Q&A: Akari
☆ By Jeffrey Kelly ☆
Photo By Sammy Ray Nelson
SUPER SIMPLE - a small phrase that embodies and offers inspiration for one New York producer/rapper's primary goal in music, to "just keep improving, no matter what." Although the goal might be "super simple," the phrase should not be used when describing Akari's intricate work. After creating his first two projects, Lazyboy and Dreamgarden, which have been considered as "slow, but dancey," by NYU's blog, nyulocal, Akari, aka Jordan Taylor, released his debut studio album, NOMOH. With this album, Akari dug deeper into the elements that made his first two projects unique to create an album that turns his exciting mix of basslines and synths into a silky-smooth sound.
With this 10-track project, Akari showcases his growth as an engineer/producer and a taste level that ranges through different genres. It's hip-hop, and neo funk undertones allow for a serene and nostalgic atmosphere throughout the album. Now with his most recent single, "Same Place," Akari's sound has developed to focus more on dance music.
Read below to learn more about Akari and how current events have affected his creative processes.
Photo By Sammy Ray Nelson
LUNA: How are you doing lately? How are you taking care of yourself these days?
AKARI: I’ve been doing alright, a lot better as of recent. Quarantine and the ongoing struggle with the police/this country, in general, has definitely been weighing down on me mentally, but I’ve finding a lot of solace in music and talking friends who are also struggling. Also, I’ve been making more grilled cheese sandwiches, haha.
LUNA: Your most recent release, "Same Place" with Afterthought and Shah Leezy, has a really smooth flow going on. Sonically, what are some elements you’d like to explore with upcoming music?
AKARI: Thank you! Big shoutout to the homie Afterthought and much love to Shah Leezy for hopping on the track! To be honest, Iʼve been a bit all over the place with the stuff I’m working on right now. I have been DJʼing and making more dance music, which is something I wasn’t really hip to till last year after studying abroad in Berlin. When I came back I realized that there were a ton of people in New York who were heavily involved in the dance scene, and have been pushing the boundaries for some time now.
LUNA: NOMOH showed a lot of growth from your first release Lazyboy. Were there any key influences that shaped this evolution?
AKARI: I feel like I was still trying to discover and explore different sounds with Lazyboy and Dreamgarden. With NOMOH, I definitely was exploring, but there was a lot more focus and intention on how I wanted to showcase myself and my skills. I’ve been shifting more towards the producer/engineer side of things, and I feel like NOMOH definitely shows that.
LUNA: How has quarantine affected your creative process? Whatʼs that process look like for you?
AKARI: For most of quarantine, I wasnʼt really making much, to be honest. I draw a lot of inspiration from going to shows, hanging with friends, and just normal life stuff in general, so when that all stopped, the music also kinda halted for a bit. Now Iʼve been kinda picking things back up and using music as therapy. Thereʼs really nothing like losing yourself in a beat for an hour or two and then coming out of it with a song and a calm mind.
Photo By Derin Calgar
LUNA: Whatʼs been inspiring you lately?
AKARI: Iʼve been drawing a lot of inspiration from the culture shift thatʼs happening right now. A lot of people are becoming aware of the system and itʼs flaws and are actively trying to change it. Even if it just starts with realizing their own behaviors and biases and making an effort to better themselves.
LUNA: I love the visual side of your work - you share many fire graphics and video stuff! Why is tapping into the visual side of your music important to you?
AKARI: Honestly, the visual work is still something that Iʼm trying to tap into more and connect with the music. I feel like it can help with creating a mood and a world for these beats and songs to live in. Before I did music, I was really into doing graffiti and graphic design, but I stopped for a long time, so I feel like this is also me tapping back into that, but now I have a soundtrack to accompany it the visuals as well.
LUNA: How has your interest in other creative endeavors played into one another?
AKARI: I feel it definitely gives me a different perspective when trying to figure out new concepts for my music. I remember hearing someone say inspiration begets inspiration, and that really has stuck with me. There are definitely moments when I have creative blocks when making music, so Iʼll try something else like DJʼing or drawing and then come back to the music later, and Iʼll end approach it completely different.
LUNA: Whatʼs one thing you want people to know about you as an artist?
AKARI: Just like anyone else, at one point, I didnʼt know anything about music or the process behind it. I feel like one of my main goal as an artist is to just keep improving, no matter what. Super simple goal, but itʼs one of the things that really keeps my inspired.
LUNA: I know a lot is going on now, and so much is in the air, but do you have any upcoming goals or plans youʼd like to share?
AKARI: Iʼm currently working on finishing this dance/house project, so definitely stay on the lookout for that. Also, Iʼm definitely trying to collaborate with more artists, whether itʼs doing production or engineering. Thatʼs been something Iʼve really been enjoying doing recently, and hadnʼt spend much time doing earlier in my career.
CONNECT WITH AKARI
Spotify
Listen
-
From Pavietra 🕊️ https://t.co/BXVgWlZud8 -
slowthai by Rosie Matheson 🤩 https://t.co/z7SDfFQ5iF
-
RT @i_D: Ian Kenneth Bird photographs young punks on Polaroid: https://t.co/MKT0tMUqO9 https://t.co/a0tTl12ML5
-
RT @AnOtherMagazine: #DreamHome – this isolated idyll in the mountains of Lanzarote 🌵 📸 via Nowness, photography by Clemence Blr 🔁 https://t.co/GUusdxD0cg
