JiLLi taps into the ‘power of authenticity’ with her latest single, ‘Perfume’ [interview]
In this Exron exclusive interview, we got the chance to meet with the rising producer, vocalist, and songwriter JiLLi. The LA-based artist has landed on the scene with a motivated attitude, appearing as a multi-faceted talent, showcasing an expansive skillset as she builds her catalog of work.
JiLLi has already made waves in the electronic dance scene by performing at one of the most beloved bass festivals in the US, Lost Lands 2023. When not on stage, you can find JiLLi instructing at Icon Collective Music Production School, “the top music school in Los Angeles & Online,” according to its website.
JiLLi is also affiliated with Black Octopus Sound, which specializes in creating royalty-free samples, presets, and plugins. The production company is entirely made by producers for producers. To make use of her compelling vocal talents, JiLLi releases bold sample packs for producers worldwide to utilize. These vocal stacks are another testament to her admiration for music production – allowing producers to bring back lyrical connection.
As she continues paving a promising way within Electronic Music, JiLLi no doubt maintains her status as an artist to keep watching closely, so today we’re thrilled to have JiLLi joining us for this exclusive interview. We talk about her musical journey so far, diving into some of her highlights, while looking ahead to uncover more about her upcoming projects and creative ambitions.
Exron Music: Hi JiLLi! How is everything going?
Hey! Everything’s great, getting really excited for this summer. There’s a lot to look forward to!
Exron Music: JiLLi, can you share with us your initial interest in music? What led you to study at the Icon Collective and pursue a career in the industry?
I’ve been a musician for as long as I can remember. I wanted to go to Icon to become self-sufficient in production, meet like-minded creatives, and be exposed to everything I could.
Exron Music: Reflecting on your musical journey, how would you say your experiences have shaped the music you’re creating now?
Going to a production school where the students were mostly making Electronic Music broadened my horizons. Being one of the only females and singers among the students, I leaned into my strengths as a songwriter and vocalist, learning the DAW in a hands-on way in addition to classes. I have so much gratitude for the people I worked closely with along the way – I witnessed what true passion for the process looks like beyond the frustration of learning something new. Every teacher, mentor and collaborator had a huge impact on my skills. Even now being an instructor, I’m still constantly learning – it’s a blessing to constantly be surrounded by such a vast knowledge base and incredibly talented people.
Exron Music: With the music industry constantly evolving, how do you stay true to your unique voice while also adjusting to new trends and styles?
I’m growing and evolving with the industry, discovering new takes and styles I want to try on every day. The process is never-ending! I try to pull inspiration from what’s happening and apply my own style rather than replicate what’s already being done. Staying open to anything with awareness of what I’m drawn to is the best way I could describe it 🙂
Exron Music: When it comes to your different vocal packs, can you tell us about your inspirations behind these, what made you decide to curate different collections and what has the response been like?
After seeing the response from my first sample pack, I was so inspired by how many different ways one topline could be transformed and utilized. As an instructor at Icon, I’m always demonstrating how to manipulate lyrics and cadences into different pockets or rhythms and explain the songwriting process on social media. My ‘aha!’ moment came when I took one set of lyrics and applied it to three different chord progressions, the endless variations and possibilities are what inspired my second pack, ‘Rainbow of Emotions’ to have three different versions of each of the 11 tracks, whether the key, emotional delivery, cadence or lyrics are swapped – this pack is one of a kind and I cannot wait for it to be released!
Exron Music: How do you see yourself evolving as an artist, producer and songwriter? Are there any different genres or sounds that you wish to experiment with?
I’m always looking for something I can try for the first time. Leaning into the unknown is what inspires a versatile approach to creativity. I’m excited to continue to try everything that sparks my interest. I focused on a live band set sound for a while, then started producing blends of Bass Music and Indie Alt vibes, I have no idea what’s next!
Exron Music: Do you have any stand-out moments from your career so far?
I was really excited when ‘Passion Vocals’ hit the Top 100 Packs on Splice! Also, performing with Aidan (Muerte) at Lost Lands was one of my favorite memories ever. We were in the same class at Icon, and he produced both winning collab projects. It was a full circle moment when we got to perform our first song as an official collab on a stage like that.
Exron Music: How do you use social media to engage with your fans and share your music?
Part of my role at Icon and with Black Octopus is creating educational content. I love sharing my process and connecting with the world in that way 🙂 Also, I love capturing photos and videos of life which makes keeping everyone up to date pretty easy 🙂
Exron Music: Every artist has a song or project that holds a special place in their heart. What’s yours, and why does it mean so much to you?
Right now, it’s my most recent release ‘Perfume’. The song came from an insecure place, and I wanted to change the narrative to something that felt really empowering. It completely defies typical pop structure, not a single section of the track is repeated… but that’s how I felt like it wanted to be and I’m proud of how I honored that knowing it’s a backwards approach. This song was a really strong reminder of the power of authenticity.
Exron Music: Looking ahead, are there any major milestones you’re aiming to achieve in the next year or so in your music career?
Along with a summer of releasing music, I’m looking forward to getting behind the decks with my friend Jessy Covets! Our duo is called ‘SOS’ – which stands for ‘singers on strike’. Excited to see where this goes.
We wrap up our interview with JiLLi by thanking her for taking the time to look back at her career so far and, as she remains motivated to continue growing and evolving, learning new skills, and incorporating fresh styles into her sound, JiLLi surely remains a talent to take note of. So, make sure to follow her across social media to not miss out on any of her upcoming projects, releases, and performances.
JiLLi Online
Kathryn Allyn
My favorite thing in the whole world is music and after hearing "One" by Swedish House Mafia for the first time in 2014, I was hooked on EDM. Dance music has been a large part of who I am and will always be searching for new ways to incorporate it in my life. The pure bliss that I feel from live shows is a feeling I never want to stop chasing (iykyk). Some of my favorite artists are Flume, Rüfüs Du Sol, Mindchatter, Disclosure, Dom Dolla and Fred Again.. :)
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