Here & Now Recordings independent record label based in Woking, UK, releasing music by grammy nominated and hit artists

Here & Now Recordings, Cinematic Sounds from the world's finest composers, producers and artists. Releasing positive, uplifting and timeless music, founded by curator, record store buyer and journalist John Cunningham.

ROJAZ drops EP and shares influences

September 10, 2022  /  John Cunningham

London based singer songwriter and electronic music producer ROJAZ releases her debut In The Morning EP (featuring the infectious grooves of Unwind) and selects a playlist of influences

1. Vex Oh - Kaytranada

Kaytranda overall has been really influential in the mix of my tracks. I think his production is stunning and what was most influential about Vex Oh was his ability to play with rhythm and how well the kick drove the rhythm/hit in the mix without overshadowing the rest.

2. My Gemini - KLLO

KLLO is definitely the origins of my sound and one of the most defining influences in the beginning stages of developing the EP. What always strikes me the most about their production is their ability to create an eveloping atmosphere, their slow rising synths, their vocal riffs and how beautifully the vocals sit on the track and play with reverb and delay. This was definitely influential to every track in the EP but especially in the overall vocal sound.

3. After the rain - Kyson

The intimacy in the lyrics and sound of this track pulled me in from the first time I heard it and was definitely influential to songs like Say My Name and I Don't Want To Love Him where the lyrics and narrative depicted in the sound is a lot more vulnerable and personal.

4. Idontknow - Jamie XX

Pretty sure I listened to this on repeat hours on end when I first discovered it. There's something so hypnotic about this track that makes me want to move and the tempo increase in the middle of it blew my mind. Definitely influenced my willingness to go more underground and try some left-field production choices when making 'In The Morning' (track).

5. Weary - Solange

This isn't an obvious influence because it isn't a strictly electronic track. However - Solange's melodies really brought out my teenage years love for Jazz. Hearing her mix some electronica into her production and play with melodies influenced my own jazzy melodies and my desire to create a song that threw away traditional structure (I Don't Want To Love Him & In The Morning).

6. Jasmine - Jai Paul

I can't tell you exactly what it is - but his production is so unique that it draws me in. I find the contrast between his thin vocals and thick production very interesting.

7. Water Me - FKA Twigs

This was another track that grabbed me from the minute I first heard it. What makes this song special to me is how simple it is yet how well it makes use of the elements in there. In particular what struck me was how it uses the vocal samples.

8. You're Too Precious - James Blake

Any of James Blake's songs could be on my Top 10 but I love this one because of the rhythm in the claps, the vocal riff and use of pitch, and the dynamics in the track.

9. Jeanette - Kelly Lee Owens

I think this marks a transition towards a more underground and less vocally led palette of influences for me. Kelly's use of synths and her ability to keep the energy of the track going with them fascinates me and definitely influenced 'In The Morning'

10. 2 Far Gone - Moses Boyd

To me this song is some of the most spectacular musical work out there. The ability to blend a jazz piano with heavy garage influenced electronic production blew my mind.

ROJAZ In The Morning EP out now on Woking based label Here & Now Recordings.
tags / ROJAZ, London singer songwriter, London electronic music, ROJAZ Influences, ROJAZ In The Morning EP, Influences playlist