Singer Elujay Talks Artistry, Chaos And His New Project Circmvnt
Singer, songwriter and producer Elujay gives us the inside scoop on his latest project, Circmvnt.
Photographer: Julian Dakdouk
What role did music play in your life growing up, and what inspired you to start recording music in 2016?
I was always in and around music growing up. My parents, my dad, specifically played a lot of instrumentals, and they put me in a bunch of music classes growing up: piano, trumpet; that's what inspired me.
I've heard some gospel influences in your music. What challenges you more when creating music, recreating a reference, or being the reference creating something completely original?
I think a point of reference is always good for anything when you're creating, but once you get to a place in creativity when you've found your sound, you can be your point of reference to what sound you're building. That's what I've done. And I grew up in church, so gospel music is important to me.
When it comes to your artistry, you wear many hats: writer, producer, graphic design. How easy or hard is it for you to let collaborators come into your creative space?
It's pretty easy! I was to make the best music possible, and if someone has a better suggestion, I'm all for it.
What inspired your new album, Circmvnt?
This album, for me, is like a playlist. It's a bunch of music I like with elements of the early 2000s, 70s, Joni Mitchell, and electronic music. It's all over the place, but it has a sound. This is an emotional album because I'm telling a story, and the genre, to me, doesn't matter in my eyes. The genre is the vehicle to get the emotion out. I want people to enjoy the music and understand the story I'm telling.
Can you give us any insight on the story you're telling on Circmvnt?
Yes, it's about finding your way around things amid chaos. That's what circumvent means, find a way around an obstacle.
How do you handle the chaos?
I have a dog, so I go on walks, I hike a lot, play guitar, read a book, smoke a spliff or something, drink some wine. I unwind to handle chaos.
Photographer: Julian Dakdouk