HJ Soul is an rising RnB/Soul singer-songwriter who embarked on his professional musical journey by impressing audiences with soulful renditions of classic hits of the past several decades which garnered him a dedicated following. As his artistry evolved, he transitioned into a prolific songwriter, using his music to express his personal experiences and deep spirituality. HJ Soul writes songs from the soul with real meaning attached to them. He delves into the intricate realms of the human psyche and spiritual concepts with an enlightening message in each song written. There will be several songs that he will be releasing in the near future that have been written to help venture fans into a journey of solitude and spirituality.
With “Unbreakable” out now, we took some time to hear from HJ Soul. Read below to learn more about HJ Soul, the story behind “Unbreakable,” and what’s to come.
Hi HJ Soul! Let’s start with how did you choose your moniker?
That was something that naturally was created from nothingness if you like, almost like the big bang, like the feeling of the time I wanted to start doing music from nothing. The name has significance to me as an individual and the last part is the style of music I like to create.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I think I knew it was always me music, I have tried many things in life and tried soul searching and everything seemed like I was trying to be somebody who I felt truly was never me. I cannot pinpoint exactly when I thought to pursue music, and as I’ve wrote in my song, “Unbreakable,” what was hidden was always written. And I think this part of my life was waiting to unfold to pursue something that was genuinely me and that’s creating music. I then thought why not pursue something that naturally is aligned to me, and although, making a career from this is very difficult if you never pursue it how will you know if you can make a career out of it and the many possibilities that could follow from it with perseverance. So I think it was a few years ago now that I thought to think about ways and plan out how I could potentially make this work, and really, I am stilly trying to figure it all out as life is like that isn’t it. If it works out then great if not then at least I am doing something I enjoy. I am not here to please anybody about my music, I am doing this as I know its me and I am expressing my emotion and personality through my music.
How has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound?
I have learnt that music needs to have a deeper meaning to it, as my song, “Unbreakable,” does, and so I wanted to create a song that expresses individuality and uniqueness through it and tells the story of the self. So, ultimately my goal as an artist is to remember who I am as a person and feed that emotion into the songs that I cocreate and write. Sometimes individuals due to fear find it easy to follow the societal norms that have been outdated for so long, and I feel from being part of a certain culture that the upbringing can lead individuals down these inevitable paths just to fit into society, without truly knowing who they really are and want from life. I chose the other path as I was at a crossroads where I felt so detached from life, although, I knew by me having this musical ability, it almost helped me like a tool to write meaningful songs about how I am going to be different, and that I am going to be who I truly feel I am meant to be and ascertain that I do everything in my power to be that.
How would you describe your sound?
I would say I like to create soulful music as an artist, and like to implement neo-soul and psychedelic soul styles to my music to give it that ethereal sound.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I like to exercise, I think that’s important for the mind, body and soul. So, I like to keep fit. I also like to socialise and just enjoy life generally and take each day as it is, without thinking too much about tomorrow if possible.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I have many, although, in modern times I like what Cleo Sol is doing at the moment, the music sounds very spiritual and soulful having a sort of nostalgic sound to them, and the music industry needs that.
Who would be a dream to collaborate with?
My dream music collaboration would be with Cleo Sol or Stevie Wonder.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
I think its when you hear fans compliment the songs that I release in any way that could be. I think that motivates me to create even more music going forward and it shows that I can connect with people through telling my story through my songs.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
Follow the path that is aligned with your soul whether that’s career or anything that you want to have success with in life, and also anything that you want to pursue in life, don’t let anybody talk you out of your dreams. It’s also important to know to not expect success quickly, it takes time and possible failures to get to that pinnacle and so don’t let the failures define your worth. I feel these words of wisdom should be valid throughout life. I think our fate is what we make of it, and so take charge of what you want in life and complete those goals that you’ve set out to accomplish until fruition.
Now onto your release, “Unbreakable.” What inspired this song? What is “Unbreakable” about?
