An Interview With Ja'wuan
The new EP release from Ja'wuan is a fresh take on genre bending and creating music with a freedom while keeping things unique and catchy.
The Strategies of Catching Light EP is a blissful array of rock, pop, singer songwriter, and much more as Ja'wuan incorporates colorful guitar tones and vocals into an alluring approach to songwriting all together.
The EP has a wonderful energy that is quite unique and really helps the sonic soundscape of the record come together.
The songs give off a blend of Prince (or the artist formerly known as) and Lenny Kravits but also has a sort of ethereal overtone and purpose behind it that shines through from time to time.
The guitar work is outstanding and the songs are bright and have so much heart it's crazy but awesome to listen to. Thes tracks literally feel good.
The entire EP has a ton of character and life that is evident throughout it's 6 song course and each song has something totally different to bring to the table which is a kind or rarity in music today.
This release is an artist in his natural habitat doing his thing without boundaries and that is where some of the best art actually comes from.
With such a great release, we wanted to have a chat with Ja'wuan to talk shop. Here's what happened.
TSWS: Okay so let's start with the Strategies Of Catching Light record. This EP is such a colorful and bright blend of genres with some amazing guitar work and vocal harmonies. Where did this record come from?
Ja'wuan: It came from song ideas in my head. Then I turned those ideas into full songs using structures and parts from different genres of music.
TSWS: I'm hearing rock, singer-songwriter, and so much more on this EP. What bands really influence you as an artist?
Ja'wuan: Jimi Hendrix, Killswitch Engage, Pearl Jam, Guns n’ Roses, and much more!
TSWS: Upon listening to this EP it almost feels like a concept album. Is this correct?
Ja'wuan: Yes actually. It’s the first installment of a three part project, essentially Strategies of Catching Light being the Yang, the next EP being the Yin, and the full album being the wholeness and interconnectedness of the Yin and yang symbol. Strategies is my journey to find light or truth, inspired by the use of psychedelic plants.
TSWS: How did this all start for you?
Ja'wuan: A loop pedal station that I’d jam on and eventually construct the skeletons of the songs on my EP. I then recorded them in my DAW to further perfect.
TSWS: Will you be putting any focus to performing live when the time comes?
Ja'wuan: Definitely, I’m really excited for people to experience my music live for the first time! I’m in the process of gearing up for live performances.
TSWS: What are you doing when you are NOT working on music?
Ja'wuan: I have an obsession with plants, I grow my own veggies and random house plants.
TSWS: What sort of things inspire you to write?
Ja'wuan: Anything can really...I’m into rhythms and when I hear people talk, I hear the rhythmic patterns and can later put melodies to the rhythms. Interesting time signatures and music theory also get me creating a lot!
TSWS: What's next for you as an artist?
Ja'wuan: I’m producing Maëdorá’s debut EP due in Fall 2021! She co-wrote and sang on majority of Strategies of Catching Light. Also putting together my next EP coming in 2022!
TSWS: What sort of advice would you have for other up and coming bands out there?
Ja'wuan: Have a really solid set of goals and look at them every day, work at them. But also remember to give yourself off days!
TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Ja'wuan: I’m so grateful for you all!