Welcome back to Unrecorded! Today, we’re catching up with Jozem, the Rwanda-born, Toronto-based artist whose soulful blend of introspective lyrics and genre-defying sounds has captivated audiences. It’s been a while since we last heard about his work, and in this conversation, Jozem opens up about his journey over the past few years, the creative process behind his latest release, the Summerhaze EP, and the importance of emotional vulnerability in his music. Join us as we dive into the heart and mind of this emerging artist, exploring the stories and experiences that shape his art.
Welcome back to Unrecorded! It’s been a little white since we last heard about the Jozem project. What have you been up to?
I’ve just been experiencing life, in all its joys and rough patches. It’s been a rough couple of years and I’ve been letting myself feel the feels, good and bad, trying to learn from it all, trying to channel it into my music and other creative outlets.
Let’s dive right in and talk about your Summerhaze EP, what does this release mean to you?
Summerhaze is a literal release for me, I unfortunately tend to hoard my music and overthink things and this EP is an exercise in letting go… It’s a collection of songs that are each dear to me but for one reason or another hadn’t found their way out or onto a larger body of work. I’d been sitting on them and just needed to let them go…
Why were you drawn to the theme of emotional vulnerability?
I don’t think I know otherwise, at least in terms of my music. I’m definitely not an open book irl, but through my music, I feel I can express myself honestly and truly. It’s always been my outlet, my coping mechanism; it is a form of therapy for me.
What’s your songwriting process like?
It really varies, often it’s mostly the melodies and feeling that come first then the lyrics take shape. It often feels like figuring out a puzzle, like downloading from my subconscious or trying to remember a dream.
Who are some of the major influences on your sound?
It’s hard for me to pinpoint really because I listen to a lot of stuff but don’t usually intentionally reference anyone in particular- I’d say ‘what’ rather than ‘who’ and the simple answer would be ‘life’.
Who are some newer bands and artists currently on your listening rotation right now?
They’re not really new butI’ve been listening to a lot of Saya Gray lately, the new album by JPEGMAFIA (don’t rely on other men!), God Made Dirt by Matthew Progress/ Dan Only was also on heavy rotation this past year!
As a member of Toronto’s multicultural community, has music helped you navigate your identity
and find connection with others?
Music has always offered me a means to process and help navigate the complexities of life. The identity part I felt especially in my twenties and reflected on in my first album, ‘it came to me in a dream.’ I think when you share yourself authentically- in music or in life, then you will find connection with like minded individuals, and that has been true in Toronto as it tends to be wherever I go and have the opportunity to share myself and my music.
Do you have any advice for fellow or future songwriters who want to branch out of their comfort
zone?
Block out all the noise, do the thing that scares you!
And lastly, what can fans expect from Jozem this year?
I’m hoping to get out there and do more live shows, working on another project as well- an album – that I’ll be talking about soon, hopefully 🙂
You can find title-track ‘Summerhaze’ in our R&B For Days playlist.
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