'Confidence' / Jitwam [Interview]
Jitwam invokes the bustling attitudes inherent in his sometimes-homes New York and London in his latest single and music video for “Confidence”
Brimming with busy instrumentalism, Jitwam’s latest single “Confidence” bounces between Brazilian samba-funk, dance-floor tempos and jazz, brought to life with an accompanying music video by London local Vivek Vadoliya.
We had the chance to speak with the free-floating producer and vocalist about the release and his upcoming shows in Naarm and Eora Nation supporting London-based jazz legend Yussef Dayes.
Tell me a little bit about your music history - were you always a musical kid? How did you start creating?
Music was always in my rhythm as a child, to the point where I can't even remember starting… it’s just always been there. My life has always been driven by ‘first thought, best thought’ and it’s in this spirit that my musical journey began.
“Confidence” is inspired by your time living in the busy metropolitan cities of London and New York. How have these cities influenced your music making? Have other cities had as strong an influence on your music in the past?
The sounds of the city inspire me a LOT. Not just the music, not just the melodies… but the sounds of trains passing, the sound of hustlers husslin’, the chit chatter of pedestrians on the street....I try and reflect this all in my music, and in this way my time in NYC affected this record a lot. Soaking up a lot of the latino and cuban rhythms in the busy streets of bBooklyn.
From your lyrics, to the way you command your body in music videos, to the title of this song, confidence seems to be at the root of all of your productions. Can you tell me a bit about your own confidence and how it commands your music? Have you always been like this, or is it something you overcame when young which has now translated to your music?
Confidence is something that i always struggle back and forth with.A lot of my music is meant to serve as a mantra to myself.to get myself inspired to overcome, or the confidence... To just get up and DO!
“Confidence is that swag in your step. A mantra to your true self to get up and shake the cosmic blues from your head to your toes”.
The music video traverses myriad styles - starting with a 1950’s B&W aesthetic, it explodes in colour and energy in sync with the bustling movement of the instrumentation. What was the inspiration behind the music video stylistically?
Vivek Vadioyola was the creative visionary behind the videos aesthetic. We had several discussions about colors and using simple ways to explore movement. he was very interested in capturing the energy of the live band with an explosion of colors… and i couldn’t be happier with it.
What is the main force that drives you to make music? Was there a moment in your life when you thought “this was it, this is what I want to do”?
Music happened to me very serendipitously. Down and out in NYC, my only way to survive was through music, and it has served as a blessing ever since.
You’re bringing your live band experience to Sydney and Melbourne this June as part of VIVID and Rising Festivals. What can we expect from these shows? How do you approach playing live differently to your recorded music?
The live band is a celebratory experience. One big house party. I’m so glad to be bringing the full live band experience to Australia for the first time. We have a dope lineup with some of Australia’s top musicians including Elle Shimada, Setwun and the IZY crew. I love interpreting the music live, there’s so much joy and freedom playing with the band, and so much space for improvisation into oblivion.
What’s next for Jitwam? What can we expect in the near future?
IT’S ALBUM TIME.
“Music happened to me very serendipitously. Down and out in NYC, my only way to survive was through music, and it has served as a blessing ever since”.
Images 1 & 2 by Vivek Vadoliya (@vivekvad) , image 3 by Elle Shimada (@elleshimada)
Interview by Margarita Bassova (@rxtabass)
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