Pjos On the Making Of “Everything Was Taken Away”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Everything Was Taken Away?"
The song was born from my reflections on the duality of loss. When something or someone leaves our lives, we lose both the good and the bad. And though loss carves a hollow, it’s never truly empty. At the same time, there’s a glimmer of hope that things will be okay. That’s why the b-side "But It’s Gonna Be Okay" emerges so naturally, it’s almost like light breaking through the cracks. In the end, "Everything Was Taken Away" is a moving testament to letting go and finding comfort in the aftermath.
Can you share any interesting or unique musical elements or production techniques used in this single?
One of the most unique aspects of the single is how the outro transitions into the b-side, making the two songs feel like chapters of the same story. I also experimented with simplifying things, realizing I don’t always need ten overlapping guitar layers! Finally, I’m really happy with how the vocal effects turned out. Layering different octaves added an extra emotional depth to the song.
What impact do you hope "Everything Was Taken Away" will have on your audience?
Honestly, I don’t think too much about how people will receive my songs. It’s art, every person will feel it in their own way. But I hope that people connect with it somehow, maybe even notice how I’m evolving as an artist and feel excited to see what’s coming next.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Music has always been my way of making sense of the world. I’ve had a reference at home since I was born: My father was a singer, and because of that, the music environment feels like my backyard. I held myself back for a while before starting to make my own music, but everything finally came together last year. It just feels natural now. Music is my way of expressing myself, and I’ll keep moving forward, forging my path at my own pace.
Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and composing music?
It usually starts with a piece of melody that comes to me randomly, and I build the song around it. But with "Everything Was Taken Away," the entire song popped into my head, and I did my best to translate it into reality. From there, I layer sounds and textures, usually starting with ethereal synths and building the atmosphere with guitars and additional synth layers. The lyrics and vocals typically come last. Even when I know the concept of the song, it takes time to get the words right. Finally, I listen back and ask myself, “Does this feel authentic? Does it create the mood I want to convey?”