Sometimes it is only ourselves that can see where we are going and what we need to do to be successful in life, and this can be the motivation to put the effort in to create a life that you thought only existed in dreams. I’ve always thought that you almost have to ‘dream’ or ‘create the vision’ in your mind first, and if it’s there it’s like you’ve already manifested it subconsciously and your subconscious mind is almost the universe favouring your courage to pursue this vision to fruition. If you can see the end of the path from a higher ground, its only ever then about going through that path, and it might be that you have been diverted of course, although, if you listen beyond the noise then it is then you can hear what was there all along. I’ve always thought that if somebody else was able to do something amazing in life and pursue their goals that seemed amazingly difficult, then why would I then need to think that it’s impossible for me to be who I aspire to be.
A song symbolizing rebirth within a lifetime. A spiritual song which personifies the unbreakable soul and spirit of an individual. A truly cinematic masterpiece that could be in any film where struggle turns into courage and success. I think it is important there is a platform out there where people can connect to music with enlightening sounds and motivational words. And, so I think this style of the music is needed in a time like this where belief is needed more than ever.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Unbreakable?”
I think the artwork shows that I am now living life by the spiritual guidance of a divine light that I have found in the void from many years of struggle. I feel like the artwork shows I am divinely guided to live my life to the fullest and the light is showing me the way to that path to my destiny.
What was the creative process like when making “Unbreakable?”
I think the creative process was interesting as I was in many settings when creating the song. To complete the production of the song that required me being in the studio frequently. The writing of the song I could’ve done anywhere where the mood and feeling was right to complete that particular verse or line of the song. And the vocals needed emotion so I would choose days to get the vocals done on days where I had energy to connect to the emotion of those words I would be singing in each part of the song. It was an easy and also difficult with the energy needed to complete the song, and so knowing the moments of when to work on the song was important.
How long did it take to complete “Unbreakable?”
It took a while, the song writing itself was quick because if you connect with the meaning or the story of a song very well especially if its very relatable to me as an individual, then the words will flow naturally when writing the song. It was the production of the song and melodies that took a while, as the emotion had to fit the exactly the idea that I had, and so it required frequently going to the studio to perfect certain areas of the song and I still don’t know if its polished enough for me, although, for me it is perfect. Although, it would be great to created a remastered song at some point as well.
What is your favorite lyric in “Unbreakable” and why?
Favourite lyric in “Unbreakable” was probably “What was hidden is what was written.” Makes it sound like it was a prophecy, and the concept sounds ethereal.
What do you hope fans take away from “Unbreakable” and your music in general?
I think the most important thing about this all would be the fans. I think if the fans can connect to the words and emotion in the song then that’s enough for me to continuously work towards creating more new music. If I am able to be release new music that has meaning to it rather than for the sake of it, then I think naturally fans will be gravitated towards the authenticity of it all. It’s great now that there’s the opportunity to distribute your music to major flatforms online which is easier to share to potential fans across the world. Ultimately “Unbreakable” is about an individual who is “Unbreakable” and the message of the song is that challenges might manifest as obstacles in life in any form, without any rhyme or reason, but, that small light of hope is somewhere hidden deep within you waiting for you to find it in the most challenging times to see you through.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I don’t know at the moment. That’s the best thrill of life I never know what’s next, and I don’t want to think about it too much. I let energy flow naturally without thinking about things too much. I have an unexplainable feeling within me when I like to start projects and when I feel like its the right time for that, so until that time I am fine as I am and will continue to just enjoy life the best I can.
Where can we follow you on social media?
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZcAvVfi4KZipKnJm1YXx4w
https://www.instagram.com/hj_soul
https://www.facebook.com/p/HJ-Soul-100087656889616
https://music.amazon.ca/artists/B07YKJ48BC/hj-soul
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HkvihfuV6uzHjobauVkrX
Before you go, let’s ask you an off-topic question. What is your favorite food?
My favourite food is probably pasta.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
