#jay pray

I’m aware that I’m making a massive generalisation here, but... So many music videos these days a.) (seem to) have nothing whatsoever to do with the actual content of the song they’re attached to and b.) often also seem like they have nothing of much importance to impart to their viewers (aside from blatant sex appeal, of course).

Therefore, I think it’s especially exciting to watch videos with some sort of storyline, character development, or cleverly obscured underlying message.  After all, a video is not even remotely the same medium as the song itself, and therefore allows an artist another means of expression to utilise in a completely different way.

With this video, Jay Pray (AKA Justin Romanos) has (very effectively in my opinion) attached a message, many feelings, and, ultimately, a story to his hit single “Smile”.  Employing vivid imagery to evoke visceral emotions, the video reflects on life and relationships, and explores the way certain complexities of each are often inextricably intertwined.  To me at least, the “Smile” music video feels poignant and important, lingering after the last buzz of electric notes has faded with the screen to black.

INTRODUCIN #44- JAY PRAY

Hailing from Brooklyn we have synth pop troubadour Jay Pray who astounded our ears and hearts with debut single  I'd Go Anywhere (Do Anything) in the Summer. He is prepping the release of his debut self titled LP in October via Think Thought Records and while doing so shared his thoughts on his sound and his city.

01. Hey. How are you and what's going on?  Hey! I'm doing great!  I just released my first single so I'm still riding the wave of joy of finally being able to release some music after working under the radar for so long.  

02. What artists made you want to get into making music?  Hm.. Well the first music I can remember being really into was The Offspring when I was a toddler.  I had a babysitter we called "T-T," who would always rock out to their tapes. But I think it was like blink-182 that made me want to be a rockstar haha.  I was all into the skateboard/punk/pac sun scene and shit like that even though I couldn't skateboard for shit.  I still cringe when I think about it.  But who doesn't cringe at their 10 year old self? 

03.Is there a general theme for your upcoming self titled long player? I'd say there is a theme sonically.  This album was sort of formed out of another album I had recorded.  I was working with my producer and we just kept coming up with new stuff, and the new stuff is what we decided to put out first.  So it's actually the most recent stuff I've made and as a result has a pretty cohesive sound to it.

04. What was the inspiration behind debut track I'd Go Anywhere (Do Anything)? I just wanted to make a song that has a dance groove but is also really full of energy.  I was getting really into Roosevelt around the time I wrote this song and really liked the nu-disco vibe they have. But I've also been really into Tame Impala so they were a big inspiration.   05. What city are you from and what are some of your favourite  things about that city? I'm from a really small rural town in Connecticut called Woodbury.  It literally has nothing going on.  Except I think it might have a world record for most antique shops on one street.  And Rob Zombie lived here for a little while, but his house was next to a skate-park and he made a big deal out of kids making noise so he left.  Rollingstone actually wrote about it. But I'd have to say my favorite thing about it now was the same thing I hated about it growing up - That it's a quiet town. Living in the city can be draining so it's nice to be able to get away from it and just be back in nature.

06. Do you remember the name of the first track you wrote? What was it about and when was it? It was a song called Strange Life.  It was a song about aliens or something.  I've always been into that stuff I wrote it for a talent show when I was like 12.  I got a few of my friends and taught them how to play it.  I think I still have a video of it.  But yeah it was during that cringe worthy phase so I don't like to think about it. 07 What are some of the things you are missing about your home town? I can't say I miss my hometown very much because I visit so often.  It's only an hour and a half from where I live in NYC so I visit it pretty frequently.  What I really miss though is Philadelphia, where I went to college.  I lived there for about five years before moving to Brooklyn.  I actually haven't had any time to go back since moving because I was recording every weekend. But I miss my friends so much.  And some of a favorite spots.  I'm actually going back this weekend to shoot a music video so I'm stoked! 08 What are things you cannot live without musically? My laptop and a pair of headphones.

Music | New Music Thursday – 4 August 2016

Almost Ghosts are an indie-electronic trio from Dublin who layer driving synths, atmospheric guitars and that pre-gig indie rock to get you psyched.  Think Two Door Cinema…