After establishing himself with a wealth of warm and riveting releases these last few years, Texas-based artist J The Producer is back once again to offer up his sweeping new single 'Soul War'.
Capturing a heady mix of soul and gospel influences for his latest outing, 'Soul War' makes for a beautifully sweet and tender listen. With his spellbinding voice layered across a breezy production from start to finish, he is certainly looking to sweep us off our feet with this one.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find our more about his background and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The very first instrument I fell in love with was the drums. I used to take the pots and tops out of the kitchen and set them up in the room to make a fake drum set. Even until now I begin all my productions with the rhythm section first before I move on to the melody.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up listening to various styles of music, from Quartet Gospel, Choral, Country, Bluegrass, RNB, Pop and Classical. My favourite list is kind of broken down in parts and hard for me to have one answer, so I’ll say this; Gospel is my favourite when it comes to the message, RNB when it comes to melody, Bluegrass and RNB when it comes to harmonies.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Ha, thinking back on it I think the very first album I bought with my own money was my old RNB group self-titled album called “O-Ficial”. I have parents and relatives that had records and cassette tapes and CDs so I didn’t really have to buy anything.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I honestly don’t have one. Each song from an artist should flow naturally from that artist and whether it be good or bad, it came from his or her heart and so I live by that. What comes from me is what I should have written.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I always start with music first and then depending on my mood that flows through the creation of the music bed will then help aid the formation of the lyrics that will then come from my heart. I like to turn the lights off in the studio and only have the lights coming from the computer and instruments so that those are the only things that are a focus and also make it feel like I’m alone and not in a huge or medium space.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
As much as I am a musician and writer I don’t spend a lot of time listening to other artists. I am constantly listening to instrumentals and songs I’ve either recently created or created in the past. I don’t have a favourite artist.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
If I had to pick I would say maybe opening up at an R Kelly Show mainly because I have been compared to him mostly and therefore those who like his style of singing and production would most likely like mine and so from a business standpoint it would make sense but since my first priority is the message I am preaching in my music and the people I would want to hear it for that reason, any show would do.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I think the most rewarding part for me is when the idea I had becomes a finished song that is mastered, and now something that once didn’t exist now does. It’s even better when others hear it and like it but that’s just an added bonus.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part for me is trying to do all the business stuff of releasing for people to hear the music. Lol I’m a creative mind first and so I always want to stay in that mode and in the past I tried to do the promo and marketing stuff myself but I’d rather let others handle that so I’m not so stressed, because stress ruins creativity. Oh yea, also when the recording software crashes is also a highly frustrating part of being a musician.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
My advice for other musicians would be to remember that your skill and talent is a gift from above from the One God that made us all whose name is Yahweh, and since it is a gift from him then therefore it is to be used in service of him and not for yourself. Any gift given from above is to help others and not destroy them. Uplift people and inspire them to love one another by not harming one another in word or deed and you will do good in the sight of the men who observe your gift and the God who gave it to you.
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J The Producer's new single 'Soul War' is available to stream now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.