INTERVIEW: Jei-Rynn dives into his past alongside new single ‘maybe?’

Fresh off the bat of his ‘viole(n)t dreams’ EP last year, emerging artist Jei-Rynn is back on the grind once again to deliver his vibrant new single ‘maybe?’

Bringing back more of that raw and explosive alt-rock aesthetic he has been growing lately, ‘maybe?’ makes for an incredibly fun and invigorating return to form. So we sat down with him to find out more about his background and influences over the years.

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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?

I think the first rock artist that really made an impact on me was Linkin Park. They were my first favourite band when I was about 10 years old. Meteora was the first cd I ever bought. I remember loving the way their guitars sounded and all of their melodies. The angst and vulnerability of Chester’s voice really resonated with me. When you get to 10 years old, that’s when you really to start to become aware of the darkness in your world, and Linkin Park was speaking to me on a level I probably wasn’t even fully conscious of at the time. 

Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?

Some of my biggest musical influences in the rock genre are definitely The Beatles, Radiohead, Nirvana, and Joy Division. All of these bands have a discography I can listen to from front to back and never grow tired of. I like artists that really give a piece of themselves to the music; artists that make songs more than just entertainment. I think these artists did that beautifully. The Beatles and Radiohead have an eclectic and inspired catalogue, never shying away from new influences and expanding their sound. My songs tend to be different from one to the next; I’m always trying to serve the idea and the song itself to the best of my ability, despite preconceived notions of what my songs should sound like or how cohesive they need to be. The music of Nirvana and Joy Division is largely rooted in punk rock; their songwriting is simple in construction, but full of passion and inspiration. I aspire to this same level of passion and to create memorable melodies and chord progressions. 

Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?

I listen to movie soundtracks, jazz, hip-hop, pop, and even classical at times, so my music is very much informed by a variety of different genres and eras of music. I like any song that’s full of soul. I was listening to Max Richter the other day, his music is very moving. I’m always looking to be moved in some way, and I hope to create the same effect with my own music. 

What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?

I’m a very sensitive person, and I feel a lot of things on a daily basis, so when I’m going to write new music, I really don’t have to look too far or wide for inspiration. There is always something new that I’m battling on an emotional or even physical level, and each new battle is something to work out in a song. Some song ideas don’t have the gravity I need to see the song to completion, but other ideas are so consuming that I’m compelled to explore whatever emotional battle it might be about.  

What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?

It’s a bit of a cliche, but I do love the rush of performing. The pre-show jitters you might feel turn into your fuel when you take the stage; it’s exciting. And when I play live, it really does feel like I’m allowed to fully express myself in a way that I can’t in every day life. I love the feeling of singing at the top of my lungs to a crowd of strangers. Seeing people sing along to my songs is always memorable and meaningful to me at shows. I’m truly grateful for anyone that chooses to spend their night listening to my performance. 

What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?

Honestly, just receiving messages from listeners on social media and in person that have enjoyed my songs have been the most rewarding moments in my musical journey thus far. Music meant so much to me growing up, and still does. Music was a friend on nights when I felt like I had none. So when I receive messages from people saying that my music has had an impact, it really means something to me. I aim to write songs that can create a sense of connection, empathy, and community.  

How would you define success as a musician?

On one level, success as a musician is just expressing yourself with your music. Music can help you express yourself in ways that nothing else can. It’s very rewarding. On another level, I do feel most successful as an artist when I find that a song of mine has affected someone else in a positive way. Music and art can mean a lot to people, and that’s what I care about most; giving something to people. 

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?

I would tell aspiring artists to not give up. Be relentless. Be curious. Be daring. Beyond writing and performing music, there are many other skills needed in the modern landscape that will help you get your art out there (photo editing, video editing, social media management, etc), so you have to be open to learning more than just how to write a decent song. But if you truly love the music, you’ll probably love the other parts too. You’ll find a way to express yourself creatively through different mediums, and it will all enhance your art and your music. 

But most of all, don’t give up.

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Listen to Jei-Rynn’s new single ‘maybe?’ below.