Q&A / Elijah the Alchemist

What or who inspired you to start making music?

• I originally got into music through my roots in dub and reggae and spent a while as a deep dub DJ around the UK. When lockdown hit the world, I saw Mayaewk with the SP404 and it was game over from then. Got myself an SP and started learning to play some instruments. 

What is your creative process like when making music?

• My creative process is split in two. If I am looking to get into a production session specifically then I’ll always start with drums and then spend my time noodling ideas and layering sounds over and over each other. The other half is me at the piano improvising in my downtime and ideas coming to me naturally which I will flesh out more either there and then or I’ll note any progressions or melodies down for the next production session. 

What is your favourite season and why?

• Summer, no questions about it. Sunshine, open water, high spirits. Winter is too gloomy for me and in the UK 3 out of the 4 seasons are basically winter so always looking forward to that summer break! 

What inspires you the most in your daily life? Why?

• A lot of the time its books and biographies of people that have achieved great things with their time. Always trying to push past the last achievement through work or knowledge. Knowing how finite time is, approaching the world as a scholar keeps me pushing forward every day.

If you could tell every person in the world one thing, what would it be?

• Focus on discipline and the results take care of themself. I feel like a lot of people are wrapped up in their end goal without creating habits and routines that allow them to fulfill that goal, in turn resulting in little to no progress. Everyone can achieve great things through discipline and persistence. 

Where do you feel the most centered and happy?

• Anywhere in the south Mediterranean, by the ocean. 

If you could relive one moment from your life, which would it be?

• I honestly don’t have an opinion on this one. I am too content with the way things have gone for me to wish to relive any moment. I would however love to visit Jamaica again and explore the wonders of the island in more depth. 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

• Focus on the process and not the results, show up and stick to the plan and the results take care of themselves. 

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Why?

• Perhaps one of the Canary Islands or Southeast Asia, Thailand, or Vietnam. Good food, good weather, cleaner oceans, and more of a laid-back attitude towards life. 

Aside from lofi/chill beats, what is your favourite music genre?

• Bossa Nova all damn day!! 

What do you wish you could tell yourself five years ago?

• Relax a little, keep your foot on the gas but don’t spend so much time worrying about things. You’ll get everything you ask for and hit all the goals you set.

In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?

• Perseverance and earning confidence through competence. I’ve always felt that confidence is something that is earned through achievement. It takes competence to achieve things and it takes perseverance to push toward the achievements. Combining these together creates a strong build of character and can lead to achieving things that seem far out of reach by taking small steps one at a time. 

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

• Somewhere between Boombap and Chillhop.