a simple approach and tried to answer the most obvious question that we ask ourselves once We meet someone who’s maybe out of our league, or we’re interested in making the first move on. But before we do any of that, we ask (AM I GOOD FOR YOU). It’s a question that carries much weight if you think about it. Then i decided to tell a simple story that focuses on love, romance, and the importance of asking this question and what you can do to make the first move; this song also contains fresh ideas that i wanted to try out something that’ll make this single stand out among its peers. When it comes to the artwork, i went with a different approach. This time the painting is a storyteller; every detail hints towards something related to the song, from the colors to the heart waves drawn on the top and the bottom of the design, i don’t want to spoil this. It would help if you listened to understand what the art
How would you describe your musical progress over the years?
I’ve been releasing music for a year and two months so far, so good I still have a long way to go. I’m always looking to improve and develop my abilities as an artist and songwriter. I improve with each release that comes out. I’m always on the look-out for reviews, feedback, and support so that I can release and create more music my latest addition is a PayPal donation page for those who wish to support and keep me as an artist; the fact that PayPal is safe and secure I’m hoping that people will feel safer donating to help me out improve and keep going since I’m visually-impaired, and I can’t do everything alone.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
Since starting out, I wasn’t presented with the opportunity to collab with anyone, but I’m not against it. Unfortunately, things aren’t that easy, and I’ll tell you why I’ve been approached by someone who wanted to collab but turned that he’s a scammer, so to all starting artists out there, be careful don’t trust anyone who offers a collab always do your research before signing or starting any new project. As for songwriting, songwriting is never a lonely process because once you start writing, you’re immediately taken to this amazing world where ideas are all around, bagging you to be heard are dive deeper and deeper into your creative mind this can take hours and the journey in your creative mind is always fruitful especially when your inspiration is acting as your guiding compass. Hence, I never considered songwriting to be lonely or a tedious process.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
Hmm, this is a tough one, honestly. The entire music creation process is enjoyable, from the moment your inspiration hits you to the moment of lyrics writing. Next, you visualize how your recording will go trying different ideas (all in your mind, by the way) and then stepping behind the mic recording the hooks verses, background vocals, adlibs, and layers; then there is the time when you’ll need to sit down and conjure an idea for your single’s artwork thinking of details should you show within it and what will it be about. I love it all because I do it all, with exceptions. I’m proud and blessed to enjoy most of the steps the rest I leave to those I work with due to my poor sight; I’m unable to enjoy everything, but thanks to the outstanding beatmaker FlipTunesMusic, the phenomenal producer/mixing/master engineer Larry Ohh! And the talented designer/illustrator Beartrix, it’s been good, and I’m so thankful for all their efforts.
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
To be honest, streaming on Spotify is becoming more and more complicated. You need to reach many streams or get placements in a well-known playlist to get a decent income. So it’s becoming more and more difficult. For me, if you’re not willing to spend much money on campaigns with well-known companies so that they can push your song (Beware from scammers. There are many scammers), then the journey will become more complex and more challenging from here, and for me, that is not an option since my budget is minimal, and without other people’s support, I won’t be able to make such a move. Also, curators make it very difficult to be placed in playlists since they sometimes act as judge, jury, and executioner then you won’t make it, and most of the time they won’t give a reason for it so for starting artists, how are we going to improve if we’re not given the proper feedback or instructions on how to move forward so for me I do post my music on Spotify. However, I’m not getting much out of it due to the difficulties that I’m facing.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
The advice that I will give my younger self is to start early in your life. Then, once your dream is decided, don’t wait it out and don’t listen to the haters around you because that will come back and bite you in the end music industry is all about time and effort, and the earlier you start, the better and wiser you’ll become when it comes to music-making and business decisions.
What is the most useless talent you have?
An excellent question to ask. Do you know why because? I never considered thinking about it, but I’m sure that I will have an answer for it in the future.
Tell us a few things about your new song ‘Slow Connection/Censor’. What is the story behind it?
“Slow Connection” & “Censor” is the double side first single of my recently released EP, “22”. 2 sides released on 12-22… for “22” that was released 2-2-22 (as you can see I have a thing for the number “2”. lol) I really wanted to challenge my songwriting this past summer, so I locked myself in the studio and recorded a bunch of new songs exclusively with my brother in sound Rob Jeanyus & it was just vibes! When it was time for my team to hear the music, we just went with the vibes & thats how these two became the first single.
What first got you into music?
I’ve loved music for as long as I could remember. In middle school, seeing how big & diverse pop music was, I got hooked. I used to have a “calendar” of all the things I had to do aka things I recorded & would watch over & over again until I knew it word for word.
Favourite album of the past decade?
Thats a tough one. I’m just gonna go with what I’ve been playing nonstop since I’ve heard it & thats “Bubba” by Kaytranada. The music is a vibe…it takes you places. Then I saw him live, virtual show & in Atlanta, & it just makes the album that much greater to me.
What would you change in the music industry?
