Sj – Calabasas

By starrymag | June 11, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Emotional House

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) They’re all over the board. Growing up as a musician and songwriter I really loved the great singer/songwriters like James Taylor, Billy Joel, John Mayer, etc. In pop music I loved and studied Max Martin. In the dance space Madeon, Calvin Harris, Zedd where huge influences. But there are tons of more underground acts in all kinds of genres that I love. I also have so many friends who make such amazing music and they are huge influences to me as well!

 

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

 

A) “Void” was a special one for me. I wrote it almost five years ago with a couple of great writers in LA, Steve Dresser and Jimmy Welsh. It started as a pop song, went through a couple of vocalists and about fifteen different versions before we landed on the final one. I was going through a lot of relationship change in my life and the song is about dealing with the space that remains when someone leaves your life.

 

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

 

A) I think loss and relationship are things that everyone has experienced. It’s a personal song to me, but it also universal. Everyone knows that feeling in the pit of their stomach when they’re laying in bed alone next to an empty place where someone else used to lay.

 

Q) Talk about how you came to collaborate with Zookëper and Emmalyn on the track.

 

A) We had another vocalist on the song who we needed to replace and Emmalyn was recommended to me. At this point, there was another big DJ who I had given the song to and I recorded her for it. Eventually, I took the song back to release on my project and she stayed on it. After working so long on it I still felt like it wasn’t right. Zookeper is a buddy of mine and an amazing DJ/producer so I called him up and said, “HELP.” [laughs] He killed it and helped me get the record tight.

 

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

 

A) I wanted vibey, moody visuals to match the feel of the song. Something that had energy and movement but wasn’t distracting from the emotion of the lyrics.

 

Q) With your tracks that feature vocals, what is your songwriting process? Do you need a beat before you can create lyrics?

 

A) As a songwriter, almost all of my vocal tracks start with the lyrics and melody. I have to make sure the song is amazing before I can get excited about producing a track. I usually start in the studio with another writer or vocalist. I’m usually on the piano. We’ll talk about our lives and what’s going on, or many times I already know what I want to write about and I’ll tell the other writers what I’m experiencing, and we’ll put that in a song.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) Every song is different but for the most part, it’s all me. Obviously, on collabs like “Void” or my records with Tritonal, there are other hands involved. In my new music, I’m trying to bring more producers in because I love the collaborative process. It also makes me better as a producer. Sometimes I might work for a couple days trying to get something right, but if I call another producer they can step in with fresh ears and add just the right touch. I’m always trying to learn so being able to watch someone or ask someone about their process is incredibly helpful. Tritonal and Zookeper have both been that for me.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Sj performance?

 

A) Diversity and energy!

 

Q) What songs off your upcoming Calabasas EP are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) “Flicker” has turned into a favorite of mine. It’s always cool to be surprised by songs live. You never really know how people will respond until it’s coming out of the speakers in a room full of people.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

 

A) I hope people feel a connection in their pain. We all experience loss and sadness. I think when you hear music where someone is talking about those same experiences, it makes you feel a little less lonely. You don’t have to carry it all by yourself.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Honestly, I love playing anywhere!

 

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

 

A) I’d love to collab with Jack Garrat. I think his record Phase was incredible. It was a big inspiration.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) It’s always changing but right now I’ve been listening a lot to this artist from Berlin named Ben Böhmer. There’s something about his music that grabs me and holds me in this really wonderful place.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s important because it’s ubiquitous. I think it’s impossible to be an artist these days without it. However, it can be so destructive to a healthy life. It’s something I always feel like I’m balancing–the ability to connect with fans and show them what is going on, and my unhealthy obsession with interaction and approval online.

 

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

 

A) First and foremost, thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s been so special to connect with fans and hear how the songs are connecting with their lives. It truly is what gives artists like me the passion to make more music. I would also say get ready because I have lots more coming out! I’m just getting started!!

 

 

 

Check Out Sj’s New Single “If We Can Stay High”

Stream the EP on Soundcloud here

Support on all platforms here

 

Watch the music video on YouTube: