Formula Indie Sessions – Interview with KingJei
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Honestly I used to love listening to music and and shit and playing around with instruments when I was little. I mean both of my parents were musicians and so I kinda just messed around and stuff, but I remember playing around with instruments and listening to music a lot as a kid and one of my first memories was actually figuring out, like what a beat was, on my own. Never took a music class or anything but I think it was 97.9 my family was playing in the car and I just started tapping my hand on beat and shit and from there I kinda figured out 4/4 and measurements and all that shit.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Uhh, honestly I kinda just grew up doing music and shit alottt. Like I wanted learn drums I wanted to learn Piano, guitar all that shit. And so I kinda always had that passion and curious nature towards sounds and harmonies and beats and all that. I was a very curious child if Ima be real.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
So my next project is really just a culmination or a refresh of my first project, thematically. I really want to start showing people my vocals more, because alot of people don’t know I can sing yet and I want to do more of that before I go further into the inner thoughts of Jei, of me. So I really am just getting this project out there, a fun project honestly, just something that people can enjoy in the times right now. Because there is ALOTTT of shit happening in the world right now. So really just a fun party project yknow, have fun, be with friends, fall in love or whatever kinda themes. But I do definitely have a lot more conscious shit to show the world too, so, it’s kinda gonna be in both worlds a little.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Genius haha. But seriously I would describe it as a mix of everything I’ve learned, everything I’ve seen in the world. It’s just my life but the way I try to deliver it is you can keep coming back to every song and finding something new. Each listen is like a new experience but familiar in some sense, if that make sense.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I’ve learned so much, I think it’s mostly about learning who I am from here on in relation to the music industry . It’s hard to pick one single thing music wise when I feel like I been doing it for most of my life.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Pen and paper. That’s all I really ever need. I write all my lyrics down, everything is a thought out process. I try to make every word, every lyric connect to something or pay off in a way.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Ahh man there’s many. I would say I’ve been around a lot of great artists in my circle and around the city and people that just show love and support me and shit. It’s hard to choose one I don’t think I can. I have been listening to a lot of Garret Sparrow and mellow stuff lately though.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Honestly that’s all art is, just personal experience. So everything I lived and been through, that’s affected my art in different ways you know. Everybody has shit that goes on in their life and how they choose to express that is how they choose to express it. For me it’s always been art, music, writing all that. That’s just how I express myself.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope my listeners learn to stand up for what they believe in. To really pursue their passions and be the person they want and hold the values that they hold in a way that allows them to navigate life you know. I just want the world to be a better place at the end of the day while creating a path for mine and people like me and around me.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Love yourself, value yourself. Always pursue passion over temporary shit because that’s what really is your purpose on this Earth, truly. The shit you’re passionate about is the shit that keeps you going, that’s really how we better society is to start pursuing and loving yourself and what you want in life.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I would love to perform at SxSW this upcoming year. I would love to perform for Tyler’s shit at Camp Flog Gnaw. Really any venue I’d love to work with but those are my goals right there.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
FlyLo, I think his style of production is iconic. I really grew up on those Adult Swim tracks he did and the collabs with Kendrick and Paak.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Follow my IG, @kingjeikriz. My website is main.kingjei.com and my Spotify is King Jei, tap in family.
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Next is hopefully get recognized you know? We on the way up, my homies at Kreativitynxtdoor doing good shit too. I think we really on the way, we just need the recognition.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope everyone learns that I’m really trying to make the right moves to better the world. Put people on knowledge and bring love to the world around me. That’s all.
Come see me live‼️
