Q: Breakups are some of the most painful things someone can go through, and the lyrics perfectly describe the feeling. Can you take me through you writing process in making “I Digress”?
JōVIKY: The lyrics for “I Digress” are based on a real situation that I had sort of buried inside. Going through a breakup is always hard but when good things are also happening in your life at the same time, it just amplifies the confusion of the moment. I wanted to express that feeling but also how a breakup can be a reflective time of positive change for both people, even though the path to that positive space will ultimately involve a very intense and painful conversation.
Q: Who would you most like to collaborate with, if it could be anyone in the world?
JōVIKY: That’s a good question. There are so many creatives I admire that would be awesome to collaborate with but I think the ultimate for me would be Kanye. And I’m not even sure if I’d only want to make music with him. It would be dope to just get in the room with Ye, brainstorm ideas and just make something incredible that the world hasn’t seen before.
Q: I love the fusion of genres here, with a jazz-lofi beat. What was your creative process in making “I Digress?”
JōVIKY: The beat was produced by the amazing Charlie Harding of the “Switched on Pop” podcast. He actually featured the instrumental in one of their episodes breaking down the lo-fi hip hop sound and why it’s so popular. I heard it and reached out to him about using the beat for a song. Luckily the instrumental was still available. I actually wrote two complete songs to the instrumental and decided “I Digress” was the right one to put out. I was able to heal from a lot of past trauma while making this song and I feel like if it can help me, maybe it can help someone else heal too.
Q: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
JōVIKY: I think artists should be in control of their creative destiny. I would restructure the industry to give artists much more power and autonomy. In the early 1920’s, a group of the biggest movie stars of the time created their own film studio (United Artists) in order to have ownership over their work and I think it would be really dope if the music industry heavy hitters could do the same in this day and age.
Q: What kind of advice would you give to other up and coming bands trying to get their names out there?
JōVIKY: My advice is to just stay true to yourself and your vision and make the music that speaks to your soul. Don’t worry about chasing genres or trends. Create your own lane and bring the audience with you on a journey.
Q: What do you do when you AREN’T working on music?
JōVIKY: I love exploring and finding cool random taco spots in LA. I also recently got into wine-tasting . In another life, I’d love to be a world-class sommelier. I think that would be dope as hell.
Q: If you could have your fans remember one thing about you, what would it be?
JōVIKY: I want to be known and remembered for helping people find and follow their true passion in life. Love yourself enough to give your heart what it wants. That’s the Jōviky philosophy.
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
