Jorj Sabio On the Making Of ‘ODJI SPRINGS’
What is the creative process like?
A bit all over the place to be honest, I can be quite impulsive with an idea and run with it as long as I can before I lose steam and go more into thinking things over stage and might be a bit more critical. Sometimes it’s best to start something new as well if you start feeling meh about something. I work a lot from concepts and stories so I think I often start there lyrically. Musically it can be a beat or texture I produce electronically or something I’m playing on guitar and piano, and I’ll develop that, find some melodies and lyrics to go over it, or might already have some lyrics and see how it fits. It’s different each time and each song.
What are you most proud of about 'ODJI SPRINGS?'
That I was even able to make it, and present it the way I wanted to with the visual aspects. It always felt like this quite expansive concept and I feel so proud of what we achieved especially as an independent artist where you have to really graft to bring together the means to do something like this. I was very blessed to have so many beautiful people around me being so generous with their time and investing fully in it. It’s a real nod to family.
Have you noticed any particular interpretations or connections that listeners have made with this album?
You know I’ve not really spoken to many people about that. I think people definitely feel the album is very immersive and there is a sense that while it’s sonically shifting around to lots of places, people have said that it still feels very cohesive, which I think has a lot to do with my production style and it being a little bit wonky, there’s a lot you can get away with.
Can you tell us more about you as an artist?
I’m always really bad at answering this question. I’m from the UK, I wear quite a few hats. I’m an actor, songwriter, and producer as well as do advocacy and campaigning around the rights and fair remuneration of songwriters and composers.
What are some key elements that, in your opinion, make a collaboration successful?
Communication, openness, being willing to fail and being willing to forgive yourself and others at all times when things aren’t going to plan. Because ultimately you need to be on each other’s side and it’s important to create space for each other. But I also think it’s different for different collaborations and relationships. When you work with someone, you find your vibe and how translate ideas to one another. And then once you’re bouncing off each other, inspiring each other, challenging each other, and there’s a flow. You always know when something you make is special cause you have this shared moment and excitement.
