Interview: Sjay

1: How did you decide on the name, “Sjay"?

My real name's Sanjay and a lot of people in college just said "SJ" for short so I figured it was a good fit for a stage name!
2: What inspires you to create?
Good music. I know a lot of people draw inspirations from life when they first get inspired, but I find nothing makes me want to create more than hearing other music that I love. Especially something new I've never heard before.
3: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a creative profession?
I would just make sure they're fully conscious of the fact that it's never a guarantee. Just making good, quality music/good art isn't enough. There's so much more involved in finding success, and I think it's just important to keep that in mind.
4: Do you feel open minded about what you listen to? Do you like going out of your comfort zone?
Absolutely. I'm definitely one of those people who constantly switches between anything from lo-fi bedroom pop to hard mathy punk stuff. There's only a few genres where I don't like at least a couple artists.
5: What outlets do you find out about music from? (Record stores, magazines, samplers, etc.)
Usually friends. Although I've actually discovered a few people who I love through YouTube and Instagram ads interestingly enough. If someone recommends something to me I always give it at least a couple tries. 
6: What is your favorite format to listen to music on? (CD, Vinyl, etc.)
Streaming! I never really got into vinyls, although I'd like to eventually. 
7: What band/artist do you think everyone should listen to?
I'm not sure if it's for everyone but I've been listening to nothing but Pi'erre Bourne lately. He's a super accomplished rap producer but he has a ton of solo stuff that I just started getting into. His production + vocals have just been pure magic for me lately. A lot of my production lately has been super inspired by him for sure. Guillotine is a song I'd definitely recommend. 
8: What motivates you to check out a new artist?
Hearing a good song. Once I love a song it's inevitable that I go check out the rest of their stuff. I get extremely addicted to certain sounds/vocal tones and can't get enough of them in the moment.
9: Who was the first band/artist that became your favorite band?
Definitely Linkin Park, a lot of their later albums still inspire me to be honest., their take on emotional pop/electronic was a big part of my early teen years. 
10: What was the inspiration for your song “no summer”?

It's mostly a love song, but it's also a bit about lockdown and covid life. Seeing friends and meeting someone new were all things that weren't allowed, but if the latter happened to happen, I think you found yourself in a really weird spot. It's also the first song in this new era of self produced music. I'm excited to be doing everything on my own now and it's a sign of more to come!!!!