Meet Jay Ariean

We were lucky to catch up with Jay Ariean recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jay, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I believe that uniqueness is a superpower. You have your own individual perspective and point of view that no one else in the room will be able to speak or create from. As a black, queer artist, I often feel like a spectacle but embracing those differences and learning how to be comfortable with sticking out was the key to unlocking my potential. It’s a gift to stand out in a world where most people feel like they have to blend in.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I make music for late night drives, weekends at the club, walks in the city, and or whatever other purposes it may need to serve. My music is for anyone who needs an escape into fantasy. My sound is rooted in club culture and dance music, but I like to experiment with different genres to create a sound that is unique to me. I’m actually working on my debut EP that will be titled 𝘙𝘖𝘎𝘜𝘌. It has a dark, moody atmosphere with tracks that will touch on freedom and escapism. The first single for the project titled 𝘐𝘕𝘋𝘐𝘊𝘈 is a sexy, futuristic dance record and I am SO proud of it. The song comes out on Friday, July 4th and I plan on releasing the full EP by the end of the summer, so stay tuned for that!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I would say my dedication, my tenacity, and my passion are three qualities that have led me to where I am today. Making art professionally is not for the weak and it certainly isn’t for those that don’t truly love what they do. I find myself often discouraged and or frustrated with my journey, but I don’t see myself doing anything else. I love music and no matter how many times circumstances may try to knock me down, I’m always going to get back up because this is my heart’s work. Make sure that you’re in it, whatever that may be, for the right reasons. A lot of people go after careers like this for fame, money, etc. and end up extremely disappointed when the success isn’t immediate. If your heart’s not in it, what’s the point?

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

This is something I’m still learning to do: don’t be afraid to take a break. You have all the time in the world; trust me. Take it from someone who feels like they’re running out of time on the daily, haha. Take that bubble bath, Watch that movie. Sit in that pool. Have that drink. Go out with your friends. Personally, it can become hard to create from a cathartic place when I haven’t allowed myself a little time to go away and experience life. Your mind and body need those moments to recharge so that you can come back to your work with a fresh mindset. Don’t feel guilty or lazy for just needing a second to decompress. TAKE THAT BREAK. You deserve it. Everything will be fine.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jayariean
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/jayariean
• Twitter: https://x.com/jayariean
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jayariean
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jayariean