Talking To: Jakspin
Jakspin’s recently released album ‘SATYA’ is a fictional soundtrack to ancient eastern teachings of spirituality. Across the 16 boom bap, lofi and jazzhop instrumentals the producer explores how we can all strive to find truthfulness within ourselves. A beautiful and meditative listen, this EP is a masterfully constructed body of work.
We sat down with Jakspin to learn more about the album and what influenced it.
You’ve just released a record called SATYA which is a fictional soundtrack to ancient eastern teachings of spirituality. Could you tell us a bit more about that?
I love meditating and I read a lot about the several teachings of Buddhism and shamanism. It's fascinating to me that all those different cultures and spiritual traditions have a lot in common. Especially the fact that they don't want you to believe anything. They challenge you to find your own truth. It's about experiencing instead of following. I tried to capture steps of this journey with each song.
You told us “Satya is the Sanskrit word for truthfulness. In this world where the truth is being manipulated and extorted we're all in need of truthfulness and we can strive to find it within ourselves.” What would you say are the biggest examples of truth being manipulated and extorted in the world at the moment?
I don't really understand what's going on in the world right now but I feel like we need more truthfulness in every aspect of our lives. Whether it's people like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson that would say anything to stir something up, or the way the media handles a person like Greta Thunberg and environmental topics. It's like they want us to focus on the wrong things while the important issues are left aside.
We're constantly being divided into groups like leftist and rightist with lots of media suggest anything leftist is evil, like caring and sharing is evil! Let's discuss whether it's okay to let people drown. Guess what? It's not ok! It's pretty much brain washing everywhere.
Do you think there’s a way for this to change?
I believe that if we try to find our deepest personal truth within we can look at the world with more compassion and empathy. And then we can shake off any unhealthy influence from the outside, all those fake beliefs they imposed on us. We're human beings, we're social beings, we need each other's help, that's pretty much what every community is about. I think this is a universal truth that everybody can understand if they're ready for it.
What’s your setup like? Are you mainly software or hardware based? Do you have any favourite bits of gear?
I'm a huge fan of hardware. I love synthesizers, drum machines and samplers of all kinds but I also work with software everyday. My favourite piece of gear right now is my trusty Yamaha MODX6.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Lots of things. I'm currently working on my next album that should be out in late January 2020. The fourth part of my Zodiax series is also coming soon. You can expect more videos on my YouTube channel and more sample packs on my website.
