Discovering new music in a day and age where thousands and thousands of songs are added daily onto streaming platforms can feel overwhelming. But when the right algorithm comes into play and brings you a voice like Juke Ross, everything just feels right in the world in that moment.
The story of Juke Ross (so far): originally from Guyana, Ross relocated 2,537 miles to Brooklyn to pursue his musical dreams after his independently released single “Colour Me” garnered attention on Spotify. With his dusky-warm voice and penchant for thoughtfully written lyrics, it’s easy to hear why music fans resonate with Ross’ songs, as they take you on a journey –– whether it’s your happy place, or through your own reflections.
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with Juke Ross ahead of his show in Vancouver a few weeks ago, where he shared insights about his latest EP Trading Places, tour highlights and what to expect from him in the new year.
Photo credit: Caleb Thomas
asapmusicblog.ca: I actually discovered your music earlier this year through a Spotify playlist with “Fresh Roses” and was really connected to the emotion in the song. I was excited to see that you had a tour date in Vancouver!
Juke Ross: It’s good to know that the algorithms are working! I’m very grateful that I get to be here in Vancouver. I think that the locations that we played for this tour has made lots of sense. This is the last show and I’m really excited to leave it all on stage.
a: You’ve been on tour for a couple of weeks – you started in Washington, DC and made your way to Vancouver. What have been some of the most memorable highlights for you?
JR: DC is very sweet, New York was amazing because I live there and it’s good to see the awesome crowd that came out and sang the songs and know them so well. We went to Toronto, which sold out and it was a complete vibe. I love Canada from a distance, for a very long time I’ve been dreaming of coming here –– you guys were pretty serious on your border. When the chance came to play here, I got very excited. Whether it’s Toronto or Vancouver, Canada is a pretty special place to me.
a: What was the first song in your memory that inspired you to pursue music as a career?
JR: There’s this Otis Redding song –– “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember” –– that’s probably one of the first ones, I used to sing it all the time when I was a kid. It never really made sense that I wanted to do music, or I should do music or I can do music, or any of that. But five or six years ago, when I upgraded my internet connection from a dial-up to DSL, I got to listen to lots and lots more music. Besides discovering new music, I could stream Otis Redding, all of his live performances and really get into that kind of thing.
a: Congratulations on the release of your newest EP, Drifting Apart. Is there a theme within the EP that weaves all of the songs together?
JR: I would like to think so –– in fact, I would say so. The EP covers me leaving home, coming to a totally new place in the United States of America, getting settled without family and loved ones. I grew up with a very huge family and very protective, caring parents, so having to leave that for the first time… it was very daunting, but I was very excited at the same time not knowing what the challenges would be. I think the EP covers what is necessary for someone like me, what’s most important and just kind of the twists and turns along the way.
a: Does that theme connect into the artwork that was chosen for the EP?
JR: Yes! The artwork for the EP is me in a park in New York City.
a: Is it Central Park?
JR: It is Central Park. It’s essentially that first year, that first year and a half –– everyday I was in the park just by myself between the leaves and it seemed the only place I could find comfort and find space to breathe. With all that New York is, a complete concrete jungle, it was necessary towards my sanity.
a: The year is coming to an end soon, and naturally a time for people to look at the year ahead in 2020. What can we expect to see from you in the new year or what goals you’ve set for yourself?
JR: When I first started doing music, I had all these expectations of these hills I wanted to climb. I got so caught up in climbing the hills that I didn’t look around much. The hills are still there, they’re down the road… I’m just taking more time these days to walk and look around. So, I would say that you will definitely be hearing new music from me. The rest of the project –– Drifting Apart, the continuation of it leading into an album will come next year. Right now, I’m just in a hugely creative space, trying to write as much as possible, create as much as possible, do as much as possible.
a: Speaking of songwriting, you’ve released two EPs under your belt. What would you say has been an area of growth for you between your first EP release to your newest one.
JR: Collaborating. I was so anxious and nervous about collaboration for a very long time, just because of how I was raised and kind of accustomed to doing things by myself. I’m the kind of guy that I love to do the things that I love, and so far, I’ve managed to do those things alone. But these last few years, I’ve managed to overcome the fear of creating with other people around and that’s just been so huge because there’s so much that I’ve learned.
a: I also feel like songwriting, or writing in general, is so personal as well. To open it up, it’s like, “Here’s my heart, wide open!”
JR: Exactly! My way of songwriting is specific in that I just say things differently, so you have to spend time when other people are in the room and ensure that every one of them is on the same page as you.
a: If there was a message that you would want your music to convey when someone is listening to it, what might that be?
JR: Well the first one is peace –– finding peace in tranquility. I like to think of myself as a very chill guy, and that’s the first thing I naturally exude in my music. Another one would be redemption –– success or failure, it’s a part of the road really. It’s just the redemption part, the getting it back part, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
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Find out more about Juke Ross on social media, at https://www.jukerossmusic.com and listen to him on your favourite music provider.