Oh man theres so much but I’d change the way Indie artist on the come up are treated. There are so many cash grab situations that you find yourself in bc ppl know they can make quick money off artists who are hungry & often desperate for a chance to make it. It’s already a tough process & most acts starting out DON’T have the capital for majority of opportunities. Promoters will have contests already knowing who the winner is, while still taking money from people who really want an opportunity. It’s pretty unfortunate.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
You gotta be in the mood for VIBES! A high vibrational mood, ready for something positive from the universe… whether it be getting ready to go hang w/ friends, a nice vacation, a night cap w/ your partner, etc.
What would you say is your biggest vice?
My biggest vice is FOOD! I am a foodie! I love all kinds of food, will try the “weirdest” foods, watch food shows, etc. I do a happy dance when I get good food or see good looking food coming my way. I also turn sour when I’m hungry or the food wasnt good lol Food is by far my biggest vice for sure. Papa gotta eat!
Tell us a few things about your new song ‘Way I See It’. What is the main idea behind it?
People only love you when you carry their burdens. Hard work pays off. But then the pay off can either make you or break you. It never really ends. It’s a lifestyle, success and failure aren’t destinations, they’re lifestyles. And that’s the way I see it.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
Hard times create hard people. Tough people create good times then good times (can) rebirth weakness.
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
Yes for sure. It’s thriving. But is there a collective underground hip hop sound? Not really. You can’t put underground hip hop in a box. It’s very geographically/socio-politically different. Toronto’s underground sound is much different than London’s or New York’s. What all underground music has in common though is that they report what’s underground, what’s happening on the streets, in their neighbourhoods, amongst their peers etc. Versus commercial stuff that’s not as deep content wise and more aimed at the general listener looking for a good melody or a catchy hook.
What would be your dream performance venue?
The TD place in my hometown in Ottawa for sure!
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I made my come up off soccer so playing footy for sure! Don’t get it twisted, I’m a footy boy for life! Shout out St Anthony FC and YSSA back home. Wouldn’t be where I am without these two organizations.
Energetic, rough with straight musical attitude, funky and warm hearted
Tell us a few things about your new album ‘RAW’. What is the story behind it?
It is an instrumental band so the main focus is on straight musical parameters like groove, hook lines and themes, voltage curves. Behind that it is a hommage to an artform called “Viennese funk school”, a very laid back based form of playing funk and soul music, influenced by Viennese waltz tradition , so we are doing a combination of so called “black music” and Viennese tradition. Furthermore you find 3 different types of styles on that album, combined over this specific style I mentioned above: the funky style represented on “Vaccine” or “Song for Charly” (a typical Viennese school funk tune), the bluesy style on “Boogaloo for You” and “The reverent” and the jazzy influence mainly transported by “Mr. Trixler” and “The Travel”.
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
As I mentioned above, it is combination of 3 styles based on the instrumentation (hammond C3 with leslie, guitar with VOX AC30, bass and drums) and a specific way to compose and play. Maybe “Song for Charly” is representing everything,, but I do not want to only mention 1 song. The funky side is represented by “Vaccine”, the bluesy side by “Boogaloo for you” and the jazzy side by “Mr. Trixler” the most. But “Song for Charly” represents the “Viennese funk school” the most and “The reverent” is more straight soul – bluesy than “Boogaloo for you” which is combination of bluesy and funky influences.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
Both sides are great, at the moment and also the last 2 years this band was more into writing and recording because of the worldwide pandemic situation. But for sure this music lives through the live performance, the energy and the improvisational part a lot which is transported and reflected the most when playing live.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
Doing instrumental stuff and being heard 😉
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I listen to it a lot when I drive my car or clean my flat (no joke), or when I have to do things where I need energy and some sort of continuity (which would be interrupted by lyrics). Also while doing sports it is great, gives you all sort of moods and grooves. So I can imagine that this happens to others too, by the way we are also part of a big playlist for people that want to listen to music while studying. That is functioning great because of the inherent continuity of this kind of music.
When was the last time you danced?
When ironing my flat listening to “Raw”…before that I guess it was when listening to Cuban and funky music in my fav pub…
Tell us a few things about your new song “You’re Not Special”. What is the main idea behind it?
To be honest. I just got a little pissed off one day with a girl haha. I think it had just been building and I guess when I get angry, I always want to try and hit the person where it hurts which is why I try to avoid being angry. You’re Not Special is a raw reflection of how I was feeling at that time. It’s me honestly just trying to rationalise and get over someone who hurt me but also not pulling my punches. I’m not overly mean at all but I’m also not holding back.
What first got you into music?
I think I always thought the idea of music was cool but I was a painfully shy kid, so it wasn’t really a dream I had. I plated recorder like every other kid in the UK haha but then when I was 11/12, my grandad paid for piano lessons and then my music teacher told me I could sing… a little bit. Obviously, I ran with that and thought I was automatically Stevie Wonder or Nick Jonas. I think the seriousness of music intensified when I was 15/16 – I taught myself guitar, began to perform more and I wasn’t good at first, but I got a lot better by sheer practice. That’s where I say I fell in love with music.
Favourite album of the past year?
Absolutlely loved Dave’s album “We’re All Alone in this Together” and FINNEAS’ album “Optimist”.
What would you change in the music industry?
