10 Questions: JaJa Kisses
Introducing alternative West London R&B singer/songwriter Jaja Kisses! She’s been dropping intriguing, layered acapellas on Soundcloud since 2012 alongside creating content with art collective Last Night in Paris and she’s just released the ethereal Sleeping Alone. Her psychedelic vocals sit on top of spacey 808, bass infused, trappy/trippy instrumentals, produced by long term lab partner Flowzart. We caught up with her for some quick-fire questions…
1. Contestant, what’s your name, chosen craft and where are you based?
I’m JaJa Kisses, I’m a singer songwriter, born and raised in West London!
2. How would you describe your sound?
Ethereal anxiety/lust/introspection.
3. Who/what do you consider to be the biggest influence on your music?
My dad was a huge MJ fan and had a lot of his music around, naturally I was completely fascinated by his mystery, strangeness and irreplicable talent. He was probably the first artist that made me pick apart the components of a song and the choices the artist was making with their voice. I can remember the rush from hearing a melody, riff or transition that would just send me. I always think I hope my music can do that to people. Find that sweet spot of bliss just through sound.
4. What’s the proudest moment to date for you as an artist?
Putting out my first project. It was kind of like - ok you’re actually doing this. Now I just need to make another one hehe
5. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Yikes. Advice. Ummm. Sometimes bravery can suffice in the absence of confidence. Hopefully that helps someone lol :S
6. Name 3 people you would love to work with and why?
Björk - I was instantly captivated by her whole vibe when I first discovered her and really felt like my horizons broadened in terms of the kind of music I could choose to make. She seems like she has very few boundaries, I’d love to create soundscapes and such emotion led pieces like hers some day.
Kanye West - absolute musical GOAT and legend. I’m not sure if this needs further explanation. It’s Kanye dude.
James Blake - Swwooooonnnnnn. just. swoon. sonic swoon. singing along to a James Blake song is like meditation itself. I’m a sucker for unpredictable structures and rhythms and he just keeps on giving.
All of these people produce too… clearly I need to get onto fruity/Ableton lol.
I love pushing the boundaries of genre and structure. I imagine a day in studio with any of these people would probably be (nerve wrecking but also) a really free flowing “anything could happen” kind of magical session.
7. What have you got planned for the not so distant future?
Sleeping Alone! Out now yay, visual dropping Fri 9th Oct. Me half wallowing about and half getting on with the realisation I really am gonna have to love me more than anyone else can. Loonnggg.
And I’ve been itching to drop some other gems seeing as we won’t be doing up socials/concerts for a bit longer. I’m dropping a heart wrenching electro pop rhythm on Nov 13th called ‘Pressure’ and then one last ode to the year we were pretty much stuck at home, ‘Home’ out on Dec 20th.
8. What’s the album you’ve played more than any other?
Yikes I don’t know if I can answer this, it feels weird.
It might even be Mary J Blige The Breakthrough. The last moments of the CD, when I’d get one it became the soundtrack of my life for 2 years. Otherwise it’s very randomly Kings of Leon Only By Night. Or most likely House of Balloons The Weeknd.
9. What’s the best concert you’ve been to and where was it?
First concert I ever went to was WMA awards 2006, we got to see MJ in the flesh (although he didn’t perform) but we also got to see Beyonce, Rihanna, + more and I was like cool, I’m good for a little bit lol. But if that doesn’t count… has to be Solange at Lovebox maybe 2017/2016. And that’s a festival lol so if that doesn’t count Rico Nasty, Birthdays, Shoreditch 2017, I have scars on both my legs from moshing <3
10. Name three things you can’t live without?
Family
Sunny days
Meditation/introspection
Be sure to follow JaJa Kisses for the latest news and releases. Sleeping Alone is out now and you can stream it everywhere.
– Photos by Latoya Fits & Rob Palmer
