Emerging Artist Series: CJ PAGE

Hello CJ PAGE, how are you today, and what have you been up to lately?

Hello, thanks for asking. I’ve been ecstatic since the release of “Wayo”, and I still am today. I haven’t been up to any typical summer activities apart from watching the World Cup. England got eliminated, which made me feel a bit upset, but there’s no anger looking back because it was a valiant effort throughout the tournament.

For people discovering you for the first time, can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us where you are based?

I’d love to! My name is Can Jack Page. My name is a combination of the Turkish and English languages. My father is English, hence my middle name being “Jack” and my surname being “Page”. My mother is Turkish, and that’s where my first name, “Can”, comes from. It translates to “Life” or “Soul”. I’m 21 years old, raised and currently based in Istanbul. I’m studying Music at Istanbul Bilgi University, with plans to move to a different university in London next year.

“Wayo” marks both your Sound Avenue debut and your first-ever official release. How does it feel to finally share your first track with the world?

It is an incredible feeling to have my first-ever official release with such a respected label in the electronic music scene. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Sound Avenue and have my music recognised and approved by them. I would love to continue working together in the future.

Can you tell us when you first started producing music and what originally pushed you toward electronic music?

I have had a deep connection to music ever since my childhood, visiting many countries in Asia and Africa while doing humanitarian work, connecting with different people’s traditions around music and life. Those experiences affected me so deeply that I wanted a creative outlet to express what I felt, and that ultimately led me to start producing music at the age of 15.

I started out making Hip-Hop and Trap beats, then focused on Lo-Fi music for a while. What pushed me towards electronic music was not exactly a change in my taste. I have always enjoyed many different styles of composition. My decision to focus on electronic music came from wanting to DJ. I enjoy dancing and getting people to have fun. Electronic music allowed me to have a more complete experience, from the production side of music to the performance side.

Do you remember the first piece of equipment or software you used when you started making music?

Haha, yes, of course I do! I used the DAW LMMS. I was a clueless teenager when it came to producing music, so I Googled, “How to produce music for free on PC?” I clicked on the first YouTube video, and it was a production tutorial on LMMS. After figuring a few things out and learning more along the way, I switched to FL Studio. Right now, the DAW I use is Ableton Live.

Your sound on “Wayo” blends elements of downtempo and Afro House, but it also feels quite personal and not too tied to one specific trend. How would you describe your sound in your own words?

I like to make music that draws from my own unique experiences. I don’t want one specific trend or genre to define my sound. I try to create music that invites the listener into my mind and inner world while allowing them to interpret things from their own unique perspective.

If I’m not deeply connected to my emotions and experiences while working on a track, I cannot be original in the way my sound comes together. It cannot be a one-of-one listening experience if the idea isn’t derived from the inspiration of my own one-of-one experiences.

What inspired “Wayo”, and do you remember how the first idea for the track came together?

I was, and still am, really missing Africa. The last time I was there I was only 14. I was listening to a lot of Afrobeats and Afro House tracks, I guess as a way to cope with the longing to go back. That ultimately led to the production of “Wayo” coming to life one fateful evening.

While I was producing the track, my mother heard it and came into my room to say she loved it. Being a psychologist, she said the female vocals were so impactful that I should emphasise them throughout the track and make them the intro.

The track has a warm, organic groove and a very natural flow at 111 BPM. How did you approach the rhythm and energy of the track?

I wanted to keep the sounds organic. Most importantly, I didn’t want to overcomplicate the track. Keeping things simple in the way I approached the production led to the natural rhythm and energy of the track. As many great producers say, simplicity is key.

There is also a vocal hook that really stays in your head after listening. How important was that vocal element in shaping the identity of the track?

The whole concept and every element in the track were centred around the vocals. Every creative decision was made so the vocals could shine more and so the listener could feel their emotion and energy better.

The idea behind the arrangement was that you never feel overwhelmed during any section. No element overstays its welcome, including the vocals, so the progression of the track feels vividly striking.

You are based in Istanbul, a city with a very rich cultural and musical background. Does the city influence your music in any way?

As you said, this city has such a rich history, with many different civilisations having left their touch and imprint on these lands. I was born and raised here, so there’s no denying that the city influences my music in every way.

Learning about the city’s history and its historical landscapes makes you connect with and become inspired by the many different cultures around art and life as a whole. With Istanbul being the most populated city in Europe, the vibrant, high-energy life that flows through the city is also a huge influence.

Many emerging producers today are surrounded by trends, tutorials, plugins and sample packs. How do you try to keep your music personal and avoid sounding too formulaic?

I don’t necessarily think of those things as bad because they are important tools in a producer’s journey. I think if you are out of touch with your inner world, the music you make will feel generic and empty of feeling.

In the end, every single one of us has a story. The way you tell that story is what makes it interesting to others.

What felt like the easiest and most natural part of creating “Wayo”, and what was the most challenging part?

I’d say the easiest part was building the track around the vocals, as they provided so much inspiration and led the way in how the track was supposed to sound.

The most challenging part of any song for me is getting the mix to where it should be. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the process of mixing and mastering, it’s just that they take a lot of time to develop the ears and expertise for. I hope to get better every day while I continue to study Music Technology.

How did the connection with Sound Avenue come about, and what made you feel that “Wayo” was the right track for the label?

The connection first came when I submitted a different track to Sound Avenue and the team offered to release it on their sister label, “Bar Melodia”. I thought about the offer, but ultimately didn’t think it was the right fit because I really wanted to land a track on Sound Avenue. It’s a label that doesn’t showcase only one sound and has been the respected home to many different styles of music for over 15 years.

I submitted “Wayo” next. The rest is history.

As this is your first official release, what have you learned from the process of preparing music for release?

I learned that it requires consistent effort from both parties involved. I’m still coming up with ideas and creating more content for Instagram Reels and TikTok to promote “Wayo”.

The team at Sound Avenue has been incredibly transparent with their vision for the track, helping me with the mastering process, listening to my ideas and always responding quickly. Their efforts showed me how to effectively communicate, prepare for and execute the shared vision of a release.

What can listeners look forward to from CJ PAGE in the near future?

There will be many more releases to come, all of them prepared experimentally as I explore different sounds and make new memories to inspire me. Hopefully another release with Sound Avenue will come naturally.

I shall continue to improve my craft with dedication. DJing at venues is also one of the things at the top of my list. I’m excited to continue, grow and have fun together with people on this journey.

Stream/download his latest release: click here
Follow CJ PAGE here: Instagram | SoundCloud