Who is Exojay? - In Bloom Interview

Shot by Iwan Cromack and ROQUE

Interviewed by Charlie Suter

Please introduce yourself as an artist and set the scene.

Most know me as Jay, I’m a producer, artist, and cinematographer. I’d describe my sound and aesthetic as dark, intimate, and moody. I live for atmospere and texture in music, I spend more time on that than I’d like to admit. I draw inspiration from a lot of alternative R&B and hip-hop production, anything that sounds abnormal tends to catch my ear. I treat my music as a world, one which I reside in, visually it usually comes across as late nights on the streets, just me and my thoughts really. 

What colour would best describe your music, and why?

Grainy indigo. I think it’s more of a texture but it’s really mesmerising to me. 

If your music could soundtrack a film, which film and scene would 

it be?

Moonlight or Malcom & Marie. There’s a night car scene in Moonlight with Kevin and Chiron, that scene really resonates with me in the sense that underlying feelings and conflicts make love more complicated than it should be.

What place, specific or general, does your music make you imagine? 

I reminisce of late nights in the city, just you and your thoughts. I used to be more of a countryside boy but I’ve come to love the loneliness that comes in the seemingly busiest of places.

Your music very much has that dark R&B feel, does a lot of your inspiration come from a 

darker place?

I am someone that lives in their head a lot, I’d say the thoughts and emotions I write about usually lean more dark and intimate. More of an under the hood kind of emotion. Aesthetically I just gravitate towards darker and moody scenes and sounds.

Who are your dream artists to collaborate with? Is there any that might surprise people?

There’s so many to choose from. I would say CARI and Venna at the moment, I’m a big admirer of their soundscapes and they are bringing something so fresh to the UK scene right now. The dream would be Frank Ocean but maybe in another lifetime.

There is something cinematic about the music you have released so far, is this intentional? Is there a story you are trying to tell through 

your sound?

The cinematic element in my work is very intentional. I am a firm believer of the visuals and sonics being equal in the process. I see it as a gateway into my world and seeing the music through a similar lens as I do. 

What do you hope for the future of Exojay? What around you is shaping your current trajectory?

Nothing less than success. Building my circle has definetely shaped the pace and heights of what I’m working towards, seeing the art that I’ve kept so close to myself resonate in the same way with other creatives always lights a fire in me.

I want to expand my visual world, more live shows, so much music, watch the space.