John Orpheus – Saga Boy

By starrymag | January 14, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound? 

 

A) I call it Pan-African Pop. Wherever black people make music we drink from that well. It’s dancy, singable and always lit.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences? 

 

A) Janelle Monae, Kanye, Sean Paul. To be honest, we don’t really do musical influences like: “It sounds just like…” We have an original sound. Everyone says that but we actually live that. We draw on Hip Hop, Pop, Soul, Soca, Dancehall and Rock and Roll. I like Miles Davis for attitude. Dancehall for beats. Leonard Cohen for lyrics. Prefer Outkast and Kendrick for rappers. And Guns N’ Roses for rock.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Electric.” 

 

A) We made it during our Goatlife mixtape sessions. But it really didn’t fit. It was so vulnerable and naked in vibe. “Tell someone you love why you love them.” But 2020 has been such a fragile year that I felt this vibe was what was needed more than anything. And when Jordan Hamilton jumped on with his cello and his voice it really came together.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) The positivity. I think people really feeling like holding people you love closer when the world is so fragile. So, that catchy hook which is full of innocent energy about telling someone why you love them

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The video is all about black love. We always about that, but in the year of George Floyd even more so. We don’t often see black people loving each other and Chaenel Mattis, my sister and co-creator, is there with her big close Jamaican family and so it’s a celebration of our bond and connection.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) There are hundreds of processes. It’s never the same. I wrote a song yesterday by hitting a spoon on my new pots and pans! It can be lyrics first, music first, both at once, pick up a guitar and strum a chord. My producer GawDamitMichael recorded his wife’s sewing supplies and that became a song. Sometimes the sound of traffic. There’s a lot of staring involved. LOL!

 

Q) What are some themes you explore on your new album Saga Boy?

 

A) Joyfulness, childhood – which for me means Trinidad. Vulnerability as Strength.

 

Q) With this album, what were some songs that hold such a personal significance to you and why?

 

A) “OLORUN” was powerful for me. It’s about reconnecting with West African religion where my people come from. “U LOOK CUTE WHEN U SMILE” is me daydreaming about being a kid in Trinidad. “IG” is a breakup song with a serious catchy hook. “Gotta live how I gotta to live!” “FELA AWOKE” is the oldest song. I started it ten years ago and finally perfected it here. It features a sensational feature by Nigerian Yoruba singer Oranmiyan.

 

Q) You also have a memoir coming out soon with the same name as your album. Were there parts of your life deemed off limits?

 

A) Nope. People always ask that. They feel like exposing the truth makes you vulnerable. But I believe that only the truly strong can expose where they are weak. Vulnerability is strength.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to your fans’ reaction to your book?

 

A) Of course. People have already gone a bit bonkers because they don’t really know me as an author. It’s gonna be SMASHING! I feel honored just to be dropping a book on Penguin Random House, the biggest publisher in the world.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Koffee. Hands down. Her song “Toast” has been giving me life over this year!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you. And congratulations on your good tastes!