I just wish it was easier to get into. The amount of money you need to shell out to, how cutthroat it is and just how overly competitive it is. I also hate how as artists some of us tend to feel like we need to follow trends to be sustainable? In an ideal world it should always be about the essence of the art I guess but maybe that’s too idealistic haha.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I’m a massive anime lover. I also try and catch up with some of my favourite games. Really excited to play the new Horizon game. It’s funny because these both along with other things inspire my music. Everything I love inspires me – I literally wrote a song about my favourite game Kingdom Hearts for my upcoming EP. Another thing is I currently work in mental health alongside being a musician, so I always try and read books and educate myself further on that aspect of things.
Who’s the most special someone in your life?
Haha I see what you did there! My friends are very important to me, idk where I’d be without them. Shoutout to the mandem man… and the gyaldem too! Family too, especially my sisters. I think I always want to be a much better person for them and I would do anything for them.
Tell us a few things about your new album. What is the main idea behind it?
Right2Repair System Log \ \ \ \ Systems are stabilizing. Ready for the next flight–Gravitational force is normalizing. \ \ Blackout Activity in Forecast \ \ E.T. BioOrganics found under Radiation. \ \ Coronal Influence neglected. \ \ Proceed with caution, risk ahead. Asteroids in arteries. \ \ https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/3-day-forecast
R2R Mission Log: ‘Right2Repair is a mixtape collected amongst the ash and rubble; faded mind’s recollection of formative emotions. Feels like courage breaking through, like in adolescence. The hand reaching through from the past to the present. Stepping back to find yourself, stuck and waiting to be set free. The right to repair oneself, to reconnect with their personal throughline of life, and the mission to continue. This story is all painted together using colors of industrial, techno, rock, and hip-hop energy.’
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
Mirror Mirror On The Wall – The Musical – 2.0 – xbox360
Favourite album of the past decade?
Rodeo – Travis Scott good kid, m.A.A.d city – Kendrick Lamar Currents – Tame Impala Magic Oneohtrix Point Never – Oneohtrix Point Never
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
Live contact for other travelers is still barred in the galaxy. Anti-viral algorithms. Data caps impend free flow streaming personas lost in the matrix carrying out scrimmages in the real. attn:poison
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
PLAY R2R WHEN Sweating it out in a dark room with other people in the real AND/OR WHEN In your thoughts AND need a place to go to feel crazy.
Tell us a few things about your new song ‘Living My Life’. What is the story behind it?
I was writing a song for a friend’s milestone birthday about how life is for living, as he is such a bon vivant. During that process, this song appeared from my subconscious but it was blues-based and seemed to carry a message, so I ran with it. The song conjures an image of a guy in a bar telling a lady with troubles on her mind (a sister) and then a gent (a brother) and then everyone in the bar, to just get on with life as best you can. For, it’s a waste of energy to fret over things you can’t change or control. So just live your life, like the singer tries to do.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
In songwriting, I apply the Pareto principle. It’s 80% alone and 20% in collaboration. I conjure songs from alone time coming up with the melody and lyrics first of all. I don’t find this to be lonely as the brain is stimulated by creative juices. Then I enjoy collaborating with a producer/musical director on enhanced arrangements for the original song structure. Receiving someone’s feedback and input at this last stage is rewarding and fun.
Favourite album of the past year?
I’ll take this as the favorite album I’ve enjoyed in the past year, rather than an album produced during that period. And that would be: “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” which is an extraordinary blast from the past.
What would you change in the music industry?
I’d like to see more local venues for live music open and thrive. People should be able to go and see a music show as if they were going out to a movie. I’d also like to see a subscription-based business model introduced in this regard. The venue would offer me a packaged or unlimited number of shows for a monthly price. That way I’d use it or lose it and I’d end up discovering much more music than if I just showed up ad hoc for artists I already knew. It would be a win-win as the customer would get cheaper shows than on a per ticket basis, the music venue would get loyal, recurring customers, and musicians would get discovered and paid out of the proceeds.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I like to cook, eat and drink good wine with family and friends. I spend time walking and exercising to keep my mind and body in good health and spirits. I also like to travel and read to learn and experience new things.
What is the best concert you have ever been to?
The Kenny Barron & Dave Holland Trio at the Monterey Jazz Festival 2019. They were the warm-up act for Diana Krall in the Arena. Their playing was so pure, heartfelt, and in the pocket.
Tell us a few things about your new mixtape ‘Reality Rap Highly Anticipated Mix-Tape’. What is the story behind it?
Texaco Dreaming was a resurrection of the original blueprint. Process growth evolution…To release this project 15 years laters after the SWAGGA EDITION MIXTAPE… and to do Texaco Dreaming the same way with the same peoples was history in itself
For which lyric you are most proud of?
In monarays two stepping like it’s calabasas “errbody”
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
I do however I don’t think it’s a specific sound or one sound in particular it’s more of like the rawness
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
Spotify is the modern day Dj…this is where records are broken if they aren’t being played in the clubs and in radio
What advice would you give to your younger self?
The best advice I would give my younger self would be embrace the process and the journey
HipHop Paranoia 