Jai Wolf's 'Kindred Spirits' EP Feels Like a Movie [Interview + EP Stream]

When I first interviewed Jai Wolf back in early 2015, I had no idea that he would evolve into the artist that he has become today. I’ve followed him since his No Pets Allowed days and since he has made his transition into Jai Wolf, he has continued to impress without fail. A bold testament to his evolution as an artist, Jai Wolf’s Kindred Spirits EP is nothing short of a cinematic journey into a grand and vibrant world of sound.

Recently we got the chance to reconnect with Jai Wolf and touch base on his Kindred Spirits EP, his new bus tour and what helps keep him sane with such a busy schedule. Check out our full interview with him below and stream his Kindred Spirits EP below.

Jai Wolf – Kindred Spirits EP

RTT: First, congratulations on your up coming EP, are you nervous for the release?

Definitely. I’m a little bit nervous because the music is slightly different from previous releases but I’m excited to share what my vision is for this project and I really hope that people can connect to it.

RTT: One thing I noticed while listening to your Kindred Spirits EP is your evolution of sound. I’ve been following you since your No Pets Allowed days and every single track on your new EP has an incredible cinematic feel. Is that something that was intentional on your part or just another part of your sound evolution?

I think long term I always had cinematic elements but I think it was more focused on this project.

RTT: What would you say was the most challenging part of writing and putting together this EP?

I think the hard thing about putting out the EP which is kind of like a small version of an album, is to make sure that everything is consistent. I wanted to make sure that every song on this EP had a consistent theme lyrically, sonically and cinematically. I think that it was challenging in a good way because it helped me really focus on the idea. I think that after writing for 2 years, I was really able to hone in on that concept.

RTT: The first track off the EP, “This Space In My Heart is For You” is beautiful and has a timeless feel to it, what was your writing process for track?

It’s the intro to the EP and I wanted to properly introduce the project with a song that reflects the core parts of the project which is beautiful music that feels grand and cinematic.

RTT: You’ve been tour a lot this past year and your Kindred Spirits bus tour just started. How do you manage to stay sane and grounded with such a busy schedule?

I still live at home with my parents so I think coming back home to the suburbs and being away from loud spaces like venues or being around people and being in a quiet area for 5 out of the 7 days a week really helps me out.

RTT: I just checked out your first pic from the tour and your stage set up looks sexy and out of this world. What kind of impact were you going for with the design?

It’s cool because once you get to see the visuals and everything, it looks like I’m inside in the visuals. So I’m really hoping that people can really get lost at the show and be really immersed not just in the music but the environment that we’ve created on the stage.

RTT: Do you have any tour or pre show rituals?

I just like to relax in the green room and I don’t do anything too crazy. I just try to focus on the show that I’m about to put on.

RTT: Recently we started a series called The Inbox where we showcase some of the best up and comers in the music game. As someone that has successfully made the transition from being an up and comer on SoundCloud to having your music featured on commercials, mainstream radio and even sporting events, what advice can you give to producers that are just starting out?

Don’t have any crazy expectations. I’ve been making music for 8 years and only now have I started to see the results. Keep working hard, things will happen if you continue to preserve and press through and keep working on the music that you truly feel has value. If you keep doing that things will sort of naturally fall into place.

RTT: Are there any up and comers that you’ve listened to lately that should be on our radar?

I really like Chet Porter and he just recently put out a new track on Odesza’s Foreign Family label and I would say that he is someone to look out for.

RTT: How do you measure your own success?

If my music can really affect someones mood, make them feel happier, nostalgic or more youthful then I’ve done my job and thats what I consider success.

RTT: The last time I interviewed you, you said that you wanted longevity and for people to give a shit about you 10 years from now. Has that desire changed or transitioned into something else?

I still believe in that 100%. With this EP and to anyone that is a fan of it, I hope that they can really resonate with the music for the rest of their lives.

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